One of most popular New Year’s resolutions is to save more money. If that’s what you’re aiming for this year, we can help. We’ve come up with 6 simple fixes to help save you some money on your electric bill all year long.
- Use a programmable thermostat. Sometimes all it takes to rein in energy costs is a little more control over your thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to schedule heating and cooling to maximize energy savings. By using a programmable thermostat correctly, you could save as much as $180 per year on electricity, according to ENERGY STAR.
- Seal air leaks. Even if you’re doing everything possible to cut back on heating and cooling costs, those efforts may be wasted if you’re home isn’t properly sealed. Cracks and crevices around your home can let your conditioned air escape and run up your electric bill. Inspect your home and seal any gaps with caulk. For gaps around moveable areas, such as windows and doors, install weather stripping.
- Unplug. Appliances and electronic devices can still use power, even when they are off. That’s because they can continue to draw electricity from the outlet when they’re plugged in. The best way to stop this energy waste is to unplug them completely. By doing so, the average household could save $100 per year according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Replace your lightbulbs. If you haven’t already transitioned away from incandescent light bulbs, make the change for your wallet’s sake. LED and CFL light bulbs use significantly less energy and last much longer. Although LED lights are the most expensive option, they offer the biggest bang for your buck. LED’s use 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Start by replacing the most frequently used bulbs for the biggest impact.
- Turn your water heater down. Most water heaters come pre-set at 140 degrees, but that’s much hotter than you typically need. It not only wastes energy trying to maintain such a high temperature, it could also scald your hands. Turn the thermostat on your hot water heater down to 120 degrees to keep some money in your bank.
- Change your air filter. A clean air filter makes your HVAC unit run more efficiently. If you’re looking to save money, it’s best to change the filter as soon as you notice it’s dirty. Replacing a dirty filter can lower your AC’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent.