Almost everyone’s utility bills are a little too high than they prefer. Certain factors you are unaware of can be raising your electrical, heating, or water consumption, but they can be addressed once you know about them.
1. Get New Wiring
Wiring from 10 years ago isn’t as effective as modern ones. If your house is a bit old, it might be time to ask an electrician to line your home with new wiring. Faulty wiring can increase your electrical consumption as well as create a fire hazard. Appliances like refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers require dedicated circuits, and older wiring can reduce their efficiency.
2. Insulate your Home
You can save on heating and air conditioning if you have adequate insulation. Proper insulation makes sure the weather outside doesn’t influence the inside of your home. Merely insulating your ceiling can drastically reduce heat loss, making your house more comfortable during winters. A well-insulated house can consume up to 30 percent less energy, whether for cooling or heating.
3. Switch to Modern Appliances
Because of regulatory standards, new appliances are much more energy-efficient than older models. Make sure your refrigerators and air conditioning units are using inverter technology. Switching from a non-inverter to an inverter model on just these two appliances can cut your electricity bill by up to 30 percent.
4. Cut your Shower Time
Everyone takes a little too long in the shower. 8-15 minutes should be enough time for a shower, limiting your shower time saves a lot of water and makes your housemates a lot happier. Put your phone down somewhere inside the bathroom and play a song or two to keep track of the time. If you want to save on water, you can install a greywater system for your showers and washers. These systems can cost $2,000 or more, but you can opt for simpler diversion systems that only cost around $500.
5. Use the Dishwasher
You might think you’re saving water by manually washing the dishes — you’re not. Dishwashers use less water than hand washing, saving more than 5,000 gallons of water each year. Cleaning a full load of dishes by hand can consume up to 27 gallons, while Energy Star Certified dishwashers will only consume around 3-5 gallons. If you want additional savings, you can air-dry your dishes instead of using the dry function of your dishwasher.
6. Stay Cool
Don’t turn the heat up too much. You can layer clothing or use thicker blankets if it isn’t too cold and reserve the heating when the temperature drops 5-10 degrees below what you’re comfortable with. A little bit of cold is good for you. It causes your body to burn fat to maintain your core body temperature, making you a little bit leaner.
7. Go Solar
Solar isn’t for everyone. However, elevated cities like Salt Lake City and Denver or desert cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix are ideal for solar panel systems. With the plummeting prices of solar panels and the 30 percent federal rebate, a solar power system that can power a house’s entire electrical need will cost less than $120 a month with the right financing plan.
You don’t need to gripe about the cost of your utility bills every month. Just take measures to control your consumption and spend a few dollars to make your house more energy-efficient.
