Utility bills are one of those facts of life. No matter what you do, you’re going to have to pay for power and water. Since living off the grid isn’t a realistic or desirable option for most, here are thirty tips to help you keep those bills as reasonable as possible.
Energy Consultation
You should start by talking to a professional about your energy consumption. An official energy audit can show you things you might miss, like gaps in your home’s insulation, drafts, and other similar data points. You can often get a discounted or even free energy audit from your electric company.
Efficient Work
Do you work from home? If so, consider using a laptop for tasks that require less power. Your desktop computer uses a lot more electricity than a laptop (even when it’s plugged in!) and can cost you a sizeable amount of money on your power bill each month.
Streaming Devices
Similarly, if you use video game consoles like a PlayStation or Xbox for streaming services, you’re using more power than if you used a smaller device like a Roku or Apple TV. These smaller streaming sticks run on much simpler technology—use them instead of burning lots of power with your living room’s gaming device!
Thermostat
This one is going to make some of you mad, but you need to hear it. Your thermostat doesn’t need to be set so cool in the summer or so hot in the winter. It’s a good idea to keep it around 68 degrees in the winter and 74 in the summer. Not only are those temperatures perfectly comfortable, but anything more than that is just wasting money on your power bill.
Lightbulbs
Do you still have incandescent bulbs in your home anywhere? If so, it’s time to replace them with energy efficient LEDs. It might seem like a small thing, but you’ll save a ton of energy with LEDs and they won’t burn out (and need to be replaced) as often as their incandescent counterparts.
Aging Appliances
Similarly, if you’ve got older appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, or dryers, you might want to replace them soon. The cost of getting new appliances could be quickly offset by the energy savings you’ll get from the modernization and upgrade.
Shower
How old is your shower head? It might be leaky and inefficient, wasting water when you don’t realize it. A new shower head will not only be more comfortable for you, as it will direct the water more efficiently, it’ll also prevent your water bill from being so high!
Commode
Does your commode run at night or need to have the handle shaken to stop running continuously? If so, it’s time for a new one. Low flow toilets use far less water than conventional alternatives, too, making them doubly good for your water bill—and the environment.
Insulation
Are there any gaps in your home’s insulation? Consider weather sealing your windows and exterior doors to keep your HVAC system from running too hard during bouts of extreme weather. This will also help your HVAC system stay in top shape for longer!
HVAC Service
Speaking of the shape of your HVAC, how long has it been since your system has been checked by a professional? Your HVAC unit needs maintenance, and it’s likely already time to get it serviced—or, better yet, replaced with a new one!
Laundry Tips
If you’re running laundry multiple times per week, consider consolidating your loads to reduce your water and energy consumption. If you need to wear uniforms to work or practice, consider getting a few duplicates so you don’t need to wash the same one over and over every day.
How Bright?
Do you usually keep all the lights on in your home throughout the day and night? It’s best to only use overhead lights when you’re in a room, and to keep them all turned off when you’re not being active in a room. In fact, when you get settled in for the evening to relax and watch TV, why not just cut off all the overhead lights and use indirect, energy-efficient lamps for a cozier atmosphere?
When You’re Gone
If you keep the TV, lights, and thermostat all on when you’re not home, it’s time to reconsider this behavior. You can keep your thermostat a little lower (or higher, depending on the season) when you’re not there, and there’s no reason to have the TV just running in the middle of the day when you’re gone.
Solar Panels
You could cut down on your power bills slightly by getting solar panels installed on your home. On a clear day, you could end up creating more power than you use. In some cases, you could even generate enough power to sell some back to the power company, earning you a nice little discount on your bill.
Internet Bills
If you’re paying too much on your internet bill, there are a few ways to get it down. For one, you could just call your internet service provider and ask them what kind of incentives or discounts they have. If they don’t have any, look into switching to a more affordable provider.
Energy Vampires
One surefire way to get your energy bill down is to keep your eyes peeled for energy-inefficient appliances and devices. Do you leave chargers and passive appliances plugged in all the time? They could be sapping extra power when you’re not even using them.
Dripping Faucets
Likewise, listen out for drippy faucets or constantly running toilets. These issues will add up over the month to significantly increase your water bills. Get these drippy faucets and running commodes addressed by a plumber to avoid a nasty surprise on your monthly bill.
Basements
If you have an unfinished basement that you can access from your home, it could be dramatically impacting your energy bill. Your home’s HVAC system will try to heat or cool this space during the extreme times of the year, so if it’s not properly insulated it could cause some major issues.
Gas Appliances?
Do you have a gas bill? You might be able to consolidate your bills by ditching your gas-powered appliances in favor of electric alternatives. These won’t work when the power is out, sure, but they’re a great option for saving money as they’re much more efficient.
Off Peak Hours
If you have many devices you need to charge up, consider saving them for the evenings or weekends. Many power companies charge less for energy consumption that takes place during off-peak hours. This could save you a lot of money at the end of the month if you just plan ahead a bit!
Weatherizing Your Home
Don’t let extreme cold or heat catch you off guard. Weatherstrip your windows, make sure your entry doors have good weather seals, and get your insulation checked. A bit of preparation goes a long way when it comes to heating and cooling your home! You could even invest in energy efficient doors and windows.
Watch Out for Freezing Pipes
When winter weather comes, be mindful about your pipes. Don’t let the cold freeze them, even for a minute, because expanding ice in a pipe can cause damage ranging from complete pipe failure to insidious cracks and drips in areas you don’t normally see.
Standardized Bills
Some utility companies allow you to sign up for standardized bills. These aggregate your power or water usage and allow you to pay a set amount each month based on that average. This is particularly helpful during the coldest and hottest months, as you can pay a lower overall amount through the summer and winter.
Cooking at Home
If you’re going to cook at home, try to mitigate the impact it has on your HVAC system. For instance, when you’re cooking in the summer, consider grilling outdoors or cooking at night so you’re not making your AC unit work overtime to cool your house down.
Showering vs Baths
If you like taking baths, consider limiting the number of times per week you draw so much water. Showering can be much more efficient, as it uses less water than bathing. Sure, a nice candlelit bath is relaxing, but it can be costly on your water bill to indulge in that luxury every night.
Water Heater
Is your water heater aging? If so, it could be costing you more money on both your power and water bills. Newer, more energy-efficient variants can not only save you a ton of money but also offer hotter water and a faster time to heat up what’s in the tank. That’s a win-win!
Electric Cars
If you charge an electric car at home, remember to stick to a consistent off-peak hour charging schedule. Trying to charge your car during peak hours can result in you spending significantly more on your power bill, somewhat offsetting the financial incentive to own an EV in the first place.
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Non-Powered Entertainment
You don’t always have to turn on the TV or power up the game console just to find some entertainment at home. Consider playing board games and card games, reading a book, or just hanging out with friends and family. This is completely free and will help you conserve electricity!
Read More: 5 Reasons You’ll Regret Buying a ‘Smart’ Appliance
Stay Vigilant
Don’t just be content with one inspection, either. Make sure you’re constantly auditing your home’s energy efficiency so you have a good handle on what’s working and what isn’t. Keeping your home ship-shape is a constant process, so vigilance is the best way to keep things running smoothly!
Read More: 20 Ways to Increase Your Energy
