As the cost of electricity continues to rise, it’s important to find ways to cut the cost of your bills wherever possible. Unfortunately the majority of us don’t have the luxury of living off grid, therefore mains electricity is a necessity. The good news is that you can make substantial savings on the amount of electricity you use, very easily and cheaply. Here are some ways that you can do that.
Shop Around
It’s easier than ever to compare the cost of gas and electricity with the growth of online comparison sites. They are invaluable when it comes to checking the cost of gas and electricity from all the suppliers in your area, and are very easy and quick to use. If you haven’t done this yet then give it a go – you may be surprised at how much you could save simply by changing supplier. And many companies allow you to sign up online too – making the process pretty much hassle-free.
Be Energy Efficient
Replace any inefficient light bulbs in your home with energy saving light bulbs. Fitting a single energy saving light bulb in your home can save around $5.00 a year and replacing them all could save the average household up to $70.00 a year.
When you replace any electrical appliances, be sure to choose those which are more energy efficient as this has a big impact on electricity consumption around the home. Energy efficient appliances may cost an extra few dollars to buy, but they will save you a lot of money; you can save up to $70 a year by replacing your old fridge with a new A rated model and over $100 if you replace your washing machine.
Do not leave your TV, stereo, microwave, DVD player, printer, computer or any other appliance on standby. Some appliances use just as much electricity when they are on standby as they do when they are turned on. So if you’re not using it, turn it off at the mains.
Stop Using Unnecessary Appliances
Dishwashers literally eat up electricity. Your dishwasher will cost around $3-$4 per cycle depending on the make, model and age of the machine. If you’re using it once a day, or even twice as some people do, then you are literally throwing money down the drain. Buy a good pair of rubber gloves and was the pots by hand. Not only will you save electricity but you’ll use a lot less water, too.
Stop using your tumble dryer. They are extremely expensive to run and are not necessary for everyday use. You may need to use it in emergencies, but automatically throwing all the wet washing into the dryer is just lazy. Get a clothes line rigged up in the garden; washing that is dried outside smells lovely and fresh – and wind power is free! Also, invest in a clothes dryer so that when it’s impossible to get your washing outside on due to bad weather, you can dry it indoors without using the tumble dryer. If you do need to use the dryer, then ensure the clothes are as dry as possible after washing by putting them through a fast spin so that there is minimum excess water. This will reduce drying time.
Insulate and Reduce Waste
Replace your furnace filter at least once a year, more if possible. Filters get clogged up with dust and dirt which means that it’s more difficult for the air to pass through and your furnace will have to work a lot harder to heat up your house.
Check your doors and windows for drafts and if you find any make sure you get rid of them. If the cold air is getting in then the warm air is getting out. Make sure your attic is suitably insulated, warm air rises and if there’s nothing to trap it then it will just disappear through the roof. If you have a cellar, insulate the ceiling in there too. Make sure the material you use is at least six inches thick. Properly insulating top and bottom will ‘sandwich’ the heat in the living areas of the house. Close any air vents in rooms that you don’t use and keep the doors to these rooms closed.
By changing your habits you will save a considerable amount of electricity and be able to significantly reduce your bills.