So, you believe you’re doing everything right to cut energy bill expenses. You always shut off the lamps any time you leave the room. You only wash and dry full loads of clothing. You do not heat the oven for one potato. So, what’s going wrong?
You attempt to conserve and not be wasteful, but your bill still climbs continuously up, and through the roof it seems.. The dilemma is not so much that you are doing anything drastically wrong, but that you are not doing enough. There are a few lesser-known tips to reducing ones power bill. Let us take a peek:
Talk to the Energy Company
First of all, call the power company. It may look odd at first yet the electric company really does would like you to conserve and save costs on your bill. So, call them up or stop by their office where you can chat with them. Ask them for some suggestions. From free electricity inspections to specifically funded services, the electric company can assist you construct an approach.
Many areas offer significantly lower rates by using your energy within the off-peak hours. For example, if you are using your clothes dryer after a particular time, you could save a sensible sum of money. Depending on your town, the financial savings for off-peak usage will surely add up. Your electric company will be able to alert you to these savings.
Your power company can (in most cases) also tell you about a plan for budgeted billing. Even though using this method of payment may not be a money saving method in its self, it can help eliminate the seasonal fluctuations that sometimes has you struggling to pay the balance. When your bill is steady throughout every season, it makes your household budget a lot more economical. When the energy bill comes during a heavy usage time, it’s reassuring to know that you won’t need to postpone paying something else to keep the power activated. And, it could actually save you money by doing away with late fees you may accumulate by delaying some other bill.
Use Power Saving Technology to Cut Energy Bill Expenses
Another secret to cutting your energy bill is to use a programmable thermostat. These work just like little computers that tell your furnace and air conditioner what to do. For instance, if no one is home all day, you can program the thermostat to adjust itself to conserve energy. You don’t have to cool or heat the house as much if no one is in it. Then, program it to return to a more comfortable setting shortly before everyone returns home. Most of the more modern thermostats give you a lot of features, including secondary schedules for weekends and holidays. Of course, you can always manually override the preset programs, but it’s nice to know that once you leave the house, the thermostat will remember to turn the heat down even when you forget.
Light bulbs are another hidden money-saving gem when you know what to do. Yes, you want to shut off lights when you’re not using them. We all know this saves money. But, did you know that changing even five or six of your most used light bulbs from incandescent to compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, can save you even more money? I know many people react negatively to this suggestion, but take another look. You can now buy CFLs that look and act very much like incandescent light bulbs. You don’t have to settle for a harsh piggy-tail look anymore. And, at an estimated $70 a year savings with just five bulbs replaced, you might consider looking for even more places you can use a CFL. And when you buy, don’t forget to look for programs that offer rebates and other incentives.
I have mentioned some of the info here before, but I felt that it needed another mention because this is something everyone can use a little extra savings with. Please be sure to subscribe below to get my free ebook that is packed full with tons of ways to save money.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Our electric bill is super high this summer, and I don’t even want to see next months! It’s been over 100 degrees constantly for at least 2 weeks.
Michelle recently posted..My Money Obsession/Confession
What I like about CFL light bulbs is that it is a money saving idea that really costs no time at all.
JP @ My Family Finances recently posted..How Does the Average Family Budget Compare to Yours?
These are some great tips. Our energy prices have gone through the roof here recently and it’s be extremely frustrating (they raised prices 15% last month…and that’s on top of the 20% they did last year). I’m not really sure how they can get away with raising the prices as much as they do but we have to deal with it I guess.
Jason @ WSL recently posted..Saving a Down Payment For a House
I’m fortunate that I don’t need to deal with any energy savings costs. It’s all included in the condo fees. Sure I pay a fixed amount every month, but savings during the winter heating season alone are worth it.
Eddie recently posted..What Dating Etiquette? Coupons Are Sexy On First Dates!
Great tips. It’s insane how much energy costs have risen. While this winter was nice and cheap due to it being so warm it’s the exact opposite this summer with the extreme heat.
Sean @ One Smart Dollar recently posted..Chase Slate Credit Card Review – Free Balance Transfers for 15 Months
I’d love to see everyone’s electric bills this summer due to the usage of A/C.
It’s been a hot summer, and it will only get hotter.
Eddie recently posted..Younger Men Prefer Mature Women
I must say to replace the old electronics appliances with new and energy efficient appliances.
Peter@finance care recently posted..The Future of Saving for Retirement