The only thing worse than the winter is the high electricity bill that comes with it. Living on your own is undeniably an expensive luxury and finding ways to cut back on your electricity bill can seem impossible. The good news is that it’s actually quite easy. Often times, you just need to think outside of the electrical box and make smart choices. To get you started, here are some ways you can experience a lower electricity bill this winter without much of a change to your lifestyle.
Give Your Thermostat an Upgrade
The first place you should look when trying to reduce your electricity bill during the winter is your thermostat. Chances are, your electricity bill has spiked because you’re spending more energy trying to heat up your home. So, narrowing in on your thermostat can instantly slash down the bill and give you some savings. If you have an old thermostat, turn it down a couple of degrees and wear a sweater and slippers instead.
If you have the means to do so, consider upgrading your thermostat system altogether to a programmable one. Doing so can save you a significant amount of money on your electricity bill, as you can schedule times for your heat to turn on and off. So, when you’re not home or you’re sleeping, you won’t be heating your home for no reason.
Additionally, you may want to set up a timer on your furnace and water heater.
It’s All About the Time and Task
Most cities have now implemented an ideal schedule for electricity usage. This means that there are different times throughout the day where high-electricity-usage activities will cost more than usual because the city is trying to deter you from doing such tasks during these times.
While the peak times vary from city to city, they tend to range between 7 am and 7 pm. By adjusting your schedule to avoid high electricity usage tasks such as showering, laundry and turning on the dishwasher during these hours, you can a huge reduction on your electricity bill.
Prepare Your Home for The Winter Season
You would be amazed at how much electricity escapes your home through drafts and old weather-stripping. As such, it’s highly important to take an hour or two – and some elbow grease – to prepare your home for the chillier season.
This can be as simple as filling the cracks around the windows with caulking and replacing the weather stripping under doors to more elaborate tasks such as insulating your basement and attic. And you certainly don’t want to forget to keep your windows and doors tightly closed.
Clean Up the Heat
Something as simple as a dirty furnace filter, clogged lint dryer or an unmaintained heating system can cause your electricity bills to spike as more energy is needed to get the job done. Get in the habit of cleaning your furnace filter every two months to increase efficiency, remove the lint from the dryer after each usage and stay on top of your home maintenance. A good clean can work wonders for reducing your electricity bill.
Unplug Your Electronics When You Aren’t Using Them
You may not be using an electronic, but it could very well still be using electricity. There are various electronics that are known to soak up electricity, even if they’re not in use. So, start unplugging things such as your cell phone charger, hair appliances, computers, etc.
Make two thousand and seventeen the year you start saving! With these small changes, you can start slashing down your electricity bill in an instant. Better yet, you can use the savings you receive by treating yourself to a vacation… Far, far away where the weather is warm and the sun is shining.
