Saving money on your electric bill is something all of us can get behind. With so much of our day-to-day activities relying on electricity, it’s important to mindful of how much energy we’re using and what practical steps we can take to reduce our costs. And with a little knowledge and creativity, you can make significant strides toward keeping your energy bill low. Check out these genius life hacks for saving money on your electric bill!
- Make the Most of Morning & Afternoon Sun
During the day, taking advantage of natural light that comes through your windows can drastically reduce your electric bill. During the morning and afternoon, open the blinds and let the sunlight in to lighten up your home. Not only can you rely less on indoor lighting but your home will also warm up naturally without the need to use air conditioning or a space heater.
- Cut Down on Hot Water Usage
If you’re looking to reduce your electricity bill, limiting hot water usage is a great place to start. Taking shorter showers, using cold water when washing your clothes, turning off the hot water heater when it’s not necessary and turning down the temperature are all great ways to save energy and money.
- Swap Out Incandescent Bulbs
Incandescent bulbs are widely regarded as energy inefficient and require much more energy to power than LED or CFL bulbs. Replacing your existing bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs could easily reduce your electric bill by up to 75% and help you save money.
- Invest in Smart Power Strips
One way to cut down on energy usage is to invest in a Smart Power Strip. Smart Power Strips are designed to be plugged into devices such as TV’s, computer monitors, and other electronics that essentially turn off the power strip when the device is not in use. This is a great way to track how much electricity your devices are using and in turn, save on your electric bill.
- Put Your Electronics on a Schedule
Other electricity efficient life hacks to reduce your electric bill include putting your electronic devices on a timer or a schedule-based routine. For instance, if you go to work in the morning, consider setting your air conditioning system to turn off while you’re out and go back to regular hours when you get home. This is a great way to optimize electricity usage and conserve energy.
- Unplug & Limit Usage of Unnecessary Devices
Small appliances like microwaves, fans, and hair straighteners all use electricity, so it’s important to be mindful when using them. Be sure to turn them off when not in use and unplug them so they aren’t using any standby energy. Additionally, limit the use of unnecessary electronics such as game systems and computers whenever possible.
- Take Advantage of Energy-Efficiency Programs
Finally, do your research on any energy-efficiency programs your state or local government may offer. There are a lot of programs in place to help reduce home energy bills, from solar tax breaks to energy audits and upgrades. Doing your due diligence to find out what programs are available to you can help you get discounts or money toward energy bills.
Saving money on your electric bill doesn’t have to be hard. With these genius life hacks, you can start reducing energy usage in your home and save money in no time. From swapping out incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs to taking advantage of energy-savings programs, there’s no shortage of ways to reduce your electric bill. Start small and explore other creative solutions to limit electricity usage and enjoy lower energy bills every month.