Saving money on your electric bill can be as easy as changing a few of your habits around the home. For example, did you know that the average US household spends between $200-250 every year just by leaving appliances switched on or in standby mode? Simply remembering to switch off at the plug and you’ve started saving already.
Cutting the size of your electric bill can be that simple and, with just a few small changes in your habits and some of the products that you use, not only will you save pounds but you will also be helping the environment as well.
Mostly, it’s just common sense that will save us money; installing energy-saving LED lights, reducing temperature settings and not leaving appliances on standby but we all take our energy for granted and often forget that even the little red standby light on the TV is telling us that we are spending money unnecessarily!
Here are a few simple tips to help cut the cost of your home electricity:
Turn down your heating thermostat
Turn down your heating thermostat. Reducing the temperature by just 1°C could cut your heating bills by 10%; a saving of around £65 a year for most homes. Closing your curtains will help too; it keeps out drafts and keeps in the heat and don’t forget to install draft excludes round doors and windows.
Don’t keep your hot water too hot
Do you really need your hot water that hot? Check your cylinder thermostat; it should be set at 140°F. You’re only going to add cold water to the bath anyway.
Install energy-saving LED Lights
Use energy-saving LED light bulbs throughout your home. They can last up to twenty times longer than a conventional light bulb and use less than 85% of the energy. Less time spent changing bulbs and less money spent on your electricity bill too.
Switch off what you’re not using
Why waste power on what you’re not using? Switch off appliances at the plug and don’t leave them on standby, switch off lights when you leave a room and don’t leave mobile phones and laptops on charge all night long – they don’t need it.
Only use what you need
Remember to use only the power that you really need by boiling only the amount of water you need and not the whole kettle every time and fill up the washing machine; one full load uses less power than two half loads. If it’s a nice day; dry the washing on the line and not in the tumble dryer; the wind costs you nothing!
