Sometimes the very idea of reducing your energy bill during the summer can cause you to feel uncomfortable. You might imagine experiencing an indoor climate that’s too warm for your taste. Fortunately, that isn’t necessarily what’s required to lower your energy bill this summer. There are many other options that won’t interrupt the enjoyment of your home. Let’s take a look at five interesting ways to reduce the energy bill.
Identify Unused Electronics
If you take a look around your home, you might be surprised by how many electronics are plugged in that you don’t actually use. This doesn’t mean you never use those electronics – it means you’re not using them at the present moment. Unfortunately, energy is wasted when electronics are plugged in, even if they are not turned on. The best thing to do is take a walk around your home to identify electronics that you never use and remove them permanently. It’s a way to declutter and reduce your energy bill at the same time.
You will also need to identify electronics that are plugged in because you use them periodically. These items should be unplugged whenever they are not being used. If not, they will continue to use energy around the clock. It will probably take some time for you to remember to unplug electronics after each use. Just keep in mind that there really is no such thing as turning something completely off unless it’s unplugged. If you’re not sure if something you own is using electricity, consider the fact that anything with light is probably increasing your energy bill. If you start to unplug on a regular basis and it doesn’t lower your energy bill, you’ll probably need an A/C unit replacement.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats are one of the best ways to reduce your energy bill. This is primarily because you can program the thermostat to use less heat when you’re not at home, or when you’re sleeping. It’s estimated that a programmable thermostat can reduce your energy bill by approximately 15 percent annually, especially when using energy-saving technologies. You might find that you need much less air conditioning at night. To get recommendations on a programmable unit, or help with your manual thermostat, you can put in a search such as “HVAC specialist near me” to find the right person to help.
Unplug Devices Often
Perhaps everyone is aware of how much we’ve all become addicted to our devices. The amount of time people spend on social media increases every year, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. There are a lot of reasons why you might consider unplugging your devices, and saving on energy is just one of them. While having to plug in your smartphone, laptop and desktop computer uses a lot of energy, it’s also the source of a lot of stress and reduces the amount of time you can spend with loved ones. Unplugging your devices can save you money, while also enabling you to build stronger relationships.
Optimize Washing Machine and Dishwasher Use
One of the ways that people waste a lot of money on their energy bills is by washing too many loads of clothes and dishes. This doesn’t mean you don’t wash your clothes or dishes as often; it means you wash a full load instead of half a load since it takes the same amount of energy to complete the wash cycle. It also means you won’t have to run the dishwasher or washing machine as often. Washing one less load of clothes a week is a great way to reduce your energy bill throughout the year. If you’re truly committed to lowering your energy bill, you can also use less hot water in the washing machine.
Manage Refrigerator Temperatures
Whether you have one refrigerator in your home or an extra freezer in your garage, there’s probably an opportunity to reduce the temperatures without putting your food at risk of spoiling. In fact, just turning the temperature down a notch can save you money without experiencing much of a change in the temperature. The best thing to do is to read the manual that came with your refrigerator to see what temperature is recommended. It’s worth testing since your refrigerator uses a tremendous amount of energy. Saving money on your energy bill simply requires thoughtful consideration and a few minor adjustments.