10 Tips To Save On Your Power Bills!
Watch my full YouTube video on this topic here!
With the current high levels of inflation we’re all dealing with right now, every little bit we can save helps! Power bills have to be paid but there is a lot of small things you can do to cut down on your heating and cooling expenses. Read on for more!
Improving Home Efficiency
1. Insulate, insulate, insulate! You can go the DIY route, but for best results consider hiring an experienced insulation installer to do the work for you. Look for a company with good reviews and free onsite estimates. Instead of just spray-in insulation, consider installing what’s called a radiant barrier in your attic, which helps block heat from coming in during summer and keeps it from escaping in winter.
2. Install storm doors and weatherstripping around your doors, and seal gaps and cracks around your home with caulk or spray foam.
3. Install thermal curtains or blinds (or both) at all your windows, especially in rooms where the sun streams in during the hottest part of the summer. If your budget allows, consider replacing old, leaking windows with double or triple-paned glass windows.
Upgrading Appliances & Equipment
4. Check with your energy company to see what rebates they offer for purchasing Energy STAR appliances to replace your current ones, as they need replacing.
5. Keep your furnace, air conditioner, hot water heater, and any other equipment serviced regularly (typically twice a year in the spring and fall). This helps catch small issues before they become big ones, and prevents serious problems like HVAC drain line clogs before they start.
Utility Usage Habits
6. Find out if your electric company charges different amounts for peak and off-peak energy use (“Time of Use Rates”), and plan some of your energy use accordingly (i.e., running the dryer, charging an EV, etc.). It varies by state, but typically off-peak electric hours are 10 PM to 6 AM. Where we live, peak use-hours are 3 PM to 6 PM which is the most expensive time of day to do things like running the dryer.
7. Set your thermostat on a daily schedule so your home is comfortable while you’re there and perhaps slightly warmer/cooler when you’re at work. Watch out for smart thermostats, as some of them can get knocked offline by power blips and can turn themselves off, resulting in dangerously hot or cold temperatures if you’re not home.
8. Use your ceiling fans or plug-in floor fans on hot days, and install ceiling fans if you don’t have them already.
9. Opt for cooler cooking options during summer, such as an outdoor grill or a slow cooker. If you run the oven on hot days it makes the HVAC have to work harder, so consider taking an oven break or do your baking during the morning when it’s not as warm.
10. Install LED lightbulbs around your home, and get smart power strips to help reduce issues with the “phantom load” that electronics can draw even if you’re not using them.
I have an entire playlist on beating inflation and saving money: you can watch it right here!