Many homeowners await their monthly bill in dread, knowing it will be higher than expected and wondering how they will afford it. Keeping the lights on is expensive enough, compounded by cooling and heating your home during the warmer and colder months. The wintertime poses even more of a challenge, as utility usage skyrockets once heating systems are activated.
However, your utility bill does not need to ruin your budget if you implement simple measures to reduce consumption. Here are five tips to keep your utility bill down to a minimum, making it more affordable:
Heating system
An outdated heating system is an energy guzzler that will cause a significant energy consumption increase. Designers of older systems were not thinking about energy efficiency at that time, as awareness about climate change and reducing our carbon footprint was not at the forefront of their minds. Homeowners should think about having someone install conservatory electric radiators from Technotherm, BestElectricRadiators, or Ecostrad iQ that minimize electricity consumption while maximizing heat production.
BestElectricRadiators has a superb range of electric radiators designed to warm any room, using minimal electrical input to deliver maximum heating output. These sleek, designer radiators will suit any room’s aesthetic and do not take up valuable room space. Once professionally installed, BestElectricRadiators deliver outstanding performance at reasonable prices.
Sealing doors, windows, and appliances
Doors and windows allow warm air to escape a structure during the winter months. Homeowners should prevent this by ensuring that they are kept shut at all times to avoid heat loss. Additionally, any cracks or gaps should be filled to prevent further air movement. Door sweeps are ideal for closing any gaps between doors and floors. The frames of both structures should be examined for cracks and fissures and filled with caulking or covered with weatherstripping tape.
Appliance doors, such as those on fridges, freezers, and dryers, have seals that keep them shut while they function. These plastic seals deteriorate as time passes. Once they are no longer working properly, they allow cold or hot air to escape the appliance, making it work harder to maintain the temperature set by its thermostat. Replacing door seals ensures that these appliances operate efficiently with minimal energy wastage.
Water heater temperature
Adjusting your water heater thermostat can reduce your energy consumption by significant amounts. Householders will barely feel any difference when they use the hot water, but homeowners will undoubtedly see it when their utility bill arrives.
Another energy-saver for water heater usage is using a timer that activates a water heater at specific times, heating its contents. Homeowners can set their timer to produce hotter water at peak times when demand is high, such as mornings and evenings. The water can remain at a lower temperature for the remainder of the day, saving hundreds of dollars in energy consumption. More rudimentary timers switch a water heater on and off at predetermined times. This is an effective measure as the water heater’s contents remain hot for many hours after switching it off.
Appliance use
Any appliance that heats or cools something using a thermostat is a substantial energy consumer. Therefore, using these machines wisely can reduce your electricity consumption. Start with your washing machine and use programs that wash clothes for shorter periods at lower temperatures. Apply the same principle to your dishwasher, opening it immediately after the cycle ends to let dishes air dry.
While dryer use might become unavoidable during inclement weather, it is unnecessary when weather conditions allow for hanging laundry outdoors and letting the sun dry it. The summer months are ideal for this approach, although sunny days during the winter months should also provide enough heat to dry laundry.
Alternative energy sources
As part of any efforts to reduce your carbon footprint, consider converting to solar energy usage. Many state and local government authorities are offering residents financial support for their conversion to solar power. It is an expensive undertaking, but the potential savings are enormous and well worth the investment.
Solar power allows homeowners to harness the sun’s energy and use it to power their homes. Once their solar power is depleted, the house reverts to conventional electricity usage. In some climates and with sufficient solar panels, many households run on solar power and often do not use traditional electricity sources.