Growing electricity bills are an excellent source of discontent and financial uncertainty. In the entire year of 2020 27 percent of US households said they were having difficulty paying their electric bill , while they also reported that they had kept their homes at a risky temperature. As per Air Conditioning And Heating Contractors, out of the typical bills for utilities for an US home, heating is the top of the list at 29% while cooling accounts for 13 percent.
With the dramatic changes to the weather, it appears that regardless of how hard you try you’re not able to cope with the escalating electric costs. However, don’t despair for now! There’s plenty that you could do in order to cut down your electric bills. Like, for instance changing to the smart thermostat or AC controller to automate cooling and heating could save you lots on your bills.
Learn more about the reasons the electric bills are high and what you can do to bring it under control. By following these suggestions, you’ll be saving enormous amounts of money within a matter of minutes!
The causes of a high electric Bill
Although you might think that you’re doing your best to conserve electricity You may have developed some unfavorable habits that have caused your electric bill go up.
1. You’re Lazy About AC Maintenance
The cost of air conditioning is 17% of all electrical bills for homes. In climates with higher humidity this number rises to 27 percent. In the absence of maintenance, this figure increase exponentially. If, for instance, you’re AC filters have become blocked, then your AC will perform harder to achieve the same amount of cooling, which means more energy. However, Cielo Breez smart AC controllers will help you keep an eye on the cleanliness of your air filter by sending you timely reminders. Furthermore Los Angeles AC Repair can help you avoid costly repairs in the future.
2. You are the one who uses the most energy You use the most energy during Peak Times
If you’ve been wondering about why your electric bill is excessive despite having a limit on the amount you use, consider when you use the most energy. Electric companies have higher prices at peak times in order to cut down on excessive energy consumption. If your electric bill isn’t too much it is possible to lower your electric bill by not using your electronic devices in the same way as all the other people!
In summer, the peak hours typically fall between 12 to 6 p.m during which everyone is running their air conditioners to full. By limiting your usage at this time or setting your AC at the higher temperature, could be beneficial and will reduce your electric bills.
In addition to the air conditioning unit do not use the vacuum, washer or dishwasher as well as other appliances during peak times to keep your energy usage within a reasonable range.
3. You’ve got leaky Doors and Windows
Doors and windows are the primary areas of leakage of heat. Even if your walls are properly insulated, if the caulking or weatherstripping on your windows and doors has been damaged your heating or air conditioner will be unable to perform its job correctly. In the end, it will have to work harder which will result in a higher energy bill.
4. Your home is not adequately insulated
Inadequate insulation might be the reason for why your electric bill is high. In general, heat is transported from areas that have more temperature to those with lower temperatures. Therefore, the it is in the indoors trying to go to the outdoors during winter. In the end, your air conditioner is struggling to keep a cool temperature in summer and your furnace is unable to keep a warm temperature during winter.
A good insulation will stop the transfer of heat via convection, conduction, and radiation, making it simpler the air conditioning system to keep the temperature you want to maintain. The AC doesn’t have to work overtime to cool or heat your space. This reduces energy consumption and helps avoid an expensive electric bill.
If you’re convinced of the advantages of insulation, but aren’t sure where to start or how to begin take a look at our 101 guide to insulation for homes.
5. Your Home is Cool Even when you don’t need to
A majority of people only have one or two rooms at a. But, they do use air conditioning for their entire home. This is a huge waste of energy, and results in huge costs. To avoid this issue it is possible to create HVAC zones. HVAC zones utilize dampers that allow you to partition your home into different zones and set different temperatures for each. Your AC won’t have to run around in order to cool the entire house.
6. If you have an old HVAC System or any other Appliances
Older air conditioners consume an astonishing amount of energy. An average air conditioner could last for about 10 years. As they age, specific components, like the compressor, get less effective. Older compressors require a lot more energy. Since Energy Star regulations become stricter and more stringent, modern air conditioners have an incredibly higher EER and SEER ratings than older models.
In addition to air conditioners older appliances, for instance washing machines or refrigerators, are huge energy hogs. Wear and tear from natural wear and tear can reduce the effectiveness of older appliances and they are required to work indefinitely and draw a lot of power. As technology advances, modern appliances are getting more efficient. An old refrigerator uses 35 percent higher energy usage over the Energy Star certified refrigerator. Eliminate appliances when they’ve passed the point of their usefulness. If you don’t, you’ll pay more money on power costs.
7. You have a spare fridge
A lot of people keep an extra fridge in the basement, but they don’t realize that this could be the reason their electricity bill is high. Even if you’re not using the refrigerator, it will consume energy if it’s connected. If your fridge that you have spare is empty, think about whether you’ll require it. If you have to keep an additional fridge, make sure that it’s always full of things, or disconnect it.
The next time you are wondering why your energy bill is so expensive take a look at the fridge that is in the basement, and think about changing it.
8. You run your hot water Heating System at a Extremely High Temperature
The temperature of your water heater could be the reason why you’re electric costs are high. Water heaters are responsible for around 14-18% of electric bill. This means you can reduce your electricity bills by reducing your water heater expenses. Unfortunately, most households set their water heaters at an elevated temperature than is needed.
Most water heaters have an initial temperature of 140F. But, experts advise that it is safe to set them at an temp of 120F. Set your water heater to an lower temperature can help lower the energy use and also prevent burns and scalding injuries!
Another innovative method to save the water heater bill is to insulate it by blanketing it with water. This can prevent losses of heat as well as the heater won’t require a lot of effort to maintain the desired temperature.
9. Dryers are often used frequently.
Utilizing the dryer for each load of clothing is one of the main causes of the high cost of electricity. A simple clothesline can make a huge difference in the way you reduce your electricity bill. Every hour spent using the dryer can cost between 24-72 cents. Therefore, if you utilize your dryer for each wash, the expense will quickly increase. To save money If the weather is nice you can turn off your dryer, and instead hang your laundry outside for drying. Your wallet will be grateful!
10. You Still Use Incandescent Light Bulbs
If your home is still using traditional incandescent bulbs, they could be the cause of your high electric bills. Incandescent light bulbs use much energy when in comparison the LED bulb. According to estimates, an family of the average could cut their energy bill by $225 a year by switching to LED light bulbs. Not only are LED bulbs less expensive however, they’re extremely long-lasting. If you decide to invest in them and you’ll not have to replace your lighting fixtures for a long time. What are you waiting to do? Switch today!
11. You use your dishwasher and Washing Machine Often
Appliances like dishwashers or washing machines are known energy-hogs. In addition to their energy use and use, they also consume a lot of hot water increasing the amount of water you use. The good news is that making savings on dishwashers and washing machines is not difficult. It’s just a matter of being more cautious. For instance, you should never let your dishwasher run for just only a tiny amount of dishes. Instead, let it wait to completely fill up and then run it at the time in the course of your day.
Also, you don’t have to wash your machine each day. Instead, schedule a day or two each week to complete all of your laundry for the week. Simple and simple steps will significantly reduce the cost of electricity.