The easiest way to reduce energy bills is to cut back on spending and ensuring you aren’t wasting resources; however, sometimes people can be so focused on the little things that they forget about one of the biggest expenses in most people’s lives – which is energy bills.
To help you avoid unnecessary increases in your home’s energy bills, here are a list of seven mistakes that could be increasing your home’s energy consumption.
- Not Changing Light Bulbs
Often, people will buy the cheapest light bulbs they can find at the store; however, these cheap bulbs do not last very long and can end up costing more money in the long run. Instead of buying cheaper light bulbs, invest in higher-quality bulbs that will last longer and use less energy. Hiring smart energy providers like Alinta energy is also a good option. Alinta energy prices are justified and they’ve been in the energy market for several years.
- Using Old Appliances
If your refrigerator and freezer are decades old, it might be time to replace them with newer models that use less power and give off less heat, which lower cooling costs.
- Installing Energy-Star Appliances
If you are replacing your old appliances with new ones, ensure they are energy-star certified. This means that the appliance is energy efficient and will save you money in the long run.
Here’s how to shop for energy star appliances:
An Energy Star mark is a sign that the appliance uses less energy than standard models of the same type. Buy appliances with higher efficiency ratings, such as A++ or A+++ (the best available).
- Not Turning Off Electronics When Not In Use
You are wasting electricity if you leave your laptop, television, or electronics on standby mode when they are not in use. This does not mean you have to unplug them every time you walk away from them, unless they’re plugged into an outlet. Just turn off the power switch whenever possible.
- Failing To Stop The Air Leaks
A leaky window or door can cause a significant amount of air to flow out of your home. Air loss leads to higher heating and cooling bills, which means you are wasting electricity. Use caulk or weather stripping around windows and doors where applicable.
You can also take these steps:
Turn off the lights in rooms when you are not using them. This is especially important if you have a lot of windows and doors, as this leads to significant amounts of air leaks.
Use ceiling fans instead of A/C units whenever possible. Using ceiling fans will circulate air throughout your home without requiring any additional electricity consumption.
- Using Too Much Water For Showering
A lot of people take long showers. Long showers aren’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can be if you are using too much water. The average shower should last between five and ten minutes. If you shower for longer than that, try to cut down on the time you spend there. If reducing the shower duration is not feasible, consider investing in low-flow shower heads and low-flush toilets.
- Leaving The Lights On When You Are Not In The Room
When you leave a room, turn off the lights. Turning off lights will save energy and money in the long run. If you find adopting this habit challenging, consider installing IoT-enabled lights that turn themselves off when you are not in the room. This can make it easier to turn off lights when you leave a room.
Final word
There are plenty of ways to save money on your utility bills and it is really easy if you put in the effort. Try some of these tips and see how much money you can save!