When it comes to your household bills, the one you’re probably paying a lot more than you should for is the energy bill. Many homeowners are using unnecessary energy without even knowing it, and some are even paying higher rates than they actually need to. If you’re looking to shave some dollars off your monthly energy bill and become more eco-friendly whilst you’re at it, you’ll be glad to know that there are many simple things which you can do in order to cut back your energy use without being inconvenienced. We’ve listed just a few.
Programmable Thermostats
Nobody likes to come home to a freezing house after a long day at work, but then nobody likes having to pay for the heating to stay on all day to ensure that the house is warm either. Get around this problem by investing in a programmable thermostat, which you can set to turn the heating system in your home on or off at the times that you need it. With a programmable thermostat, you can set the heating to come on just in time to make sure that your house is nice and cozy for when you arrive, and only pay for the amount of energy that you need.
Energy-Saving Lightbulbs
We all like a well-lit home, but light bulbs use energy, and energy costs. Thankfully, Energy Star rated energy-saving lightbulbs can be used instead, and they use seventy-five percent less energy than their conventional counterparts. Although initially, many homeowners are put off by the higher price of energy-saving light bulbs, you shouldn’t let this deter you, as they save so much energy, they actually pay for themselves after around six months of use. Saving you around $30 over the lifetime of one bulb and lasting ten times longer than conventional bulbs, they’re definitely a more cost-effective option in the long run.
Seal Air Leaks
Sealing any air leaks in your home is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to help reduce your energy bill. Even the smallest of cracks in weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows can cause drafts or allow hot air to seep out, meaning that you’ll end up turning the heating system up higher in order to keep warm, using more energy in the meantime. Add new weather stripping to all of your outdoor doors and windows to ensure that the hot air stays where it should be – trapped inside.
Switch Your Provider
Last but certainly not least, in some cases, simply switching energy providers can help you to save money on your energy bills. Most providers won’t tie you into a contract, which is great as this means that you can switch any time you find someone who’s offering cheaper rates. Keep your eye out for promotional deals and use comparison websites such as http://energycompaniesalberta.com/ to find the best prices and keep your energy rates as low as possible.
How do you save money on your energy bill? We’d love to hear your tips in the comments below.