After cutting back on eating out and clipping coupons, the last thing you want is an unexpected surge in your power bill. Below are a few simple strategies to help lower it this summer.
Unplug Electronics and Appliances
Many electric companies charge higher rates during peak hours, typically the hottest part of the day. To save money and energy consumption costs, try limiting how often appliances and electronics are used during this period – however, the real energy consumer is in phantom power and things you only “think” are turned off.
Phantom energy usage from electronic devices and appliances that remain powered off or not in use accounts for up to 20% of some homes’ energy bills, costing households an estimated $100 annually. Unplugging appliances is an easy way to cut back on this usage and save money on power costs.
Reducing power usage might seem cumbersome at first, but once you develop the habit, it becomes simpler and faster. Be sure to include all electronic appliances that use excessive phantom power such as TVs, DVD players, digital video recorders, computer monitors and laptops – not forgetting chargers for phones, tablets and other wireless devices that may consume additional power consumption. You could further decrease this consumption by plugging items that you regularly use into a power strip with an on/off switch on/off feature.
According to this guide – https://homeefficiencyguide.com/is-phantom-energy-real/, certain devices, like coffee makers and microwaves, may only consume small amounts of phantom energy when in standby mode. But most other electronics and appliances such as computers, TVs, and chargers typically use substantial amounts while sitting idle.
Unplugging these devices won’t immediately reduce your electricity bill, but over time it will add up and help lower it as well as help decrease carbon footprints.
Install a smart meter, use energy efficient appliances like those rated “ENERGY STAR,” use timers or smart power strips with lamps and electronics unplug your appliances to reduce Phantom Power consumption and save on electricity. However, unplugging all appliances can also help cut costs by cutting phantom power consumption – saving both energy and money!
To determine which electronic devices and appliances is consuming electricity when not in use, purchase or borrow a Kill-A-Watt. These can often be found at libraries; alternatively you could ask frugal friends if they would loan one out. You could even create your own watt meter!
Switch to ENERGY STAR Appliances
The green movement has certainly made waves in household appliance design and use, and there are numerous reasons to switch. Aside from saving money on electricity bills and helping protect the environment, there are also numerous other advantages of choosing products bearing the ENERGY STAR logo for use around your home.
ENERGY STAR appliances are engineered to run more efficiently, using less energy to perform similar tasks. Switching over to an ENERGY STAR appliance could save hundreds of dollars over its lifespan!
If you are considering investing in an ENERGY STAR appliance, it is important to remember that upfront costs may exceed standard models; however, long term energy savings have already exceeded initial investment estimates from both the National Resource Defense Council and U.S. Department of Energy – saving homeowners around $200 billion since 2001 alone
One great benefit of purchasing ENERGY STAR appliances is their competitively lower prices compared to conventional models due to tax credits and rebates. Direct Energy customers can take advantage of our Efficiency Connection program which offers discounts on energy-saving ENERGY STAR models.
Switch to a Time-Of-Use Plan
Many factors can contribute to an increasing power bill, including wasteful habits like leaving lights on or using your water heater too frequently. Luckily, there are easy-to-implement strategies which can save money and lower power consumption – one being switching your electricity plan over to one that supports time-of-use rates offered by providers.
Time-of-Use (which you can learn about here) electricity plans provide various rates based on demand for power at various moments throughout the day, making this an excellent way for residential customers who desire greater control of their electricity consumption and bills to manage them more effectively.
Electricity prices typically decrease during night or early morning hours when demand for power consumption decreases, due to less power being consumed and utilities having to pay less to access the power grid. Prices usually increase during peak hours when more demand exists and utilities must access more power from it for grid access purposes.
At such times, it’s crucial to use appliances responsibly by waiting until off-peak hours to run them. This could include switching off air conditioning when leaving the house or programming your washing machine to operate at an off-peak hour later in the day or during off-peak periods.
Switching some of your appliances over to power-saving models is another great way to cut back and save. A new washer and dryer could cut your power costs by up to 30%; not only is this great for saving money but it is also helping the environment!
There are various strategies you can employ to lower your electricity bill, from increasing the thermostat temperature in summertime, to using a timer to schedule charging your EV during off-peak hours. The ultimate aim should be shifting consumption away from peak hours so as to lower bills while supporting California’s green electricity future.
Before choosing a TOU plan, it is wise to carefully evaluate your current electricity rates and fees in order to assess whether switching will provide savings. Be mindful of peak and off-peak hours that could vary based on your utility and season.
Get a Smart Meter
As I touched on before, smart meters are modern gas and electricity meters that transmit usage information directly to utilities instead of sending utility employees around to check usage manually. They’re an effective way of cutting electricity consumption as they allow users to see real-time usage (rather than just once every month) and provide numerous tools and options to reduce electricity consumption.
They allow you to track your electricity use more closely, providing insight into which appliances and pieces of equipment are using power. This enables you to identify potential issues such as leaving computers on or lights left on after working hours – while encouraging cost-cutting behaviors by showing their impact.
Most electricity providers now offer smart meter options; when switching or installing new meters you can often request one as part of your contract agreement. Some providers even provide smart pay as you go products that allow users to top up via in-home display units, online and mobile phone/tablet options if available.
Smart meters can help reduce your power bill by offering time of use plans, but it’s still important to make an effort to lower usage – otherwise, simply changing electricity plans without changing how they use electricity can cost more than anticipated. Smart meters make switching to time of use plans easy, while providing an in-home display unit to track electricity use and costs – providing motivation for further reductions.
Smart meters can help reduce your power bill by offering time of use plans, which charge different rates for electricity depending on the time of day. This website – https://bestestrøm.no/hvordan-spare-strøm/ details similar information. These tips can save you money if you use less electricity during peak hours. Smart meters also make it easier to switch to renewable energy plans, which can further reduce your energy costs.
Some people have concerns about the privacy implications of smart meters. However, smart meters are designed to protect your privacy. Your energy usage data is encrypted and stored securely, and it is not shared with anyone without your consent. If you are unhappy with your smart meter, you can usually request to have it removed. However, there may be a fee for this service.
Overall, smart meters offer a number of benefits, including the ability to track your energy usage, save money on your energy bills, and switch to renewable energy plans. If you are considering a smart meter, be sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully to decide if it is right for you.
