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This post is sponsored by Payless Power a No Deposit Electricity Provider
With the seasons changing and the temperature decreasing, it’s natural to notice some slight changes in the monthly costs incurred at home. One expense that is known to fluctuate often is the electric bill, which can be influenced by everything from the oven to activating the air conditioner. And with the billing statement arriving at the end of the month after the energy has already been consumed, many people are surprised by the amount they have to pay. Especially if the monthly cost has jumped by a significant amount, you may be wondering about the source of the increase. Though reasons vary from household to household, here are some of the most common.
Also referred to as the phantom load and standby power, vampire energy increases the electricity bill each time we power down electrical devices but leave them plugged in. During that time they are still able to use energy as they may perform updates or simply remain at the ready for sudden use. On an annual basis, this expense costs Americans over $19 billion and for individual households, this cost can amount to several hundred dollars each year. Because of this, it is important to get into the habit of unplugging devices when you have concluded using them or simply consider utilizing power strips to enable a simple simultaneous unplug for several devices.
Sometimes it is the things we do every day that seem insignificant that are actually responsible for our high electric bills. The degree that these habits cost us varies, but largely it is best to start cutting all of them out. One common and costly habit for some is falling asleep in front of the television. While it may seem innocent enough, it only costs you money while providing no other benefit. It is actually recommended that individuals get away from the television before bedtime to help prepare themselves for sleep. Some other energy-draining habits include running fans in empty rooms, leaving the refrigerator door open for extended periods of time, and even closing too many doors inside your home while utilizing air conditioning.
As time goes by, our once new appliances begin to lose their lustre and their overall performance may suffer. Given the nature of machinery as well, it is natural to find that over time appliances may not be running as optimally as they once did. The good news is that manufacturers are constantly improving the function of our devices and boosting their performance. Along with that is a greater push towards energy efficiency, which plays a role in the size of our electricity bill. Energy-efficient devices are able to use less energy to carry out the same functions that current appliances do, resulting in a smaller monthly charge. Investing in new appliances is one way to ensure you’re using electricity efficiently, but you can also have a professional come in and service your machine to ensure it is running optimally.
The hot water heater within your home is responsible for regulating the temperature of the water you use and is responsible for heating everything from what comes out of the sink to the shower. Of all the appliances within your home, the water heater is regarded as the third most costly and this is felt each month you needlessly use it and add to the monthly expense you must pay. For those who are prone to letting the sink run or who take long showers, you’re likely to see this behaviour reflected in your bill. While you can strive to turn off the faucet or reduce the amount of time you spend bathing, you can also invest in low flow showerheads or high-efficiency aerators that minimize the amount of water used to prevent you from wasting it and to reduce the energy your water heater consumes.
The source of our largest home expenses can be attributed to the heating and cooling we constantly do in order to manipulate our environment. Often people will allow the air to run through the night or even in the day as they are not in their homes. While this is done to get things perfect for their return, this is a costly practice. And even more alarming is the fact that this cost is not always able to be solely attributed to allowing temperature-regulating appliances to run. A number of factors contribute to the cost including the degree to which you increase or decrease the temperature, the frequency in which you have the HVAC unit inspected, and if airflow is being obstructed by furniture or window dressings. Making progress on this is a great way to get started on lowering your electric bill.
This is a collaborative post.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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