Lowering Your Bills
From heating our homes to lighting our hallways, electricity is something we rely on throughout the majority of our day. Some months we may see higher or lower usage than others. But if you’re beginning to receive higher than average electric bills every month, something other than forgetting to turn off the lights might be going on.
Let’s take a look at why your electric bill could be so high and what you can do to bring costs down next month.
Increased Usage
There are times when your electricity bill will go up simply because you’re using more electricity, whether you realize it or not. Since a lot of us have spent more time at home over the past couple of years, it’s no surprise that our electricity usage has increased. Every time you do a load of laundry, or run the dishwasher, you’re utilizing an abundant amount of electricity.
Avoid running small loads of laundry or dishes and instead wait until you can use the appliance to its full capacity!
The increase in usage could also be coming from your HVAC system. If you’re experiencing very cold or very hot weather, you might be cranking the thermostat a little more than usual to keep your home comfortable. Changing the thermostat back by just a few degrees can help lower your costs.
Plugged In Appliances
Many appliances draw in energy even when not turned on. Leaving these items plugged in all the time rather than only when you need to use them is likely eating up a lot of electricity. Common appliances that we see this occur with include:
- Toasters.
- Blenders.
- Microwaves.
- Televisions.
- Computers.
- Gaming Consoles.
- Tablets
It is best to leave these unplugged to avoid adding extra dollars and cents to your monthly electric bill.
Another source of phantom electricity is device chargers. Try keeping your phone, computer, razor, tablet, and watch chargers unplugged unless they’re being used to revive your gadgets.
Outdated Appliances
New, modern appliances are created with more efficiency in mind compared to older models. If you have an HVAC system that has been chugging on for over 10 years, it’s likely eating up a lot of valuable electricity. The same goes for water heaters, dishwashers, and laundry machines. If able, we recommend updating your appliances once they’re well past their prime in order to reap the many benefits of new machines.
Additionally, scheduling regular maintenance of these appliances will help keep them in their best condition, resulting in smoother running and cost-effective systems.
Inefficient Bulbs
It may surprise you to know that the type of lightbulb you use could be having an effect on your electricity bills. LED light bulbs use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. They also last longer, are not hot to the touch, and come in a variety of colors.
Hot Water Usage
As stated above, our appliances use a lot of electricity in order to supply us with what we need. Your hot water heater is no exception to this. Whether you’re taking more baths instead of showers, have had family in town, or have more laundry and dishes to do than usual, an increase in hot water usage will inevitably increase your electric bill.
Electrical Services in Atlanta
If you’re feeling the weight of your monthly electric usage, Capital City Electrical Services, LLC can help! From electrical repairs to electrical panel upgrades and new lighting installations, our team is fully equipped to make your home a more efficient and bright place to live. Give us a call at (770) 999-9610 to get started today!