5 Tips on Lowering My Electricity Bill

To lower your electricity bill, start by optimizing your thermostat settings: keep it around 68°F when you’re awake and 60-62°F when you’re asleep or away, and between 72-75°F in summer. Another great way to greatly reduce your energy costs is to switch to smart lighting, which some brands claim to use up to 75% less electricity than incandescent bulbs. Additionally, reduce energy waste by unplugging devices when not in use and using smart power strips. Devices plugged in will always draw power, even if it’s not powered on. Finally, adjust your water heater temperature to 120°F to save additional energy costs. The lower temperature requires less electricity to heat the water. By implementing these tips, you can make substantial savings on your utility bills, and there are even more strategies to explore for further reductions.

Key Takeaways

• Optimize Thermostat Settings: Set thermostats to 68°F in winter and 72-75°F in summer, and use programmable/smart thermostats for automated adjustments.
• Use Energy-Efficient Appliances: Choose appliances with the ENERGY STAR label to save extra on monthly energy bills and reduce long-term operational costs.
• Switch to Smart Lighting: Use smart bulbs that consume less electricity than incandescent bulbs and feature automation, occupancy sensors, and dimming capabilities.
• Reduce Phantom Energy Waste: Unplug devices when not in use, use smart power strips, and program energy-saving modes on electronics to minimize idle power consumption.
• Adjust Water Heater Temperature: Lower the water heater temperature to 120°F to save on energy costs.

Optimize Thermostat Settings

To optimize your thermostat settings and lower your electricity bill, it is crucial to understand the ideal temperatures for different times of the day and seasons. Adjusting your thermostat can save you up to 10% a year on heating and cooling costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

During the winter, set your thermostat to around 68°F when you’re awake and lower it to 60-62°F while you’re asleep or away from home. This strategy helps maintain comfort without overworking your heating system.

For warmer days, keep your thermostat between 72-75°F to balance comfort and energy efficiency. As seasons change, make gradual adjustments to avoid sudden temperature shifts. For instance, as the weather cools, set your thermostat to around 68°F during the day, and for warmer days, adjust it to the higher range.

Thermostat programming is key. Use a programmable or smart thermostat to automate these adjustments based on your daily schedule. You can set multiple temperature settings per day, ensuring your home remains comfortable while you’re away and reducing energy consumption when you’re not home. By making these seasonal adjustments and utilizing thermostat programming, you can greatly lower your electricity bill.

Use Energy-Efficient Appliances

After optimizing your thermostat settings, the next step in lowering your electricity bill is to focus on using energy-efficient appliances. These appliances are designed to consume less energy without compromising on performance, which can greatly reduce your monthly utility bills.

Switch to Smart Lighting

Smart lighting can be a considerable step in lowering your electricity bill, as traditional incandescent bulbs and even some LED lights can be inefficient compared to their smart counterparts. Smart bulbs, which utilize LED technology, use up to 75% less electricity than incandescent bulbs to produce the same brightness. For instance, a 10-watt smart LED bulb can produce 800-1000 lumens, whereas a 60-watt incandescent bulb would be needed to achieve similar brightness, resulting in an 83% reduction in energy consumption.

Lighting automation is a key feature of smart bulbs that helps maximize savings. You can program lights to turn off automatically on a schedule, use remote control to turn off lights when away from home, and employ occupancy sensors and geo-fencing to guarantee lights are only on when needed. Dimming capabilities also allow you to lower the brightness when possible, reducing energy usage by up to 40%.

Additionally, smart lighting systems often include energy monitoring features, allowing you to track real-time and historical data to identify wasteful use. This data can help you set energy budgets and receive alerts if you’re using more than intended. By changing to smart lighting, you can considerably reduce your electricity bill while enjoying the convenience and environmental benefits of advanced lighting technology.

Reduce Phantom Energy Waste

Phantom energy waste, also known as standby power or vampire power, occurs when devices continue to draw electricity even when they are turned off but still plugged in. This hidden energy consumption can greatly impact your electricity bill and contribute to unnecessary carbon emissions.

To reduce phantom energy waste, here are some effective strategies:

4 Ways to Cut Down on Phantom Energy

1. Unplug Devices: Make it a habit to unplug devices that are not in use, especially those like device chargers, entertainment systems, and small kitchen appliances. This simple action can eliminate a substantial portion of phantom energy consumption.
   
2. Use Smart Power Strips: Smart power strips automatically cut off power to devices in standby mode. These strips detect the drop in power consumption when devices go into standby and shut off the power supply, making them a convenient and efficient solution.
   
3. Program Power Settings: Adjust the settings on your electronics to enable energy-saving modes. For devices that cannot be unplugged, use sleep or away modes, reduce background activity, and disable unnecessary features like LED displays or wireless connectivity when not in use.
   
4. Conduct a Home Energy Audit: Perform a home energy audit to identify which devices are the biggest culprits of phantom energy. Use an energy meter to measure the energy consumption of your devices both when they are running and when they are idle.
   

Adjust the Water Heater Temperature

Adjusting the temperature of your water heater is a straightforward and effective way to lower your electricity bill. Most water heaters are set at a default temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but this can be adjusted to enhance both safety and energy efficiency.

Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit is highly recommended. This setting reduces the risk of scalding, especially for children and the elderly, while still providing sufficient hot water for most household needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Shopping Around for an Electricity Supplier Lower My Bill?

Shopping around for an electricity supplier can be a game-changer. In deregulated markets, electricity competition is fierce, allowing you to compare suppliers and potentially save by finding the best rate through supplier comparison.

How Does a Home Energy Audit Help in Reducing Electricity Costs?

A home energy audit helps you reduce electricity costs by identifying energy inefficiencies, suggesting upgrades and targeted improvements for energy efficiency.

Tired of high electricity bills? 

Griffin Home Care is here to help! Our expert electrical services can implement the energy-saving tips mentioned in our blog and more. Let our skilled electricians lower your energy costs while improving your home’s efficiency. 

Call Griffin Home Care today at (225) 202-5605 to schedule an energy-saving electrical service and start seeing the savings on your next electricity bill!