10 Tips to Save Money on Your Energy Bill

Adjust Your Thermostat

As much as we like to keep our living space as comfortable as possible, constantly running the air conditioning or heater to achieve the perfect temperature uses a lot of energy. Dialing the thermostat back 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day can save as much as 10% a year. Installing a programmable thermostat can take the hassle out of remembering to adjust your temperature while still helping you save on your energy bill.

Seal Your House

Keeping a tight seal around the doors and windows of your home is essential to keeping the warm or cold air from seeping out. Ensuring that your home is well insulated will help keep your air conditioning from constantly running to keep it at the selected temperature. Caulking or weatherproofing openings are simple DIY solutions that anyone can do to seal their home. 

Take Advantage of Sun or Shade

Whether you want your home warmer or cooler, there are some cost-free resources that you can use for any season. If your living space has curtains or shades, you can open or close them to limit how much sun enters your windows. Depending on where you live and the positioning of your home, the sun could heat your house a few degrees every day during peak hours. Blocking the sun with shades or even trees during those peak times can make a difference in keeping your home cool.

Switch to LED

According to the US Department of energy, LED lightbulbs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than their incandescent counterparts. Not only does this mean that you’ll save money on your energy use, but you could save money from buying bulbs less often. There are all kinds of LED bulbs to meet your needs. Just make sure to check the “Lighting Facts” label to match the brightness and color to the location.

Install Dimmer Switches

These specialized switches let you control how bright your lights are in any room. Not only do these switches let you set the mood for each of your rooms, but they can also help you save energy by keeping the lights on a dimmer setting at different times. 

Consider Motion Sensors

It goes without saying that if your lights are off, they won’t be hurting your energy bill. If you’re someone that may forget to turn off your lights here and there, investing in motion detectors could make a huge difference in your energy bill. These sensors will track when there is or isn’t movement in a room in order to power the lights. Gone are the days of accidentally leaving a light on with motion sensors!

Maintain Your Dryer

Energy-efficient appliances are made to help conserve energy use. If you already have this kind of washer or dryer or don’t want to purchase a new appliance, there are still things you can do to save on your energy bill. Dryers use approximately 6% of a home’s total electricity, according to the California Energy Commission. By keeping your dryer clean and emptying the lint trap, you can keep the appliance running efficiently.

Wash with Cold Water

Consumer Reports have explained that heating water accounts for approximately 90% of the energy needed to run a washer. Due to this, washers and even laundry detergents have adapted to actually work better with cooler water. These studies have now shown that not only does using cold water help you save on your energy bills, but it can also get your clothes cleaner.

Keep the Oven Closed

As tempting as it may be to open the oven door a few times to check on your cooking food, it’s actually better to use the light and look through the glass. The US Department of Energy has said that the oven’s internal temperature can drop 25 degrees every time the door opens. Not only does this mean that the heat escapes into your home, but also that the oven then has to heat back up again. Leaving the door closed will help to retain the heat and keep your food cooking for you.

Conduct an Energy Audit

Running an energy audit is the best way to determine just how much energy your home is using. Oftentimes, utility providers will even provide these services for free. The US Department of Energy has stated that an energy audit can help a home save 5-30% on an energy bill.

There are all kinds of options to help save money on energy bills. At Astral Energy, we work with you to determine a flat monthly fee based on your previous energy use. You get the unlimited energy that you want without having to worry about your energy bill going up. Contact us today to learn more about how you can get the most from your energy!