The “Ember” months have long been thought of as financial planning months – and there’s nothing better than making a plan to save money. These tips will let you reduce energy usage to the bearest minimum.
1. Test your energy efficiency
Many utility companies offer free energy usage systems, which can help you figure out how much energy your home uses and take steps to increase efficiency. If you are using prepaid metering, you can easily find out your energy usage by using the metering box that came with the prepaid unit. You may as well start by contacting your utility company or finding an auditor near you. According to Energy.gov, an energy audit can show you ways to save 5 to 30 percent on your utility bills.
2. Get free heat from the sun
Warm sunshine can heat your home, for free! The more solar heat, the less furnace heat you will need during a cold day. Open curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the day to warm your interior rooms and surfaces. Then close your curtains at night to help keep the heat from escaping. This could help save another one or two percent on your energy bill in colder months.
3. Use less hot water
Heating water can make up around 12% of a family’s utility bill. There are many helpful suggestions for reducing your hot water use, including lowering the temperature on the water heater and taking shorter showers
You can also cut down on water heating by washing many of your clothes in cold water. GE Appliances estimates that 75-90% of a washer’s energy is used to warm the water, so switching to cold can help reduce your energy bill — and still be effective at removing stains and keeping clothes clean!
4. Switch to energy-saving lightbulbs
Lightbulbs that have earned an ENERGY STAR are a more energy- and cost-efficient way to light your home. Households typically spend 5% of their energy budget on lighting, but replacing frequently used bulbs with ENERGY STAR models (including some halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lights, and LEDs) can save you a lot of energy bills!
5. Maintain your appliances
Maintaining large appliances like the refrigerator, air conditioning unit, and washer & dryer keeps them running efficiently. Low-functioning appliances often have to work harder, which can lead to higher energy bills.
In some cases, it may be worthwhile to upgrade to new energy-efficient appliances that will lower your energy bills.
6. Turn down the thermostat
You can install a programmable thermostat to automatically turn your heat down at night or when you are away. This prevents you from forgetting and helps you save energy without even thinking about it!
We Urge You To Be Proactive and Save On Your Energy Bill
The above tips are useful ways to reduce your energy bill, but if you are having trouble keeping up with higher utility bills, it would be great to get in touch with us to discuss your power needs.
If you are unsure of how to keep up with your energy bill or you would like to leverage our renewable energy solutions at very affordable costs, Just HardRich Global Resources Limited can help you understand your situation and work out the best model to meet your energy goals.
