The pressure to reduce household costs has never been more intense than right now. Higher inflation, mortgages and utility bills can make it hard to meet household expenses.
So, let’s figure out how we can save cash on power bills. Many utility companies will give a breakdown of how you use electricity. Here’s a report for a four-bedroom home on where the energy went:
- 25% – Always on, and devices on standby.
- 19% – Fridge and freezers.
- 16% – Lighting.
- 15% – Cooking (even with a gas stovetop)
- 11% – Home entertainment and computers.
- 8% – Laundry.
- 7% – Other.
The “Always On” figure is shocking, but the power company said this household used 22% less electricity on standby than similar homes.
Here’s an example of the cost. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NDRC) says cable box standby power usage averages 16 watts. A cable box idle 20 hours a day uses 116.8 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year, which is nearly $20 on your annual bill. A TV on standby costs more than $15 a year to sit idle. Over time and altogether, these costs can really add up.
Below are some tips to reduce your power consumption and save yourself some dollars.
Request assessment – Ask your utility company for an assessment and best practice guidelines to reduce consumption.
Off ain’t off – Turning appliances off does not mean they stop using power. Devices with clocks and stand-by mode consume “vampire energy”.TVs, microwaves and computers are significant culprits. Disconnect them from the wall to turn them off.
Pull the plug – Don’t leave devices on stand-by in rooms not used regularly, such as a guest bedroom.
Insulate – Assess the quality of your home’s insulation. You’ll save thousands of dollars over a few years if you reduce heating and cooling.
Turn it down – Dropping the heating and cooling by just two degrees right now can make a huge difference, and you’ll barely notice the difference.
New lights – Use energy-saving bulbs. You won’t need to replace them as often and they’ll save you money.
Star ratings – Check the energy ratings of your appliances, and be more aware of these ratings when purchasing appliances and gadgets.