Simple Ways To Reduce Electricity Bills

Bills are a major part of one's monthly budget. More-so, recently there has been a wave of motion to go towards green energy to not only reduce pollution but also reduce the electricity bills. Electricity bills can spike during summer and winter seasons. A number of measures could be taken to lower the expected bills.

1. Set Your Thermostat To Room Temperature

In summers, Air Conditioners can make up about 40-60% of the electricity bills depending on the usage. If the temperature is set to say 18℃, then the compressor will keep on running until this temperature is reached. However, in most cases where the temperatures are high, this temperature range could not be reached and hence it reduces the life of compressor and increases the bills significantly. Setting the thermostat to a higher temperature say 26℃ will not only reduce bills but also prolong compressors life.

2. Insulate Your Windows And Doors

This point cannot be stressed enough. A lot of hot and cold air is lost in winters and summers respectively. Check your windows for gaps and cracks. Apply silicone sealant where applicable. Similarly check the gaps below the doors. If the gap below the door is large, sponge can be used to decrease the opening and improve insulation. However, do have means for ventilation to keep air circulating a little bit.

3. Switch Off Unwanted Appliances

It is best to switch off TV than muting it. Similarly switch off appliances such as iron, computers, fans, water heaters etc when not in use. Appliances consume a small amount of electricity even in standby mode.

4. Switch To Energy Efficient Lighting Options

In the beginning, there were only incandescent bulbs that came in different wattage like 60W, 80W and 100 W. Then came energy savers that could provide same amount of light for 80% less electricity consumption. And now in the past few years, a new technology LED has emerged which has cut the cost by another 15-20%. Lighting costs can be decreased by switching to low energy lighting products such as LED bulbs. They are much more efficient than incandescent bulbs and have a longer life.

5. Manage load between peak and off-peak hours

Avoid running AC or heaters during peak hours. Manage your energy consuming chores accordingly.

6. Wear clothes matching weather

If its summer, you might have to remove your coat or loosen your tie a little bit. Always wear clothes that are weather friendly. Similarly in winters, wear multiple layers of clothing to negate the effect of cold weather and thus reduce the heating requirement.