Your Utility Bills Are About to Skyrocket: Here’s How to Prepare

You might want to sit down for this. Your utility bills are about to go up… and by a lot. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, electricity prices will increase significantly in the next few months. This means that if you’ve been opening your electric bill only to be shocked by the amount owed, you’ve already seen the change. So what can you do to prepare for these price hikes? In this article, we will discuss some tips that will help you keep your energy costs under control!

Appliances That Increase Your Electricity Bill

When your monthly electric bill is higher than normal, it can be frustrating to figure out what is causing the increase. However, by understanding how to calculate your energy use, you can identify which devices are costing you the most money. The first step is to find the appliance or device’s wattage rating, which is usually listed on the back or bottom of the device. Once you have this number, you can determine how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) the appliance uses in a month or year.

To do this, simply divide the wattage by 1,000 and then multiply by the number of hours the appliance is used each month or year. For example, if you have a 100-watt lightbulb that is used for 3 hours each day, it will use 9 kWh in a month or 108 kWh in a year. Although this may seem like a lot, it’s actually only a small fraction of the total energy use in most homes. As such, there are plenty of ways to reduce your overall energy consumption without making significant changes to your lifestyle. For instance, you could switch to LED lightbulbs, which use much less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Or, you could invest in energy-efficient appliances, which can help you save money on your utility bills in the long run.

The average appliance in a home uses about 1,000 watts of power. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts, so that means your appliance is using about 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of power per hour. If you use that appliance for 3 hours a day, then you’re using 3 kWh of energy a day, or about 90 kWh per month. The cost of electricity varies depending on where you live, but on average, you’ll pay roughly 13 cents per kWh (this is up from an average of 10 cents per kWh a year ago).

So, if you use your appliance for 3 hours a day, it will cost you about $0.90 per month to operate. Kilowatt-hours are essentially a way of measuring how much power a device uses in an hour of being turned on. If you look at most appliances, they will supply a wattage or a range of wattages the device operates at — how many watts it burns in an hour. Once you have the wattage, simply divide that by 1,000 (to convert the watts to kilowatts) and then multiply by how many hours a day you use the item. That will give you a basic figure for how many kilowatt-hours a day you’re using with that item.

Energy vampires are appliances or devices that use electricity even when they’re turned off. They can raise your energy bill by as much as $100 per year, so it’s important to identify them so you can take steps to reduce their energy consumption. The first step is to find out how much your energy provider charges per kilowatt-hour (kWh). From there, you can use the U.S. Energy Information Administration‘s number for the average U.S. utility rate of $0.1315 per kWh, or you could get more specific and get your rate straight from your energy provider.

Based on what your costs are, you can then determine which appliance or device is the actual energy vampire and what’s not really using much electricity. Once you know which devices are energy vampires, you can take steps to reduce their energy consumption, such as unplugging them when they’re not in use or investing in energy-efficient models. By taking these steps, you can save money on your energy bill and help to protect the environment.

Common Energy Vampires

Energy efficiency is a major concern for both businesses and homeowners. By understanding which devices are consuming the most energy, you can take steps to address the issue and improve your energy efficiency. Many devices continue to draw power even when they’re turned “off,” including computers, instant-on TVs, surround sound systems, and cable and satellite TV boxes. Anything with a built-in digital clock is also pulling a little juice. Take inventory of your devices and make sure they’re turned off completely when not in use. You may also want to invest in energy-efficient models when it’s time to replace old appliances. Taking these simple steps can help you save money and conserve energy.

Almost a quarter of the energy used by your home is consumed by devices that are turned off or in standby mode, according to the National Resources Defense Council. This hidden cost, known as “energy vampires,” can add up to hundreds of dollars a year for the average household. And it’s not just your wallet that takes a hit – this wasted energy also contributes to climate change and air pollution.

So what can you do to fight back against these energy vampires? The first step is to identify which devices in your home are the biggest offenders. Common culprits include televisions, computers, printers, and chargers. Once you know which devices are using the most energy, you can take steps to reduce their power consumption. By taking some simple steps to reduce energy vampires in your home, you can save money and help protect the environment at the same time.

Using energy wisely is important for both your wallet and the environment.  To help combat these pesky bill-boosters, start by unplugging devices you’re not using, like your coffee maker or toaster oven. Then, plug devices that use power while idle into a power strip so you can easily turn them off when they’re not in use. You should also adjust the power settings on things like your computer or TV, and consider getting timers for outlets to help control usage.

Not sure which devices are adding the biggest idle load to your energy bill? These are the top 10 culprits, according to the NRDC:

1. The TV and DVR in the guest bedroom
2. A second fridge when you don’t need it
3. The furnace in the summer
4. TV, speaker bar, and other TV accessories
5. Computer, monitor, printer, computer speakers, and other computer accessories
6. Hot water recirculation pump
7. Instant coffeemaker
8. Towel heater
9. Heated bathroom floor
10. Game consoles

How to Increase Energy Efficiency in Your Home?

In today’s connected world, it’s easy to take for granted the myriad devices that are always powered on and ready to use at a moment’s notice. However, the continuous flow of electricity required to keep these devices running comes at a significant cost, both in terms of money and environmental impact.

There are several steps you can take to increase the energy efficiency of your home and reduce your costs. One of the simplest and most effective is to shop around for a new energy provider. Another way to save money is to take advantage of energy-efficiency programs offered by your local utility company. These programs can help you make your home more energy-efficient, which in turn will lower your bill. Lastly, be sure to monitor your energy usage and look for ways to reduce your consumption.

Saving money is more important than ever. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to reduce your energy costs without making major changes to your lifestyle. Here are 18 tips to help you save money on your electricity bill:

1. Use energy-efficient light bulbs. CFLs and LEDs use less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last for years.
2. Turn off lights when you’re not using them.  Lighting accounts for about 12% of residential energy use, so by conserving electricity, you can save money and help the environment.
3. Use natural light as much as possible. during the day, open blinds and curtains to let in sunlight. You’ll be surprised how much difference it makes.
4. Install solar panels. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, solar panels can help you save a lot of money on your electricity bill over time.
5. Invest in energy-efficient appliances. Washers, dryers, and refrigerators that have the Energy Star label can help you save money on your monthly utilities.
6. Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when they’re full. You’ll save water and electricity by waiting until you have a full load before running these appliances.
7. Wash your clothes in cold water if possible. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, washing your clothes in cold water can save approximately $63 per year on your energy bill. In addition, cold water is just as effective as hot water at cleaning your clothes.
8. Air seal your home. Sealing cracks, gaps and leaks and adding insulation can save up to 10% on home heating and cooling costs. A well-sealed home is also more comfortable, because it is better able to maintain a consistent temperature.
9. Clean or replace all filters in your home regularly. Dirty filters make your system work harder and run longer than necessary. Replacing your furnace filter every two to three months can save 5% on your heating bill.
10. Use your microwave instead of your stove when cooking. Microwaves use less energy than stoves, and they can heat food more quickly.
11. During warmer months, close blinds, shades and drapes on the sunny side of your home to help keep your home’s temperature cooler and reduce the work for you AC. Open shades during cooler months to let the sun warm your home. Simple changes like these can help you save money on your energy bill every month.
12. Using dishwashers and clothes washers/dryers at night will keep the house cooler, reduce strain on the power grid during the peak usage hours of 4 PM and 6 PM and reduce the chance of an emergency!
13. Turn off heated dry on your dishwasher and air dry instead. Set your refrigerator temperature to the manufacturer’s recommendation to avoid excessive cooling and wasting energy.
14. Don’t leave bathroom or kitchen ventilation fans running longer than necessary. They replace inside air with outside air, which can increase your energy costs.
15. Replace your windows. If your home has single-pane windows, consider replacing them with more energy-efficient windows, or adding solar shades or tinting film.
16. Install a programmable thermostat that will automatically adjust the temperature according to your schedule.
17. Don’t leave your mobile phone plugged in overnight. A couple of hours is all it takes to charge the battery, so there’s no need to leave it plugged in for longer than that. Plus you could be doing damage to the battery.
18. Dress for the weather.  Wearing warmer clothing in the winter and cooler clothing in the summer can help you stay comfortable without making your heater and AC work harder.

Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to your monthly energy costs. By following the tips in this article, you can lower your bill and keep more money in your pocket. For more ways to save, and to stay up to date on the latest news and information from MyChesCo, be sure to sign up for our free newsletter.

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