How Can I Save Money on My Utility Bill?
Energy costs are steadily rising, and chances are, you’d rather save money on energy costs than waste hours of energy every month. We recognize the importance of saving you time and money while helping you find solutions to conserve energy. That’s why we partner with brands like Nest to offer smart home gadgets that can help make your home more energy efficient. We even install and repair smart home devices, home appliances, and more.
READ MORE:What is a smart home?
1. Invest in a Nest Thermostat
Investing in smart home technology like a Nest thermostat is one of the easiest ways to maximize your energy consumption without wasting money. Nest thermostats are programmable and can even be controlled by your smartphone or mobile device.
How does the Nest thermostat work?
You can either create a custom routine or allow Nest to “learn” your routine in order to lower energy output when you are away from the home while maintaining the optimum temperature while you’re in the home.
Does the Nest thermostat really save money?
Because Nest thermostats allows you to control the temperature in your home, you can effectively cut utility costs by reducing the amount of energy you consume. In warmer months, cooling units account for a significant portion of your overall energy costs, and because Nest thermostats are relatively inexpensive compared to other thermostats, you’ll save energy, and money, in the long-run.
What are the best smart home gadgets?
Read our blog post on how to make your home as energy efficient as possible to learn more about saving money on energy costs by investing in smart home gadgets like energy efficient appliances, occupancy/vacancy sensors, and more.
2. Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances
Investing in energy efficient appliances is one of the easiest ways to be proactive about increasing your home’s energy efficiency. There’s no need to upgrade all of your appliances today. Simply investing in energy efficiency appliances when you’re in need of an upgrade can save you hundreds, if not thousands, on utility costs over the next few years.
Do energy efficient appliances really work?
Energy efficiency appliances work in a variety of ways, depending on the type of appliance, but yes, they really do work to conserve energy and cut energy costs. Energy efficient clothes washers, for example, are able to conserve water by automatically sensing how much water is needed to clean a particular load, so rather than using an entire drum of water for small and large loads alike, each load receives a custom amount of water tailored to fit its needs.
What are the best energy efficient appliances?
There are hundreds of models of energy efficient appliances on the market today. From home appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators to home technology equipment like sound systems and televisions, there’s an energy efficient option for just about every appliance and piece of equipment in your home. Just a few of the types of energy efficient products available today include:
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Dishwashers
- Hood Vents
- Clothes Washers
- Clothes Dryers
- Furnaces
- Air Conditioners
- Water Coolers
- Water Heaters
- Televisions
- Telephones
- Audio Systems
- Computers
- Computer Displays
- Copiers
- Light Bulbs
3. Pull the Plug
You’re probably thinking this one is too obvious, but the reality is that most people don’t unplug all of their unused appliances, even though evidence suggests it can save hundreds of dollars per year on utility costs. When not in use, appliances still pull energy that can amount to hundreds of hours of kilowatts each year. There’s no added benefit to keeping appliances plugged in, and in fact, unplugging them can prevent electrical fires and safety hazards, so there’s no reason not to consider saving yourself energy and money!
Does unplugging appliances save money?
Unplugging unused appliances really can save you money. Energy costs from unused appliances can quickly add up to a significant chunk of change on your utility bills each month. While you obviously won’t want to unplug some appliances, like refrigerators and dishwashers, other appliances that are not used daily, or those that live on countertops with easy access to outlets, like coffee makers and toasters, can be easily unplugged to save energy and money.
How much can I save by unplugging unused appliances?
If you don’t want to have to worry about plugging and unplugging appliances on a regular basis, invest in power strips which can easily be turned on and off, or consider buying a Belkin Smart Socket, which allows you to turn appliances on and off remotely with your smartphone or mobile device, even when you’re away from home.
How much does it cost to run unused appliances?
Some of the most commonly used appliances that can be unplugged or turned off include televisions, lamps, coffeemakers, and other devices that don’t require constant energy sources. Here’s an idea of how much it’s costing you to run these appliances:
- Falling asleep with the television on costs $55 per year.
- Leaving just one lamp on all day costs an extra $25 per year.
- Leaving unused audio and video equipment plugged in costs an extra $60 per year.
- Allowing an A/C unit to run continuously costs approximately $500 more per year.
4. Learn to Read Your Utility Meter
Learning to read your utility meter can save you hundreds of dollars on energy costs each year. We’re not saying your utility company is intentionally keeping you from saving money on utility costs, but utility meters, like any other form of technology, can malfunction. Knowing how to ensure your meter is reading properly can help you understand how much energy you are actually consuming and whether or not you are being overcharged.
How do you read a utility meter?
Reading a utility meter is not complicated, but it can be intimidating on first glance. In order to know how many kilowatt hours you have used, you should know that one kilowatt hour is equivalent to the amount of energy it would take to power a 100-watt light bulb for approximately 10 hours. Follow the link below with step-by-step instructions (and photos) to understand how to accurately read and interpret your utility meter:
READ MORE: How to Read a Utility Meter
Can my utility company reset my utility meter?
If you are actively monitoring your utility meter and usage and you have noticed that your utility bill and meter readings do not add up, contact your utility company in order to request a checkup. If your meter is more than a few years old, it may be in need of being replaced. Many utility companies are also replacing traditional utility meters with digital meters that are more user-friendly, so you might consider placing a request to have your meter upgraded.
Is my utility meter working properly?
If your utility bills are not accurately reflecting your utility use, there can be a number of possible causes. Your utility meters may need to be replaced due to faulty wiring or old age, or the information being distributed to the utility company may be wrong. Whether your utility company utilizes a human meter reader or your meter transmits data electronically, there may be a mistake or error in the transmission process.
Why is my utility bill so high?
In addition to added costs from unused appliances, it’s important to note that many utility companies have rates that fluctuate depending on seasons and “peak usage times,” such as in the evenings when more people are utilizing energy to make dinner, watch television, heat or cool the home, and use other energy-zapping equipment and technology.
5. Make Your Air Conditioner More Efficient
Your air conditioning unit is one of the largest sources of energy consumption on your utility bills, and for good reason, since you would certainly notice the difference if it were gone. To make the most of your home’s energy use, and of your investment, take care of your cooling unit to ensure it’s working properly. There are several ways to ensure your air conditioning unit is running smoothly and efficiently. Some of them require a professional technician, but others are easy enough to do on your own without spending a penny.
Routine Maintenance and Checkups
Each and every air conditioning unit, regardless of brand, model, age, and condition, should be routinely serviced and maintenanced to ensure any minor problems are found and resolved before they become major catastrophes that can costs thousands to repair.
How often should my A/C be maintenanced?
Every unit should be maintenanced at least once per year to ensure your home won’t be left without a cooling mechanism when summer rolls around, but we recommend having your A/C unit serviced in the fall as well, since overuse in the summer months can cause damage that is far easier and less expensive to fix on the front end than after months of use leading up to next summer. Take our word for it – you don’t want to be left without a working an air conditioner and a large repair bill in the middle of June.
Close Blinds, Curtains, and Shades
Closing blinds, curtains, and shades around the home while you’re away or when you do not need or prefer added light can prevent the sun’s warmth from entering the home and affecting temperatures. Also, the sun’s rays enter your home and reflect on walls and other surfaces. If this happens near your thermostat, it can also affect how hard your air conditioning unit must work to cool your home.
Utilize Fans
Utilizing ceiling fans can cut energy costs by providing a method of cooling and circulating air at a much more affordable cost than running an air conditioner year-round. In the spring and fall, when you don’t need the aid of a cooling unit to create a comfortable temperature in the home, or when you’re away, fans are a great, low-cost alternative.
How do I know if my home is energy efficient?
Wondering how to maximize energy efficiency in your home? Greenway Home Services can recommend energy-efficient appliances and gadgets that can save your family hundreds, if not thousands, on energy costs each year. We can even install and repair most major appliances and smart home technology systems, including:
- Washers
- Dryers
- Refrigerators
- Microwaves
- Ice Machines
- Ranges and Ovens
- Garbage Disposals
- Trash Compactors
- Nest Thermostats
- Nest Protect Systems
- Nest Cams
Looking for some help lowering your utility bills? Learn more about Greenway Home Services appliance repair, plumbing services, HVAC replacement, or air conditioning and heating services, contact representatives at our Memphis or Nashville locations today or schedule an appointment online.
