Top Mistakes People Make to Hurt Their Power Bill During the Winter

 

With winter close on the horizon, it's time to start hunkering down in your home so that you can stay warm and comfortable. In most cases, spending more time inside results in higher utility bills during the winter months. 

However, if you notice that your utility bill is getting exceptionally high, it could be due to mistakes that you're making without realizing that you're making them. To help get your energy costs under control, it makes sense to correct these mistakes as soon as you can.

Using Unnecessary Hot Water

Throughout the year, the temperature of the water that comes into your home varies depending on the outside temperature. Thus, in the winter, your water heater will have to use more energy to heat the water than it does in the summer. Therefore, if you're using unnecessary hot water, you could end up spending more on your utility bill.

The most common use of hot water where it's not needed is in your washer. For the most part, cold water will suffice to get your clothes clean, especially when using modern detergents. If you’re worried about killing germs, remember that the dryer will heat your clothes to much higher temperatures than the washer ever would.

Not Servicing Your HVAC System

As the weather turns colder, you will come to depend on your HVAC system more and more to keep your home comfortable. It's important, then, that you have your system properly maintained so that it can run as efficiently as possible. 

AC service and furnace service are both crucial to help maintain your system's proper operation and ensure that these units aren't using more energy than they should.

Not Setting Thermostat

If you have a programmable thermostat, it's important that you use it fully throughout the winter. Go through all of the settings that are available so that you can properly program your thermostat to turn on and off at the correct times. You'll also want to experiment with different temperatures to see if you can settle for a lower temperature in your home while still staying comfortable.

Not Insulating Around Doors

The doors in your home are some of the largest openings in the exterior walls. Therefore, they represent one of the biggest potentials for energy loss. That's why it's important to ensure that the door and the door jamb have a tight seal so that cold air stays outside where it belongs. If there's not a tight seal, it's important to use various weatherstripping methods to ensure that the gap is closed.

For the most part, preventing excess energy usage during the winter can largely be achieved by performing ongoing maintenance to your home and its mechanical systems. Therefore, if you're taking care of your home, you'll receive the dual benefits of an extended lifespan for the materials in your home and lower energy usage during extreme temperatures.

It Costs How Much?! 5 Reasons Your Utility Bill Is Too High

There are a number of different costs associated with maintaining a household. You want to do the best you can to keep your expenses low. One cost that may surprise you is your electricity bill. Here are 5 reasons your utility bill is too high.

Insulate Your Home

You don't want to let the temperature-controlled air in your home go outside. To prevent this, you need to keep your home secure. Shut windows and doors. You should even look into getting a specialized energy-efficient window and door options. If you haven't added insulation to your walls in years, it could be time to do that as well.

Air Conditioners

Your HVAC unit is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to your electricity bill, especially during the summer. You should replace the filter at least a couple times a year, and more often if you have pets. Air conditioners also require regular maintenance to ensure they run at top efficiency.

For added savings, you should also consider getting a smart thermometer to automatically change the temperature when you and your family aren't home. You can even change the temperature from your smartphone no matter where you are. This limits wasteful energy use and will save you money in the long run.

Use the Right Light Bulbs

Most people use incandescent light bulbs because they are the cheapest option when shopping at the store. However, the more expensive options can end up saving you more in the long run. LED and CFL light bulbs use less energy and last longer. This means, your bill will be lower with time and you won’t have to replace the bulbs as often.

Outdated Appliances

You have a number of different appliances in your home. As appliances get older, they require more and more electricity to run. You should replace your old appliances with EnergyStar appliances specifically designed to use less electricity and water. There will be an initial cost at first, but you'll see the savings in your utility bill.

Unplug

You may not realize exactly how many things you have plugged in at your home. Even if these electronics are off, they still eat up energy. While this passive usage may seem small at first, it adds up significantly. Unplug your phone charger and your laptop when you aren't charging it anymore.

You may be paying more for your electricity than necessary. If you want to save money, you should look into your behaviors in your home. When you make some of these simple changes, you may be surprised as you watch your bill drop significantly.