6 Ways You Can Save Energy to Lower Your Electricity & Gas Bill
Do you ever find yourself wishing your electricity or gas bills were lower? If so, you’d be happy to know that there are several ways you can reduce your electricity costs. An electricity bill is a household expense that can easily take your monthly budget off track. That’s why it’s essential to find solutions, such as making some simple changes around your home or business and being more mindful of energy usage. In this blog, we have compiled a list of the best six ways for you to conserve energy and get some respite on your electricity bill.
Home insulation is one of the best ways to improve energy efficiency and ensure your energy bills are lower in the long run. Statistics show that home insulation can help people save more than 10% on heating and cooling costs. In financial terms, you could end up saving around $180 every year. First, understand the signs of poor insulation:
- Is the temperature in every room variable?
- Do you notice any drafts around windows or doors? These are signs of air leakage.
- Are your power bills higher than usual when you use your furnace or air conditioner?
Second, get an energy audit done to determine where you need to focus on insulation upgrades. Not only will you save money on your energy bills, but you’ll also improve the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint.
Compare Electricity & Gas Tariff Plans
Electricity providers are constantly changing their rates and discount offers, so it’s a good idea to compare providers every year to ensure you’re getting the best deal. If you’ve been with the same provider for a while, you may be able to save by switching to a new one. Compare electricity NSW sites to compare energy prices from the top energy retailers in Sydney and NSW, including AGL, Origin Energy, Momentum Energy and more.
Consider these important things when you Compare electricity plans from different retailers.
- Decide whether you need a fixed rate plan or a variable rate plan. When deciding between a fixed or variable rate plan, ask yourself what is more important: stability or flexibility. A fixed-rate plan means your rate will not change, but it could mean that you are paying more than you should. On the other hand, a variable rate plan allows you to save money if rates go down, but you run the risk of rates going up and increasing your costs. Carefully consider your needs before deciding.
- Pay attention to the length of the contract—whether you need a short-term plan or a long-term plan.
- Another important factor is to look for company reviews. Customer reviews are easily available online and can tell you a lot about the comparison between provider’s plans and services.
Identify Major Sources of Energy Consumption
Identifying energy hotspots in your home can help you reduce your overall energy consumption. Some energy hotspots are easy to identify, such as appliances always left on or lights left on during the day. Other hotspots include refrigerators, swimming pools, or some difficult-to-identify ones such as drafts or air leakage.
Use an energy audit to monitor and track energy usage to understand why your electricity or gas bill is shooting up. After identifying the energy hotspots, you can start taking steps to reduce your energy consumption, including sealing drafts, using solar panels, installing low-cost energy appliances, and more.
Use Dishwashers in Economy Mode
Many people are unaware that dishwashers come with an economy mode feature, which helps to cut down costs on water heating. It’s a good idea to check the water-rating labels before purchasing a dishwasher. Pick one with the best rating as it will help you save money in the long run.
Dial Down Your Thermostat
One of the easiest ways to lower gas bills is by lowering the thermostat on your hot water system. According to the Department of Energy, you can lower your gas bill by up to 10 percent by setting your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees lower for eight hours a day.
Upgrade to a Smart Docking Station
Since the pandemic, work-from-home employees have been directly contributing to rising electricity costs. You use more devices than usual if you’re working from home. However, you can reduce your energy bills by making simple changes to your home. For example, use a smart power strip or surge protector or upgrade your power board to keep your devices from wasting energy while in standby mode. Ensure that you turn off appliances before you sleep to cut costs further.
Final Words
Once you implement these tips at your home or workplace, you will observe a huge difference in your energy consumption and bills. Ensure you visit a reputed energy comparison website like Electricity Wizard to get the best deal and choose a supplier that helps you get a good deal.