With energy prices on the rise, many people have been receiving high energy bills. This can be shocking, not to mention confusing, as you feel like you didn’t use that much energy, surely— or did you?
When you feel like your energy usage hasn’t dramatically changed in relation to the price that has changed, you can find yourself desperate for solutions. And while it may be no fun paying a high energy bill, the good news is that there are ways to bring it down again. It’s all about identifying where your energy “vampires” are, and how to address them.
Here are some potential factors that could be driving up your energy costs.
Old Appliances
While many people’s first instinct may be that they need to turn off appliances, or the lights, the truth is that it may not be a question of your usage, but rather the amount that your appliances are draining.
Older refrigerators or freezers that need to be repaired, washing machines that haven’t been replaced in years, or old water heaters that lack energy efficient technology can be a major drain on your energy source.
Upgrade to new appliances that are Energy Star certified. Yet, buying new appliances isn’t enough. You also need to perform regular maintenance from cleaning coils to checking for sediment. The more you stay up to date with your maintenance schedule, the better you still get out of your appliances
Poor Insulation
If you live in a home that is charming yet old, then you could be losing a significant amount of heating or cooling through drafty windows and doors. When your home is not properly insulated it means that your HVAC system has to work even harder to keep things at your desired temperature.
You want to check for drafts around windows and doors, and seal any gaps with weather stripping or with caulk. If you have an attic, consider adding insulation to keep the heat in during the colder months, and the heat out when the temperatures rise.
High Electronics Usage
If you’re someone who uses electronics regularly, then this could be an obvious drain on your electricity. And while you may not be able to avoid using your everyday electronics like your television or your computer, you can turn them off entirely when not in use.
Rather than leaving things on sleep mode or plugged in, consider unplugging them entirely. This is because even when they’re plugged in they still continue to drain a small amount of energy.
While it may seem unsubstantial, the truth is that over time these small amounts of energy can significantly add up over the course of the year. Consider investing in small power strips that cut off power on the timer if you don’t think you can be mindful about remembering to turn it off yourself.
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