Don’t you hate having to pay your utility bill every month?

Utility bills are usually a fixed expense too. This means that they don’t change all that much month over month. So when you see that number pop up on your credit card bill or bank statement, your heart sinks.

You want to pay as little as possible. Luckily there are some ways to lower your bill without a big investment. Here are steps to reduce energy use and keep more money in your pocket every month.

1. Cover Your Outlets

This is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to lower your utility bill. Many outlets are the gaps where air escapes in and out of your home. Outlets can act like a funnel, funneling away your hard-earned, paid-in-full energy bills.

To prevent this, you can place outlet covers on your outlets. Covers will help reduce cold drafts in and out of your home. This will keep your home at a consistent temperature.

This, in turn, will help to decrease your heating and cooling costs. Furthermore, outlet covers are incredibly inexpensive. You can even find them at most hardware or home improvement stores.

2. Replace Your Air Filter

Doing this regularly is a great way to lower your utility bill. A clogged and dirty air filter can cause your air conditioning or heating system to work harder and longer. This increases the amount of energy used.

Air filters should get replaced every 1-3 months or after 3,000 hours of usage. A new air filter can reduce the energy needed to provide clean, comfortable air.

Air filters are low-cost and easily replaced. You won’t need any tools or help from a professional. But if you’re unsure what you’re doing, it would be better to hire experts.

All in all, this will maximize the performance of your heating and cooling system. As a result, you get to save more on your bills.

3. Turn Down the Thermostat When You Go to Sleep

By doing this, your system will use less energy to keep your home warm and will cost you less money. Setting the thermostat between 60 – 65 degrees is ideal.

Consider using a programmable thermostat. This allows you to present different temperatures for different times of the day. With this, you won’t have to worry about setting the temperatures yourself.

A good programmable thermostat can save you up to 10 percent per year on your energy bill. Keep in mind, though, that these systems can be complex. Feel free to seek help from professionals instead of setting them up alone.

These small steps can add up to big savings on your utility bills. Get in touch with an expert and get started today.

4. Choose Budget Billing

Budget billing can lower your utility bill in an organized and monitored fashion. This option allows you to manage and plan your utility bills easily. Your estimated monthly payment will depend on your past twelve months’ usage and can help spread costs over the year.

It provides you with a fixed monthly payment every month and can give you some budgeting predictability. Another great feature of budget billing is that you can adjust it anytime. This can give you a cushion if costs unexpectedly increase due to weather or another factor.

Budget billing also allows you to monitor your costs and make any adjustments as needed. With this, your bill stays above what you can afford.

5. Go With Energy-Saving Appliances

One way to lower your utility bill is by using energy-saving appliances. Today, many large and small retailers have energy-efficient appliances. When shopping for appliances, look for the Energy Star logo.

Energy Star appliances use 10-15% less energy and water than federal standards require. They can help reduce energy bills effectively.

An added benefit of these appliances is that many utilities offer rebates when you buy them. Make sure to research the energy efficiency of the appliance you are considering. Also, check with your local utility provider to see what rebates they may offer.

Additionally, check with a professional installer to ensure the appliance is installed correctly. When put together, these actions can lead to significant cost savings in the long term.

6. Consider Going Solar

You can install solar panels on your roof to generate electricity. This is a great way to lower your energy bills. They provide a clean, renewable energy source that won’t produce pollution.

They need minimal maintenance and have a longer lifespan as well. Solar energy can reduce or even eliminate your electric bill. You can contact a service provider to learn more about how much solar is.

You can also save in tax incentives for installing solar panels. This is a massive incentive on top of saving money on your electric bills.

Also, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint and can even sell the excess power back to the power company. Installing solar panels is the perfect way to lower your monthly utility bills and earn money.

7. Insulate

Insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce utility bills over the long run. This is because it helps keep the heat and cold out.

Proper insulation prevents air transfer and reduces the cost of heating and cooling. Insulating your walls, attic, and ductwork can help improve your home’s energy efficiency. It also helps to install weather-stripping on windows and doors.

If you need help handling the projects, you can turn to experts to ensure it is done correctly. Proper insulation costs are generally recouped in energy savings within a few years.

Lower Your Utility Bill Today

You can lower your utility bill almost effortlessly with the changes listed above. You can see meaningful savings by practicing a few small changes to your everyday routine.

Start lowering your utility bill today! Do so and save more money for the future.

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