As we move towards winter and temperatures have started to fall, you may have noticed your electric bill going up. And you certainly wouldn\u2019t be the only one. HVAC can account for up to 50% of your electricity bill. The winter holidays are right around the corner. Heating systems running around the clock, holiday lights and house guests using extra energy and folks spending more time at home all help make your electric bill so high.<\/p>\n
Global prices have risen as a result of a shortage of natural gas producers<\/a>. It’s not unusual to see winter heating costs increase your electricity costs. But as global consumption remains high amid low natural gas supplies, we can prepare to see higher than normal electricity bills.<\/p>\n Luckily, we know a thing or two about keeping your electric bills within a reasonable price range. So, if your electric bills are getting too high for you to keep a cool head, read on! We\u2019ve put together our best advice to save energy and bring down your bill, as well as some info on homeowner\u2019s insurance<\/strong><\/a>, so you can protect your newly energy-efficient home.<\/p>\n As mentioned above, the amount of energy required to keep your home comfortable can really add up when it comes to cost. In the colder months, heating can have a hefty impact on your bill as well. But you don\u2019t want to be stuck sweating or shivering in your home<\/strong><\/a>, either. So, how can you beat high electric bills without compromising on comfort?<\/p>\n Did your parents get after you for leaving doors and windows open as a child? Does \u201cyou\u2019re letting the heat out!\u201d ring a bell? Well, it turns out they were on to something! According to the U.S. Department of Energy, reducing leaks and drafts in your home can save you between 5 and 30<\/a> percent in energy costs every year. To cash in on these savings and for a more pleasant electricity bill, you can:<\/p>\n It goes without saying that you should keep your fridge cold. But, if you have it set to a lower temperature than necessary, you could be raising your electric bill without reaping any extra food safety benefits. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, you should keep your fridge somewhere between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Dirty air filters both affect indoor air quality and make it more difficult for your HVAC system to work efficiently, driving up your electric bill. Make sure to replace your air filter every month to keep your bills down and your HVAC system in good working condition.<\/p>\n Keeping all of your air vents and interior doors open can help keep air circulating properly throughout your home. Just as in the tip above, this means a lower workload for your HVAC system and a lower electric bill for you.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to be up to date on all the latest tech trends to think about the benefits a smart thermostat could have for your home<\/strong><\/a>. While many models do offer system integrations with your smartphone, their biggest benefit may be in bringing down your bill. Many smart thermostats can be set to a specific heating and cooling schedule, and some can even use occupancy sensors to determine whether or not you\u2019re at home and adjust the temperature accordingly.<\/p>\n Excessive water usage can also be a big factor in why more of your utility money than usual is going down the drain. To combat water waste and keep your costs down, you have a few different options.<\/p>\n While it may seem counterintuitive, washing your dishes by hand actually uses more water than washing them in the dishwasher. And surprisingly, dishwashers actually work better on un-rinsed dishes. So, to save yourself some money (and some effort):<\/p>\n Unless you absolutely must wash specific clothes in hot water, wash your clothes in cold or lukewarm water instead. According to EnergyStar.gov<\/a>, about 90% of your washing machine\u2019s energy consumption comes from heating up the water.<\/p>\n This may come as a surprise, but the showerhead that came installed in your home might not be the most energy-efficient option. Consider a low-flow shower head for a replacement. Low-flow doesn\u2019t necessarily mean low water pressure, either \u2014 with many different options on the market, you can still enjoy a powerful shower with fewer gallons per minute.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re noticing issues with hot water in your home, it may be worth a shot to reset your hot water heater<\/strong><\/a>. This can help make sure it is working properly and efficiently, both lowering your bill and keeping your home safe.<\/p>\n Replacing any of your appliances<\/strong><\/a> that are past their expiration dates is a great way to make sure you are getting as much energy efficiency as possible out of your home.<\/p>\n You\u2019re probably already aware that turning off the lights when you leave a room is a good way to save electricity. But, you don\u2019t have to stop there when cutting down on your power and lighting usage.<\/p>\n \u2026with energy-efficient light bulbs! These types of light bulbs have gotten a bad rap over the years for not being bright enough, but with more options out there than ever, you\u2019re sure to find one that works for you. Using energy efficient light bulbs helps control how much electricity is being consumed. When your power usage decreases, so will your next electric bill.<\/p>\n Even if you aren\u2019t ready to fully jump on the smart home trend, a smart plug is a good way to get your feet wet. Smart plugs let you control wired appliances from your phone \u2014 for example, you can use smart plugs with your lamps to schedule them to only turn on at certain times of the day, thus saving both money and electricity.<\/p>\n Although the term \u201cphantom electricity\u201d sounds spooky, it\u2019s very common to have this type of wasted energy usage haunting your home. Phantom electricity usage occurs when you leave appliances, phone chargers, and other devices plugged in when not in use. Even though you aren\u2019t using them, they\u2019re still using your power and contributing to your bill.<\/p>\n After reading this article, we hope you feel more in control of your climbing electric bill. As we\u2019ve learned, there are some pretty small changes you can make that can add up to shocking savings.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re saving on your electric bill, why not consider saving on homeowners insurance<\/strong><\/a> as well? Elephant offers competitive rates and customized plans to help protect you, your home, and your wallet. Get a quote<\/strong><\/a> today!<\/p>\n The post Why is my electric bill so high?<\/a> appeared first on Elephant Insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As we move towards winter and temperatures have started to fall, you may have noticed your electric bill<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[15],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lauratotten.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lauratotten.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lauratotten.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lauratotten.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lauratotten.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=255"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lauratotten.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":256,"href":"https:\/\/lauratotten.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255\/revisions\/256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lauratotten.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lauratotten.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lauratotten.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Heating and cooling<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Look out for leaks!<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Reevaluate your refrigerator<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t forget about your filters!<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Open up your air vents<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Consider a smart thermostat<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Water use and your electric bill<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Let the dishwasher do the work<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Wash your clothes in cool<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Swap out your showerhead<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Reset your hot water heater<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Out with the old (appliances)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Power and Lighting<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Light your home for less<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Start out with a smart plug<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Fight phantom electricity usage<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The takeaway<\/strong><\/h2>\n