Why Is My Electric Bill So High?
If you’re a homeowner or a renter who has recently realized that your electric bill has gone up from the last time you remember it, then you’re probably asking, “why?”
There are many reasons why your electric bill might be high, from old, energy-draining appliances to inefficient light bulbs.
Today, we want to take you through the top 5 reasons your electric bill is high and provide solutions.
Even if you turn off the lights and air conditioner when you leave home, you may not realize that many appliances and entities in your house continue to use energy.
We refer to these as “vampire” drainers as they are still active and draining, even when everything else is dark. Think appliances like your stove or refrigerator, or electronics like your television or computer.
While you might think these appliances only draw small bits of energy at a time, all of that energy can add up. Even a computer charger plugged into a wall will continue draining power from your home!
Not only does this waste energy, but it can also put a dent in your bank account. Of course, these things probably won’t create a hundred-dollar price spike in your bill, though they can amount to higher costs over time.
According to the Berkeley National Laboratory’s U.S. Department of Energy, 10% of residential electricity usage comes from idle power.
The best solution is to unplug devices when they’re not in use.
IIf you have windows that are old or do not properly shut, this can cost you a fair amount of money over time. One of the biggest culprits behind high electric bills is poor insulation.
For just a second, think about your HVAC system. If you live in an extreme climate, you rely on your HVAC unit to keep your home at your preferred temperature. However, if you don’t have a properly insulated home, the air inside can escape.
About 90% of homes in the United States are poorly insulated, according to the North American Manufacturers Association. When you think about the fact that over 50% of your monthly utility bills are made up of heating and cooling, it becomes apparent how big of an impact this can be.
One of the most effective solutions to fight poor insulation is to check for leaks in the exterior frames of your windows and doors. Typically, you can fix a leaky window or door with caulking.
There are so many choices when it comes to picking a lightbulb, from fluorescent to light-emitting diode bulbs and each of these lightbulbs uses different quantities of energy. Below, we will break down the right choice for you.
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) and incandescent light bulbs emit light and heat in every direction, wasting copious amounts of energy. For this reason, many people are switching to LED lightbulbs, as they only emit light in specific directions. In fact, LED light bulbs use up to 75% less energy than your standard incandescent light bulbs, and they also last about 25 times longer.
Not only will you save on energy costs, but you’ll also save money that you would otherwise be spending on lightbulbs.
Switch all of your energy-sucking lightbulbs in your home to LED lightbulbs. We also recommend looking for LED light bulbs with an ENERGY STAR label, as they adhere to serious conservation standards, helping people to lower their energy usage.
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Did you know that energy rates can fluctuate throughout the course of a day?
Similar to the way you might spend more for an Uber on Saturday night during peak times, you’ll pay more for electricity during peak times of the day.
Most people work 9-to-5 jobs, meaning they are out of the house during the day. However, before 9 and after 5 is when energy use is at its highest. The demand for electricity increases, as people are cooking meals, watching TV, and browsing online.
With all of this in mind, you might consider limiting your energy use during these times. For example, try to refrain from having multiple lights on in the house when you’re not using them or keep your TV off unless you’re watching it. You may even consider doing some chores that you would do during the evening or morning during the middle of the day, such as vacuuming, washing clothes, or running your dishwasher.
If you live in a place where you get to choose your electricity provider and plan, you may also want to consider plans that have free weekends or evenings or use a tool like WattBuy that can take into account your usage and suggest the best electricity plan for you.
We know that you can’t control the climate, though it’s worth knowing that rates often skyrocket during some seasons if the weather is extreme. If you live in a place with extremely hot summers, for example, you might feel the need to run your air conditioner throughout the day. Just know that keeping your home cool during these times will cost you.
While you don’t have control of the weather, consider ways in which you can maintain the temperature in your home without wasting money. For example, try running your air conditioner exclusively at night while keeping windows and doors closed during the day to keep the cool air inside.
Offsetting Your High Bill With The Right Electricity Plan
If you looked at your recent electricity bill and started asking, “why is my electric bill so high?” we urge you not to panic! As you can see, there are solutions to mitigate each of these problems if you notice a rise in your electric bill.
One way you can offset the costs of your electric bill is by switching to an electricity plan that better suits you and your home. WattBuy can help!
Here at WattBuy, we make it easy to find affordable and renewable electricity plans designed for individual needs. In fact, we can help you lower your electricity bill by up to 40%! Don’t keep wasting money. Get in touch with us here at WattBuy today!