According to Yahoo News, around one-third of households are already forgoing luxuries such as dining out, vacations or entertainment to be able to pay their energy bills. And with the cost of living showing no sign of coming down and national debt rising at all-time highs, finding small ways to cut down on your energy usage and save money can make all the difference to your quality of life and your bank balance.
If you want to lower your bills as you move into 2025, these tips can give you a solid base from which to work.
Reader's Roadmap
Stop Using The Dryer
If you’re able to (and not everyone is), consider stopping using the dryer to dry your clothes and hang them on a washing line outdoors or invest in an airer for the home to hang washing on. While this may not be the most aesthetic or convenient change, if you’re racking up huge energy bills by using your dryer frequently, even reducing the number of time you use it in a week can lead to significant savings, putting more money back into your pocket.
Turn The Thermostat Down
Start by turning the thermostat down by one degree and see how you feel. Then continue until you find that sweet spot between being comfortable and being cold (or vice versa if you’re cooling your home, you want to be comfortable after all). Once you find it, set it, and don’t be tempted to mess with it even if you feel the chill. Simply layer up and enjoy the comfort of your home while saving on your energy bills.
Take Devices off Standby
If you’re guilty of leaving things plugged in when they aren’t in use, stop. Unplug everything that doesn’t need to be plugged in and remove it from the socket if you’re not wasting energy by having plugs on standby for when you need to use them. This habit can cost you a lot of money over the year, and even though the mountains you save will be small initially, but when added to other money-saving measures, this can build up to a more considerable saving.
Get Your HVAC Repaired
A poorly maintained HVAC will consume more energy for it to do what it needs to do each time you turn it on. If you rely on it heavily and you’re not maintaining it or neglecting to get repairs carried out, not only will your repair bill be increasing by the day, but your energy bills will be, too. By monitoring the system and getting an hvac repair to help you restore it to full working order, you can take a proactive step towards reducing your energy costs and being a responsible homeowner.
Fill Gaps
Take a little walk around your home and see where energy might escape and air might enter. Check windows, doors, cracks in frames, the roof, the basement, and anywhere else that air can come through or escape. Then, get them sealed and stop this. Not only will your home be more comfortable to live in with reduced drafts and air escaping, but you will also notice a considerable saving in your energy costs.