There are many reasons why some of us have high electricity bills. Be it our dishwasher and washer usage, other electrical appliances and the list goes on.
But during the summers, our air conditioners running for many hours can be a big contributor to our increased electricity bills.
While we pay high bills and wish to reduce the, we also owe it to the environment too by reducing our electricity consumption.
So, let us discuss some of the best ways to lower our electrify bills during the summers.
Ways to Lower Your Summer Electric Bills
1. The Air Conditioner
Since we are talking about summer electricity usage, the first and main increased electricity usage appliance is the air conditioner.
There are multiple ways we can reduce the amount of electricity consumption our air conditioner uses and here’s how –
- Clean out your outdoor air conditioning unit: This is essential to be cleaned at least once every year, as the outdoor unit tends to get dirty when outdoors. This will make the air conditioner lose its efficiency and consume more power.
- Change your air filters: Changing the air filters of your air conditioner when its dirty, will make it easier for the air to be pushed through the system and will thereby reduce power consumption.
- Cleaning air vents and the unit: Your air conditioner has air vents, coils, fins, filters etc., that need to be cleaned at least once every year. The air filters that are removable need to be cleaned once in a couple of months. This can help save on energy consumption.
- Get a thermostat that is programmable: A programmable thermostat is power-efficient as it can self-adjust the temperature when you’re at home, when you’re not, when you’re asleep etc.
- Use the timer setting on your remote when you’re asleep: Set your air conditioner to run for a fixed number of hours when you’re asleep and then it automatically shuts off. This can help save electricity.
- Turn off the switch when not in use: Turning off your air conditioner switch when not in use is important to save power.
- Increase air conditioner temperature and use the fan: Lower air conditioner temperatures (like 18 degrees), will consume more power than higher temperatures (like 24 degrees). So, set your air conditioner at a reasonable temperature like 22 or 24 degrees and use the fan in accompaniment, to cool the room. This will help save energy consumption.
2. Use the cold/regular water option in your washer
Washers consume a lot of electricity and when coupled with the heating option, it takes up a lot of power. Therefore, use the cold/regular water cycle to wash your clothes and occasionally use the hot water cycle (only when required).
3. Shower with cold water
In the summers when you do not need hot water, you can shower with the regular cold/cool tap water and save on the electricity consumed when the water heater is turned on.
4. Unplug appliances when not in use
Computers, laptops, blenders and any electronic devices consume electricity even when they are not in use and drain powder. Unplugging them when not in use is always recommended.
5. Use energy saving lights
Use energy saving LED lights or compact fluorescent lights (bulbs and tube lights) in your house, instead of regular bulbs and tube lights, as it can save electricity and will also last longer than the regular ones.
6. Lower the temperature of your water heater
You can turn your water heater to a power saving setting like 120 degrees, which will still give you hot water, while not draining too much electricity.
