41.4% of households in Alabama say they have reduced or skipped necessities such as food or even medicine in order to afford their energy bill, according to one study by LendingTree. With just over one in five households having reported keeping their homes at temperatures that they felt unsafe or unhealthy, there’s no question that reducing the cost of the energy bill can be a major help to many. For those looking for smart, savvy, and even geeky ways to reduce the cost of their monthly energy bill, solutions range from smart technology to eco-friendly upgrades.
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The power of small devices — and smart tech
When looking to save as much money as possible on your energy bills, technology can be a helpful (and geeky) investment for several reasons, and there are a variety of small devices that can have a great impact. Using motion lights, for example, is just one way to cut down on electricity use, and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Installing smart outlets is another great option, which can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app. According to the Rolling Stone, such a device can be a fantastic way to turn off appliances that don’t necessarily need to be connected to power all the time — such as the microwave.
Cutting the cost of an energy bill can be particularly difficult in Alabama’s summer months, with turning on the AC a necessity for many. That said, there are a variety of ways that you can ensure that your AC unit is working efficiently, which can help you save money. In addition to regularly servicing the unit and changing the filter, using a smart thermostat can also make a noticeable difference. A smart thermostat will ensure that your AC turns off automatically at relevant periods throughout the day, which will help in maintaining its efficiency. In fact, experts predict that savings as high as 10% are possible when using a smart thermostat that can set your AC 7-10 degrees higher automatically when nobody is home. This means that you can rest assured that the tech is working to improve your AC’s efficiency — even when you’re not there.
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Eco-friendly swaps worth making
Saving money on your energy bills can also be done in a variety of eco-friendly ways as well, and it doesn’t have to be a hassle, either. One small yet efficient way to upgrade your home is by switching to LED light bulbs — while they may be a bit pricier than traditional bulbs, the payoff can be seen in the long run. According to Energy.gov, residential LEDs (especially Energy Star products) use at least 75% less energy than incandescent lighting — not to mention they last up to 25 times longer. When used for holiday lighting, LED lights not only consume less electricity, but are safer, too. Because LEDs are cooler than incandescent lights, there’s a reduced risk of combustion or burnt fingers, according to Energy.gov (and they’re less breakable, too).
According to one Forbes post, making eco-friendly upgrades in regard to appliances can also make a difference — for instance, an energy-efficient fireplace can reduce heating costs via heating your home with a renewable energy source. While investing in Energy Star certified appliances is a great way to conserve energy on a daily basis, those who aren’t in need of a new appliance can still make eco-conscious choices when running current appliances to reduce energy consumption. For instance, running a full load of laundry or a full dishwasher can conserve energy by preventing unnecessary uses.
Reducing the cost of your monthly energy bill can feel like an impossible feat, though there are a variety of ways to do so. From a variety of tech gadgets to energy-efficient changes that can benefit the environment, cutting down the costs of your energy bill can be made simple.
