Does your monthly electric bill make you cringe? Electricity can be one of the biggest expenses, especially during the winter and summer months. Thankfully, there are ways to save money. Whether you upgrade your windows or appliances, you can save money on your electric bill.
Upgrade Doors and Windows
Do you have older doors and windows in your home? Chances are you're losing a lot of your warm or cold air from the worn out seals. It can cost a lot of money to upgrade doors and windows. However, your reduced electric bill will cover the cost over time. If you can't afford to replace your doors and windows, look for ways to block the drafts. There are a number of products on the market to help.
Change Out Old Light Bulbs
If you're still using the old-school light bulbs, you need to upgrade to LED light bulbs. These use a tiny fraction of the electricity. Best of all, they have finally come down in price so that you can replace all the bulbs in your home without spending a lot of money. You can even find LED bulbs at the Dollar Tree. Another great tip is to simply rely more on natural lighting rather than electricity.
Use a Slow Cooker
If you have an electric oven, turn it on and then step outside to look at your electric meter. You will see the thing spin like crazy. Instead of relying on your oven for your family dinners, use the slow cooker. An oven can use 1000 to 5000 watts per hour, while a slow cooker uses only 70 to 250 watts per hour, depending on cooking temperature and size. Either way, this is a HUGE savings.
Install Blackout/Thermal Curtains
Do you hate the summer heat? Does the sun seem to beat down on your living room in the evenings? Blackout/thermal curtains can help keep your home cooler and reduce your energy costs. You can find these curtains in several colors and prints to match any color scheme.
Replace Old Appliances
Appliances have come a long way when it comes to energy-efficiency. If you have older appliances, you may be paying a lot to power them. If you have the money to do so, replace all the older appliances in your home. If you're short on funds, consider replacing the biggest energy hogs, like your oven and refrigerator. Do your research and buy the most energy-efficient appliances you can afford.
Install Solar Panels
It's true that solar panels can be expensive. However, there are a number of companies out there that will install the panels for you. The only catch is that any extra power your panels provide can't be sold to the electric company. Instead, the company that installed them will profit from the overage. However, being able to power your home for free is well worth it.
You don't have to pay an arm and leg to power your home. There are so many ways you can save money on your electric bill.
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