One of the major utility expenses for South Austin renters is the electricity bill. We use electricity in nearly every aspect of our everyday lives, from lighting and cooling our homes to conducting basic household tasks. But even though you use electricity to complete several tasks, you can still do it intelligently and save on your electric bill. By applying one or two of these straightforward tips, you can easily see real savings every month.
1. Raise Energy Awareness
The first thing you need to do with reducing your electric bill is to pay attention to which items in your home are consuming large amounts of energy. If your rental home has an air conditioner, the likelihood is that it uses more energy than almost anything else in the house. But kitchen appliances, TVs, computers, and many more could also be using more power than you think. Simply turning off or unplugging devices when they are not being used could add to cash saved on your electric bill.
2. Run Appliances During Off-Peak Hours
Across several states, there are times when electricity prices are temporarily increased. Using electricity during these peak hours, as it is called, can cause big spikes in your energy costs every month. To keep your bill low, make an effort to run large appliances such as your dishwasher and clothes dryer at nighttime or during off-peak hours.
3. Switch to LED
A quick and cost-effective way to save money over the long term is to switch to LED light bulbs. Energy-saving LEDs are assembled to consume much less electricity lasting months or even years longer than traditional light bulbs. Because of its success, LED bulbs in a variety of sizes and designs are available everywhere, great for each room of your house.
4. Change Your Filters
When you are running your furnace or air conditioner regularly, it’s advisable to change your filters every once in a while. When filters are polluted and congested, it will make it harder for your AC unit or furnace to cool or heat your house. This hard work consumes extra energy, which will translate to higher charges on your monthly bill.
5. Wash Laundry in Cold
Other energy-hungry appliances in your home are your washer, clothes dryer, and water heater. To save money using all three, wash your laundry in cold water and line-dry as much as possible. This will greatly reduce the amount of energy your water heater uses to supply hot water to your home and help you keep your house cooler by using your dryer less frequently.
6. Air Dry Your Dishes
An additional technique to save on the electric bill is to adjust the settings on your dishwasher. If you regularly wash smaller loads, try to shift to a quick wash cycle that will wash quicker and use less energy. Moreover, go for the air-dry feature instead of heat drying your dishes. This will help you save electricity, one load of dishes at a time.
7. Cool Down Naturally
There are some easy strategies to try to make your AC run more efficiently during warmer months. If the outside temperature is cooler at night or early morning, open your windows to let the cool air in. In addition, use table fans and ceiling fans to circulate the air in your house and keep the temperature cool. To conclude, close your blinds and curtains during the hottest parts of the day, let the hot air out and the cool air in. All of these can help your AC unit run more efficiently and save on your electric bill.
Are you in the market for a more energy-efficient rental home in South Austin? Contact us today and find out what rentals we have available!
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