Your electric bill can increase during the colder months, so it’s important to be mindful of steps you can take to save money. Here’s our list of tips on how to save money on your electric bill.
Keep Your Fridge and Freezer Stocked
Keeping your fridge and freezer stocked will help reduce your electric bill since there will be less air to cool. Refrigerators and freezers typically consume a large amount of energy, especially if you don’t keep them stocked with food and drinks. Ensuring that you keep these appliances fully stocked can save you a trip to the grocery store, which saves money, but it will also reduce your electric bill. Consider tightly packing the items in your fridge or freezer before adjusting the internal temperature so that way the items can keep each other cold. It’s important to make sure you do not overfill your fridge or freezer since this could hinder air circulation in your appliances.
Along with tightly packing the items in your appliances, you should always keep your food and drinks sealed. Not only will your unsealed foods dry out but the moisture that’s released can cause your fridge or freezer’s compressor to work even harder.
Laundry Usage
After sorting through your laundry, measure your loads and aim to always wash a full one. It takes as much energy and water to wash a full load as it does a half a load, unless your washing machine has special features or a half-load setting option.
Many people might choose to wash their clothes during the day, but waiting to wash your clothes until after 8 p.m. can lower your electric bill because many energy companies charge extra during “peak hours.” Stick to warm or cold water when you do laundry. If you choose to do a cold rinse, it’s important to hot wash your machine regularly to ensure that it stays clean and sanitized.
It’s best to air-dry your clothes when it comes to saving money because you’re not using up any heat. Another option is to look into investing in affordable dryer balls. Dryer balls speed up the process of separating your wet clothes and allows warm air to flow between your clothes quicker.
Eliminate Dust
Keep your vents open and clean to save more money. Dust and dander can cause your system to work harder because these particles are hindering air circulation, costing you more money. Replace your air filters monthly or switch to permanent air filters to promote effective air flow.
Appliance Usage
Whether you’re out of town or just going to work, make sure to unplug your appliances when they’re not in use. Having appliances run all day adds an unnecessary cost. Since unplugging each appliance is a tedious task, an alternative is to plug your appliances into a power strip and shut off the power with just one click.
Similar to your fridge or freezer, a dishwasher requires a lot of energy consumption because you’re heating the water at a quicker rate and in large quantities. Reduce the consumption by hand-washing and -drying your dishes.
By taking the necessary steps to figure out what you can do to lower your electric bill, you’ll be a step closer toward building a brighter financial future.
Erin Ellis
Accredited Financial Counselor ®
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union
eellis@PFCU.COM