One of the leading utility expenses for Ellicott City renters is the electricity bill. We use electricity in almost every aspect of our day-to-day lives, from lighting and cooling our homes to completing basic household tasks. But even though you need electricity to accomplish certain things, you can still do so in an intelligent approach that will help you save on your electric bill. By following some of these easy steps, you might be able to enjoy real savings every month.
1. Raise Energy Awareness
The easiest way to begin 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 probabilities are it uses more energy than almost anything else in the house. Yet, kitchen appliances, TVs, computers, and so forth could also be using more power than you think. Simply turning off or unplugging devices when they are not in use could contribute significant money saved on your electric bill.
2. Run Appliances During Off-Peak Hours
In several states, there are also times when electricity is more expensive. Using electricity during these peak hours, as they are called, may cause huge spikes in your energy costs each month. To keep your bill low, decide to run large appliances like your dishwasher and clothes dryer at night or during off-peak hours.
3. Switch to LED
The easiest and cheapest way to save money over the long run is to switch to LED light bulbs. Energy-saving LEDs are built to consume much less electricity while lasting months or even more years compared to traditional light bulbs. Since they are popular, you can easily spot LED bulbs in various sizes and types, suitable for any room in your house.
4. Change Your Filters
When you are running your furnace or air conditioner a lot, it’s imperative to change your filters constantly. When filters get dusty and filled up, they will force your AC unit or furnace to work more to cool or heat your house. This hard work consumes additional energy, which will translate to higher charges on your monthly bill.
5. Wash Laundry in Cold
A few of the most energy-hungry appliances in your home are your washer, clothes dryer, and water heater. To conserve money using all three, wash your laundry in cold water and line-dry if applicable. This will not only help reduce the amount of energy your water heater uses to supply hot water to your house but can help you keep your house cooler by using your dryer less frequently, as well.
6. Air Dry Your Dishes
Another approach to save on the electric bill is to adjust the settings on your dishwasher. If you frequently wash smaller loads, try switching to a quick wash cycle that will wash rapidly and use less energy. In addition, select the air-dry feature instead of heat drying your dishes. This will help you save electricity, one load of dishes at once.
7. Cool Down Naturally
There are several easy tips 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. Furthermore, use table fans and ceiling fans to circulate the air in your household to make everything cool. Ultimately, close your blinds and curtains in the hottest parts of the day, let the hot air out and the cool air in. All of these can make 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 Ellicott City? Contact us today and see what rentals we have available!
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