4 Reasons Why Your Electric Bill is Higher Than it Should Be
We need electricity to power everything from our phones and appliances to heating and cooling in our homes. That’s why we rely on different power companies to supply us with reliable, affordable energy.
Unfortunately, some households get higher electric bills monthly, even if they think they’re doing everything possible to reduce their energy consumption. If you struggle to figure out why your electric bill is higher than usual, here are four of the most common reasons.
4 Reasons for High Electric Bills
1. Vampire Appliances
Before leaving their homes, most people switch off their lights and TV or adjust the temperature to save energy. However, many modern devices continue to draw a small amount of power even when not in use. This is known as a “vampire” or “phantom” load and can significantly impact your electric bill.
A vampire device is any electronic device with a “standby mode” that continues to use energy when it is not in use. Common vampire appliances include computers, laptops, TVs, kitchen appliances, and smart thermostats.
Vampire appliances can cause your electric bill to increase by about 10 percent, translating to more than $100 annually in energy costs.
2. Outdated Light Bulbs
Most people don’t realize that lighting accounts for about 10 percent of the average home’s total energy usage. That’s why choosing energy-efficient light bulbs for your home or business is essential.
While old incandescent bulbs are inexpensive, they are highly inefficient and only convert 5 percent of their energy into light. Fluorescent bulbs may be viable, but they only convert 40-50 percent of their energy into light.
The best lighting solution to help you cut back on energy costs is LED bulbs. These lights can cut your lighting costs by up to 75 percent per year and last for over 20 years.
3. Heating and Cooling
AC systems are probably the biggest culprit for high energy bills. These units are responsible for cooling your home in the hot summer months and heating it during winter.
However, ACs require a lot of power to keep temperatures comfortable in your home. Depending on your home’s climate and size, these systems can use between 3000 to 3500 watts of power hourly. This figure can be significantly higher if you have an inefficient or outdated AC.
4. Poor Insulation
During the cold winter months, heat can easily escape from your house through the walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and any other opening. This heat loss drives up your heating bill and leaves your home feeling drafty.
Unfortunately, many homeowners neglect their insulation in an attempt to cut costs. An uninsulated house will cost you a lot over time because it will push your AC system to work harder than usual.
How to Save on Your Electric Bill
You Need to Shop Around for a New Electric Provider
Different utility companies offer different rates and plans. This is why you must spend adequate time shopping for an electricity provider with the best rates in your area. However, comparing electric prices from different companies alone can be daunting.
Fortunately, with resources like the iSelect electricity comparison tool, you can easily find an energy plan that best fits your needs, depending on where you live.
Educate Yourself on Energy-Saving Tips
Besides getting the most affordable provider, you must make a deliberate effort to make your home more energy efficient. Some simple things you can do include installing better insulation and adding weather stripping to your doors and windows.
Additionally, you may want to replace your old HVAC system with a modern energy-efficient model. Also, if you still rely on incandescent light bulbs, upgrade to LED bulbs. That way, you will lower your energy consumption and keep the cost of your electricity bill in check.
*This is a collaborative post.
