When you open your energy bill each month, do you feel like it’s always high? Of course, your energy can fluctuate on a seasonal basis when it’s hotter or colder than usual. But if this is happening consistently, then there’s something else going on. So if you’re asking yourself “Why is my energy bill so high?”.
Reasons Why Your Energy Bill Might Be High
If your energy bill is continuously high, we have some suggestions on where it might be coming from and what action you can take.
Old & Energy Inefficient Appliances
You might be keeping around some of your old appliances to avoid replacing them. But you could be paying the price through a higher electric bill. Energy Star ratings weren’t given to appliances until after 1997. Those retro appliances from the 90s might look cool in your home, but your wallet is feeling the impact. Even so, a refrigerator that you have been using for ten years is still going to be less energy-efficient than a brand-new model. If you want to see how much you can potentially save by replacing your old refrigerator with a new one, use this calculator by Energy Star.
Leaving Machines On Or Plugged In
Do you keep your devices plugged in all day and night? You could be paying even though you’re not using them. For example, even if you have your laptop shut off, keeping the charger plugged will consume energy. Turn off your electronics when you’re not using them and make sure they’re unplugged. Check out the Energy.gov website to see what they cost you. If you can have multiple devices set up with a surge protector, it can make this easier for you. Simply turn off the power going to the surge protector when you’re done.
Keeping The Lights On
Is your home lit up like a beacon at night? You don’t need to have your kitchen, dining, and living room lights on when you’re in your bedroom. Make it a habit to shut off lights as you leave rooms. Use more energy-efficient light bulbs like LED or CFL over regular light bulbs. You can get 25,000 hours of use off one LED compared to 21 incandescent bulbs. The ceiling light that illuminates the entire room may be more than you need.. For example, let’s say that you have a desk nook in your kitchen area where you work on projects for work at night. Instead of switching on the six ceiling lights in the kitchen, use a desk lamp that gives you sufficient light for what you need in the workspace. As long as we are looking at the ceiling, the ceiling fans you have installed in certain rooms, should be turned off when no one is in the room. The toggle switches on ceiling fans can also be adjusted to change direction, which can be optimized for the season.
Improper Insulation
Do you seem to frequently run your air conditioner all the time in the summer and turn up the heat in the cold winters? Your house might not be properly insulated to keep the heat or cool air inside. The problem is normally drafty attic spaces or old windows. Check your attic and basement to ensure it has the right amount of insulation. Consider investing in new windows. Installing an energy-efficient window film is another possible solution. You will save money in the long run when you make these changes.
Leaking Heating & Air Conditioning Through Windows
If you are keeping your windows open while running your heat or air conditioner, the windows have to work harder to do their job. Choose one or the other, not both. If you have your air conditioner on, then make sure all the windows in your home are closed tight. Otherwise, all that cold air is basically going out the window, with your money.
Call Atlantic Sun Control to Permanently Lower Energy Bills
About one-third of your expenses to keep your home warm or cool is caused by heat that passes through windows. Atlantic Sun Control can install products like Go Green window film, which can help decrease your energy bills for good by minimizing the heat transfer. Call us today at 571.410.3558 or request an estimate online and let us help you reduce your energy costs.