Are you frustrated looking at the high dollar amounts on your utility bills every month? A simple solution is to take some measures to run your house in an energy-efficient manner and save on your home’s utility bills. According to a recent report the electric usage in the US jumped by 9.3% from 2019 to 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If your utility bills are touching the stratosphere, you need to think of how to cut your energy costs. Keep in mind that the actual monthly amount you spend on your utilities depends on where you live, how often you use the utilities, how big your house is, and the number of people living in your home, among other factors. Let’s look at five ways to save money on your utility bills. 

1) Carry out weatherstripping to seal doors and windows

Most people aren’t aware that their houses aren’t efficient at keeping heat inside. Using weatherstripping in your home around doors and windows can help you save on your electricity bills. Implementing this tip will prevent outside air from getting inside and changing the temperature. Before weatherstripping, you should scrutinize your house for any leaks and ensure that your house still gets adequate fresh air after the procedure. You can carry out door jamb weatherstripping to seal your doors completely when they’re shut. Whether you live in a rented apartment or own your home, weatherstripping will help reduce heat losses during both summers and winters. 

2)  Purchase electrical home appliances that are energy-efficient

You need to be aware of how energy efficient your home is to save on utility bills in the long run. After all, switching to energy-efficient electrical home appliances will help you consume less energy, resulting in lower utility bills. Electrical appliances such as dishwashers, air conditioners, laundry machines, and refrigerators, to just name a few, are used for different purposes but all consume substantial amounts of electricity. Therefore, buying energy-efficient home appliances that save on your long-term recurring monthly costs is a good idea, even if you may have to spend a hefty amount initially. Keep in mind that the initial investment will more than pay for itself in the future. 

3) Switch to water-saving faucets and showerheads

Water is used widely for a variety of daily chores. Whether taking a bath or a shower, washing clothes, utensils, or even cars, most of us do not think twice before turning on faucets and showerheads. However, to cut costs, consider switching to water-saving faucets and showerheads. Doing this will not only help reduce water usage and also the consumption of heated water. 

4) Save money on your home lighting

Replace traditional incandescent lights with Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), or energy-saving incandescent bulbs. Switching to one of these types of home lighting is one of the fastest ways to save money on your home lighting. Each of these kinds of lighting will save you money, even though some types may save you more money than others. 

5) Use dimmer switches

You can consider purchasing a dimmer switch that will allow you to lower the wattage of a light bulb and cut down your electricity consumption. A dimmer switch comes with a slide bar or a dial that will allow you to adjust the wattage and the resultant illumination the associated bulb will give you. The actual amount of energy that installing dimmer switches will save you depends on various factors such as the kind of bulbs in a light fixture, how long and for how much time you dim the light, etc. Keep in mind that dimmer switches will save you the maximum amount of money in the kitchen, dining room, and bathrooms since, typically, the wattage is higher in these rooms in comparison to the rest of your house.