Electricity is an important utility, to say the least. It is arguably the bedrock of modern civilization, and it is necessary for a vast percentage of modern luxuries. However, electricity costs money, and taking full advantage of modern conveniences without the proper considerations can be quite expensive. Finding ways to cut costs on your electric bill is important for living a truly comfortable lifestyle. Here’s what you need to know.
Smart Home Technology
One of the most important ways to curb problem spending is first to identify it. Internet of things (IoT) devices and software can be used to do exactly that for your power usage. Installing a home energy monitor can allow you to get updates for how your electricity is being used in real-time, and this can start to paint a picture for you not only for where your electricity is going and how your money is being spent, but also how that needs to change to balance your necessities, your creature comforts, and your budget.
IoT technology also provides additional ways to curb your spending, however. Many smart home devices can be controlled remotely, allowing you to make sure that no extraneous devices are drawing excess power when not in use. Smart light bulbs are a commonly implemented convenience in smart homes for exactly that reason, albeit just as often for convenience as it is for thriftiness.
Solar Power
Another great way to save on your electricity bill is simply to change where you’re getting it from. Traditional, coal-powered electricity is the most accessible option for getting power to your home, and it’s one of the most effective. However, solar panels can be used to lower your power bill. It’s worth noting that solar power isn’t as efficient as coal-powered electricity, meaning that anyone solar panel will be insufficient for the average household.
It also comes with the restriction of only being able to generate power during the day. That being said, you can easily overcome these limitations. Switching to solar does, however, require a hefty upfront cost. You’ll need a solar battery to make use of your power around the clock, and this will account for the brunt of the cost of a proper solar power setup.
In addition, charging that battery will require additional panels to produce a surplus of energy during daylight hours. The switch to solar results in significant savings on a month-to-month basis. It will pay for itself within a year or less.
Natural Light
Another great way to save on electricity is to simply use less. While monitoring and moderating the usage of certain devices can only help, it’s far from the only way to curb your spending. There are multiple ways to address the problem just by giving your home more natural light, thereby necessitating less use of artificial light during daylight hours.
This also happens to synergize well with the use of solar panels. You’ll be able to facilitate the charging of your battery during the day by using less of the incoming energy. A great way to implement natural lighting into your home is to install larger windows. Older windows may not have proper insulation, and this creates an energy efficiency problem.
Simply put, older windows will make heating and cooling systems less effective and, therefore, more costly. You can kill two birds with one stone by upgrading your windows. Consider newer models and making them larger to let in more light. Alternatively, skylights can provide much of the same benefit without exposing you to blindingly bright light at eye level.
While electricity is a necessity in modern life, you don’t have to spend quite as much money. There are many ways to save on your electric bill. These tips can help you make a comfortable lifestyle more affordable.
Author: Finnegan Pierson
