American families spend at least $370 on utilities each month, with rates spiking during the warmer and colder months due to added use of the air conditioning or heating. However, the increase in your energy bill isn’t only due to the increased use of air conditioning.
Want to know why your energy bill is so high? It’s likely due to a number of factors, including the fact that you’re staying home more often, are using out-of-date appliances, and haven’t switched over to clean energy yet. But, lucky for you, those are all pretty easy fixes.
This summer, you’ll want to beat the heat without breaking the bank. And, we’ve come up with 8 easy ways to help you lower your energy bill without having to make any drastic changes to your lifestyle.
How to Lower Your Energy Bill During the Summer
1. Switch to Clean Energy
What’s the easiest way to lower your energy bill while also reducing your environmental impact? Switch over to clean energy. No, that doesn’t mean you have to install solar panels. Companies like Arcadia are making it easier than ever to connect your utility account to their platform so they can match you with clean energy sources such as wind and solar. They monitor the market and ensure you’re getting the lowest rates. It’s a free hack that can reduce your monthly energy bill by up to 5% while also helping you and your community benefit from renewable energy. And you can sign up now and get $10 off on your first month utility bill.
2. Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Once you’ve made the switch to clean, renewable energy, you’ll still need to be mindful about how much energy you’re using. During the summer, it’s tempting to crank the A/C up full blast and leave it on to cool your home while you’re out. Instead, invest in a smart thermostat. You can set a smart cooling schedule that will ensure that you’re not wasting energy while you’re not home or when the house is sufficiently cooled off during the summer. Studies show that this can help you potentially save up to 30% on your energy bill each year.
3. Fill Up the Washer
Did you know that you use the same amount of water and energy when using your washing machine or dishwasher regardless of whether or not you fill it up? However, if you’re able to fill up the washer then you’ll have to use it less, therefore saving money on your water and energy bills. Wait to wash your clothes and dishes until you have a full load.
4. Unplug Electronics
Does unplugging electronics save electricity? You bet! Direct Energy once reported that simply unplugging your electronics periodically or turning them all off via a smart power strip could save up to $200 a year. Invest first in smart power strips. They’re designed to control power to each electrical outlet in the strip to improve energy efficiency. Then, get into the habit of unplugging electronics when you leave for work in the morning or go to sleep at night. This is not only a great way to save money on electricity, but it also helps prevent power surges.
5. Weatherproof Your Windows and Doors
Studies have shown that over 40% of an average home’s annual energy budget is consumed by windows and doors. So, this summer, make sure you’ve weatherproofed your windows and doors to prevent any cool air from escaping and hot air from entering. Doing this can help save you from 5% to 30% per year on energy-related costs.
6. Choose Energy-Efficient Lighting
EnergySavers reports that an average household dedicates about 6% of its energy budget to lighting. And, switching out your lightbulbs is such an easy fix that you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Try to switch over to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), as ENERGY STAR-qualified CFLs use about 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescents.
7. Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances
When you’re switching to energy-efficient lighting, go ahead and update your appliances while you’re at it. Energy-saving low-flow water fixtures can help you save between 25 and 60% on water usage, according to Energy.gov. And, with special summer deals on appliances, you’ll also find that upgrading your refrigerator, microwave, and other appliances are pretty cost-effective at the moment as well.
8. Pay with Your Cheese Debit Card
Want to save money while paying your utility bill? All you have to do is pay with a debit card that’s optimized to earn you cashback on each purchase. While this isn’t a direct way to lower your energy bill, it is a way to save money on your energy expenses and utilities each month.
And, we’ve even taken this a step further. Currently, we’re partnering with Arcadia to earn you even more cashback. If you pay your utility bill through Arcadia with your Cheese Debit Card, they’ll give you cashback on top of our cashback offer. Turn around and invest that extra money into your savings account or into making your home more energy-efficient.
Interested? Sign up to get your Cheese Debit Card today. Then, create your free account with Arcadia to switch over to clean energy and begin saving more on monthly utilities.
