According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average electricity bill in the United States is $117.65, while that of Texas is $140.88. At the same time, Texans are the fifth highest consumer of electricity in the United States. The Lone Star State continues to grow economically, which means that reduced consumption of power is unlikely. However, at an individual level, the electric bill may be too high for you. You can think of a few creative ways to reduce it. None of these ways should inconvenience you or cause you to change your lifestyle significantly. Instead, they should complement your lifestyle by helping you live efficiently as opposed to diminishing your standard of life.
Here are a few tips to lower your Texas electric bill
They will help you reduce your electric bill so that you can spend those savings on other things in life.
1) Buy the Right Appliances
Devices that consume the most electricity in your home include the HVAC system, water heater, clothes dryer, refrigerators, and electric ovens. Studies have even shown that air conditioning accounts for 46% of the energy consumption in an average home in the US. A running fridge alone can cost you $150 a year. As you can now tell, the cumulative cost of using all your appliances regularly is high. You can cut down this cost significantly by purchasing the right devices. Doing that is easy. Check the energy rating of the gadget that you want to buy. This rating tells you whether the appliance you want to buy is efficient. The ones with the most efficiency will have an A label while those with the least will have a G label. Choose A-rated devices. They consume a low amount of power while performing the same function as those that use a high amount of energy. Consequently, you will lower your electric bill without denying yourself the convenience of having electric appliances.
2) Use Your Washing Machine Correctly
Buying energy-efficient machines will help you to a given extent. However, knowing how to use them is also necessary. For instance, many people use their washers inefficiently. For example, how often do you wash laundry with hot water? Did you know that 90% of the electricity used laundry is for heating the water in it? That means you can reduce your electricity bill significantly if you use cold water instead of hot. Remember, cold water will achieve the desired results in most cases. Hot water is only helpful when you are trying to wash heavily soiled clothes. Another way of lowering your electric bill is by reducing the laundry loads that you do in a month. Avoid turning on the washer every time you have a dirty cloth or a few of them. Instead, only use it when you have a full load. Doing so means that you will use the same amount of electricity to wash a higher number of clothes. Consequently, you will not turn on the washer as many times as you did before, and that is how you will lower your electric bill.
3) How You Use Your Air Condition Matters
Ninety-six percent of the people compromising the labor force in the Great State of Texas have a job. Most of them work for 40 hours a week. Why would you leave the HVAC running while you are at work? Doing that can cost you a lot of money given that it costs $0.06 to $0.88 to run an HVAC system for one hour. Reducing your electricity bill would be almost impossible if you keep it on while you are at work. Failing to switch it off means that you are also reducing its lifespan resulting in a lower level of efficiency. Another way of avoiding a reduction in the level of efficiency in your HVAC is by changing its air filters regularly. Doing so helps your HVAC to function correctly. The quality of the air that circulates in your home will also improve.
4) Run the Dishwasher at the Appropriate Time
According to the Energy Information Administration, 80 million homes in the United States have dishwashers. They have become a common household item since their successful invention for household use in 1886. Unfortunately, many people do not know how to use them efficiently. For example, only use your dishwasher when it is full. Let the dishes pile because doing so would help you reduce the number of times that you turn on the dishwasher. You also need to check the settings on it. Switch it to energy-saving mode as often as you can. Doing so will conserve both water and power. Consider airing it out as well. Studies show that you can save as much as 15% to 50% of the operational cost of your dishwasher if you use unheated air to dry your dishes.
5) Smart Thermostats Can Save You A Lot of Money
You can now buy HVACs with thermostats that adjust automatically. Previously, you would have had to suffer the inconvenience of doing it manually. Another advantage of an automatic thermostat is that it helps you cut down electricity costs. Studies have shown that it can save you as much as 10% to 30% on heating and cooling bills. All you have to do is to turn on the ‘auto’ feature on your HVAC. It will increase or reduce the heat in your home based on the prevailing room temperature. Remember, you will use 1% less energy for every Fahrenheit degree that you turn down using your thermostat. Noticing and adjusting to small temperature changes is difficult without this machine. Consequently, it can save you a lot of money for every degree that it turns down even though you might not notice that it did.
6) Choose the best power plan from a variety of options
Have you considered changing your power plan? The energy sector in Texas, unlike some states, is deregulated. That means there are many offers that you can choose from different companies. Perhaps the best way of reducing your electric bill is by selecting the most competitive offer. There is no reason why you should pay a higher rate than other people in the same state are paying. Check electricity ratings in Texas today. Determine which company has the best price and go for it. A simple switch to a new company can save you a lot of money each month. Go for it. You can also consider solar energy in addition to this switch. Having it and an inexpensive electricity rate from a reputable company would be an excellent combination.
7) Go For Natural Ways of Controlling the Temperature in Your Home
Sometimes, lowering your electric bill is as simple as opening your window to let the breeze cool your home. You do not have to adjust the thermostat all the time. Let the HVAC rest when it can. Instead, allow nature to offer you the cooling experience that you need. You can also plant trees near your home to provide shade. This shade will be helpful when the sun is blazing hot. It will cool your home by shielding it from the hot rays of the sun. That means you will not use the HVAC as much as you do today. Window coverings are another excellent idea. They keep the heat out during hot days while keeping warm air in during cold days. Additionally, sealing air leaks on doors and windows will reduce your need to use the HVAC as heavily as you use it now. Insulating your floor, basement, and attic would have the same positive impact as sealing air.
In conclusion, the cost of electricity in Texas is high, but you can reduce your electric bill by following the tips mentioned above. These tips are easy to follow. They help you experience the same level of experience using the same appliance but in an efficient way. Start following these tips today. You will see a significant change in your electricity consumption in the coming days. You will even teach your friends how to lower your electric bill.
