Electricity costs are on the rise and a major source of concern for most of us. In this post we will look at 9 ways to reduce your electricity bill and save some money.
9 ways to reduce your electricity bill
- Batch cook
- Use appropriate lighting
- Turn off plugs with the switch when not in use
- Fill the kettle appropriately
- Don’t overload your appliances
- Wash clothes when dirty or needing a refresh
- Dry your laundry naturally
- Take shorter showers
- As needed replace lightbulbs and appliances with the most energy efficient option you can afford
Batch cooking
Batch cooking reduces electricity because you are using your cooker to it’s full potential. Instead of putting one thing in the oven you cook several meals at once. Getting the most value for money with your electricity and reducing the amount of electricity you use overall in the month.
Use appropriate lighting
Lighting your house up like a Christmas tree is a waste of electricity. Use lighting that is appropriate to your task. Switch off the ceiling (big) light when the room is bright enough to not require it. Instead use smaller lamps for specific tasks, with lower level wattage bulbs, to save electricity.
Turn off plugs
It is not enough to unplug a socket. If you want to save electricity you need to switch your plugs off at the socket when they are not in use. Current will still be going to the socket and wasting electricity otherwise.
Fill the kettle appropriately
There is no need to be boiling extra water. This is not a more is more situation unless you intend to keep the water hot in a decent flask.
However if you are a big tea drinker and go through several cups in short succession a tea pot is a great way to reduce the number of times you turn on the kettle for a hot drop.
Don’t overload your appliances
If you over fill your fridge or freezer they have to work harder to run. That’s burning through electricity at a higher rate than is necessary.
The same is true of your washing machine and dryer. If you overload them you clothes won’t wash or dry efficiently and you will need to run the machines longer to get the desired effect.
Wash clothes when dirty or needing a refresh
There is no need to wash your clothes after every single use. It wears your clothes and washing machine out quicker and wastes electricity.
Also be careful to only put a wash on when you are certain you’ll have the time and inclination to dry them. If you leave the freshly washed laundry in the washing machine too long you will need to rewash them and it is a waste of electricity.
Reduce your electricity bill bonus tip
Washing your clothes at a lower temperature will save you electricity because your machine won’t have to heat the water to such a high temperature. The same can be said for shorter wash cycles. When the machine doesn’t need to work hard it uses less electricity.
Dry your laundry naturally to reduce your electricity bill
Tumble drying your clothes is expensive. If you want an easy but truth be told less convenient way to reduce your electricity bill then drying your laundry naturally is a big one.
Making use of a washing line outside or a drying rack inside are two ways to dry your clothes naturally. Not only will you save money but your clothes will smell fresher too!
Take shorter showers
Shower for hygiene instead of self care. Taking shorter showers will reduce your electricity bill because you are heating less water. Self care is important and if yours is the shower consider mixing it through with alternative self care methods to reduce the frequency of longer showers.
Reduce your electricity bill bonus tip
Turning down the water heater by one degree will save you money and you shouldn’t notice any big difference in the temperature.
As needed replace lightbulbs and appliances with the most energy efficient option you can afford
Replacing your lightbulbs and appliances with better eco friendly ratings is a great way to reduce your electricity bill and see some big savings. However you don’t want to be spending money replacing perfectly functional items in your home. Instead replace with the most energy efficient option you can afford when needed.
Further reading
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Frugal Mama Ireland 