No one likes spending money when you don’t have to. Save your pennies—plus help the environment and do your part in preventing California wildfires—by cutting back on electricity use at home. If you’re wondering how to reduce your electric bill, this guide will give you some creative tips and tricks for using less energy in your Southern California home.
1. Use Dimmer Switches
You know to turn the light off when you leave a room, but did you know that using dimmer light when you’re in the room can help reduce your electric bill? Install dimmer switches in your home and only use the amount of light you need.
2. Keep Your Freezer Full
Shutting the fridge and freezer doors tight saves on electricity—and so does packing both tight with food. Food acts as insulation, meaning your refrigerator doesn’t need to use as much energy to keep cold.
3. Adjust Fridge and Freezer Temperatures
Speaking of refrigeration, your temperature settings can be a part of your quest to figure out how to lower your electric bill. For maximum efficiency, set your fridge to 38 degrees and your freezer between 0 and 5 degrees. These temperatures will keep your food fresh while optimizing energy use.
4. Use Ceiling Fans
Air conditioners sap electricity, drive up your bill, and increase the risk of wildfires here in California on the hottest days of the year. Reduce the need for air conditioners by installing ceiling fans throughout your home to circulate the air and reduce temperatures so you don’t need your AC on, or on as high.
5. Close the Curtains
Another great way to reduce the strain on your air conditioner is to close the curtains and blinds, especially on the side of your home that gets the most sun. Sunshine raises the air temperature in a home, making air conditioners work harder to maintain comfortable environments. Invest in blackout curtains, check that your windows are effectively insulated, and even consider getting tinted window film to increase savings.
6. Take Shorter Showers
Warm water feels heavenly, but the price tag on heating it up for long showers can be scary. Commit to shorter showers, especially if there are multiple people in your household, so you don’t have to pay for heating up all that water. Hot water is the second-highest energy expense in a home, so do anything you can to cut back on how much you use.
7. Reduce Hot Water
In addition to shorter showers, there are other strategies for how to reduce your electric bill that involve cutting down on hot water use. Wash your clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot, lower the temperature on your hot water heater to 120 degrees, and upgrade to energy-efficient appliances, especially washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters.
8. Hang-Dry Laundry
Dryers take up a lot of energy, especially if you do a lot of laundry. To cut back, set up a clothesline outside in the backyard or patio to dry your clothing, or set up a drying rack inside. If air-drying feels overwhelming, consider doing it for every other load or once a week—any small step to cut back on big appliance use will help.
9. Switch to LED Light Bulbs
If you haven’t already, switch out your traditional incandescent light bulbs for energy-efficient LED lights. These lights use less energy, are better for the environment, and last much longer, making them a great investment.
10. Switch to Solar Energy
The beating rays of the sun are filled with energy, ready to harvest and use to power your home. Installing solar panels on your roof lets you save a lot of money on your electric bill, because you’re collecting much of the energy you need for your home from a natural source. Combined with these tips for how to lower your electricity bill, solar panels can help both your wallet and the environment.
Ready to make the switch to solar? Schedule a consultation with a Current Home expert today.
