How to save money on your energy bill this summer

Summer is most people’s favourite time of year… that is, until the energy bill rolls in. With hot weather just around the corner, it’s important to learn how to reduce that bill if it’s ever been an issue for you. Now, how can you save money on energy? In this post, we discuss some tips to try so you can enjoy a stress-free, financially relaxing summer!

Limit unnecessary power use

Cutting power use doesn’t necessarily mean relying on open windows for fresh air, or walking around your home in the dark. In this case, we’re talking about something called phantom power. Phantom power is the energy we use by accident, even if we’re not actively using an appliance or charging our phones. Many people leave all of their cords and chargers plugged in at all times, because then it’s easy to put them to use more quickly. However, anything plugged into an outlet still sucks up energy. If you leave your phone charger dangling from your wall or a curling iron plugged into an outlet near the countertop, you’re wasting energy without using it.

Obviously, it’s not practical to unplug every single appliance when they’re not in use. However, think about the smaller items you use daily, like phones, laptops, or speakers. Once they’re charged, consider pulling the cord until you need to use it again. If you often charge these items overnight, you can buy a smart power strip. These extensions can monitor whatever they are connected to, and cut off the energy use when it is no longer needed. This way, you don’t have to worry about adding onto your energy bill while you’re sleeping.

Use a smart thermostat

As technology continues to advance, so do our options for saving energy. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, they can be worth the investment. You can set what temperature you want your home to hit during certain times of the day, and it will change accordingly. This helps you limit the amount of heat or air you use during those times when you don’t need it running. You can also change these settings from anywhere, so the thermostat’s schedule will always align with your own. Many smart thermostats also allow you to track your energy usage as you go, either through the device itself or on a connected app. 

Reduce air conditioning use

Blasting the air conditioning is the biggest culprit of a sky-high summer energy bill. Most homes have air conditioning, and lots of people make full use of it for comfort. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do our wallet any favours once the bill arrives. If at all possible, you should try to limit the number of hours you put your AC to work. If you’re often away during the day for work, for example, you could turn the air off until you arrive back home. On cooler evenings and nights, consider cracking a window if air conditioning isn’t a necessity. You can also buy a tower fan to help cool down your space. While these will use up energy as well, it will be far less painful on your bank account. 

Use your appliances overnight

Since most home owners tend to run their appliances during the day, this is when energy prices usually peak. Demand means people will deal with the higher prices in order to do the dishes or laundry. However, if it works for you, you can likely save money on your energy bill by doing these chores later at night. Energy prices often drop back down after peak hours, so late evening until early morning are good times to run the dishwasher or do a load of laundry. These are both appliances that can use up a lot of energy during normal times, so it could be well worth it to delay your use.

Use the most efficient lighting

Finally, don’t forget how much of an impact your lights can have on your energy bill. Traditional light bulbs generate a ton of heat to use, are inefficient, and do not last very long. You might be paying through the roof just to see in your own home! Consider switching to LED bulbs around your house. These bulbs are cooler and can outlast most other forms of lighting. You will save money on energy, and also on replacements. If you use lamps during the day, make sure you turn them off and unplug them overnight too. 

Making small changes like these can make a big difference on your energy bill. You don’t need to use all of these tips, but even implementing a couple of them may give you a sense of relief. Here’s to a warm and energy-efficient summer!

If you have any questions about your mortgage, give us a call at Centum Home Lenders! You can reach us at 506-854-6847, or get in touch with us here.