America is one of the top energy-consuming nations in the world, along with China and Japan. The average American household consumes an incredible 920 kilowatt hours of energy per month, which can translate to some pretty high utility bills.
If you find yourself paying too much each month for your utilities, there are a number of things you can do to save money on electricity and gas.
Here are five quick, easy things you can do to reduce your energy bills every month:
1. Don’t go crazy with the thermostat: Did you know that as much as half of the energy your household uses comes from heating and air conditioning? If you were to keep your house’s temperature closer to the outside temperature — even by a few degrees — you can save lots of money.
2. Unplug your devices: Most household electronics continue to use energy even when they’re turned off or in stand-by mode — especially game consoles and TVs. To make sure you don’t waste electricity, just unplug your electronics when you aren’t using them.
3. Turn off the lights: This one may seem obvious — but one of the best ways to save money on electricity is to turn the lights off whenever you leave a room. To save money on electricity even more, avoid turning on the lights during the day — use natural light to your advantage.
4. Don’t stare into your fridge: Your fridge and freezer use more electricity than any other appliance in your kitchen. To keep your refrigerator and freezer from using too much energy, keep the doors closed as much as possible.
5. Switch electricity companies: Your current electricity provider might not always be the cheapest supplier for gas and electricity in your area. If you want to know how to switch electric providers, there are a number of websites that will let you compare electricity providers near you to find one that fits your budget.