Energy costs have risen substantially over the past year. However, there are certain things that you can do to lower your energy usage. Some with little to no effort at all! On this episode, I’m going to cover five things that you can do to specifically lower your electric bill and save hundreds of dollars a year.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Shopping for a better supplier rate [2:17]
• Requesting a home energy audit [8:53]
• Upgrading to a smart thermostat [10:40]
• Using LED light bulbs [12:51]
• Unplugging vampire appliances [14:07]

Utilize your resources for lower energy costs

If you pay the utility bill in your household, it’s evident that natural gas and heating oil prices have risen dramatically over the past year. The cost to fill up your tank at the gas station is another major indication of skyrocketing costs. While we’re powerless to control the cost of oil, there are things we can do to lower our energy and electricity usage. 

First, you should check to see if you live in a state with a deregulated energy market like Connecticut. If you live in one of the 26 states that do, there are two components to your electric bill. The first component is known as the delivery rate. This is considered the “regulated” portion of the bill that consumers have little control over. The second potion is the supplier rate. Consult your electric bill to determine the kilowatt per hour cost. That is the rate you want to shop around for! You should be able to use a resource like Connecticut's energizect.com to evaluate which providers in your area have the best supplier rate and make the switch. 

Upgrading to downgrade your electric bill

Another great way to cut down your energy costs is to install a smart thermostat. These relatively easy-to-install devices learn your heating and cooling habits to use the most efficient amount of energy possible, ultimately lowering your monthly bill. Additionally, if you leave the house for an extended period of time and forget to set your thermostat accordingly, it’s easy to adjust the temperature from afar, saving you from a costly spike in your electric bill.

Connecticut residents have the added benefit of requesting a home energy audit through Energize CT. For a $50 inspection fee, a home inspector can examine your home for possible pitfalls such as air leaks, insufficient insulation, and inefficient appliances. They also provide professional insight on how to fix these issues if they are present. If you implement these upgrades to your home, you can significantly decrease your electric bill and heating costs by up to $200 per year. Listen to this episode for more energy saving tips!

Resources Mentioned

• 7 Ways To Cut Your Monthly Bills, #111
• Energize CT
• How Much do LED Lights Save?

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