If you’re like most people, at some point you’ve probably looked at a monthly bill and thought to yourself, “There’s no way I spent that much.”
Whenever we’re faced with a high bill, it’s common to search for who or what we can hold accountable for the unforeseen expense. When it comes to your electricity bill, energy experts use these opportunities to shine a light on how consumers can use less energy to lower future bills.
“It is human nature to assume there is something wrong,” says Travis Hardy, energy management supervisor at Northern Wasco County PUD, based in The Dalles, Oregon. “It tends to be a lack of awareness about how and when energy is consumed in a home.”
Each household’s energy use is different. Understanding how electricity is consumed around your house is the first step to conserving energy and saving on your power bills.
Energy Use Misconceptions
Heating and cooling account for the highest energy use in a home. One common misconception utility employees hear is that people are keeping their thermostat temperature the same, yet their bill is still increasing.
“If it is colder outside, your heating system is working harder to keep your house at the same temperature,” says Krista Bouchey, manager of communications at Orcas Power & Light Cooperative, based in Eastsound, Washington.
An easy way to start conserving energy is to adjust your thermostat when you are away from home and at night when you have blankets to keep you warm. Consider adjusting your thermostat 5 to 10 degrees and assessing the comfort of your home at the new temperature.
“Anytime you can turn your heat down or your air conditioning up, you are saving energy,” Mark Gosvener, senior vice president at Hillsboro, Oregon-based Efficiency Services Group.
Another common area of confusion is comparing a current bill with a past month’s bill. Many utilities have energy-use data available through online payment portals. Consumers can view and track their monthly, daily and hourly energy use.
“We encourage people to look at their usage and then compare what you used last month to this month,” Krista says. “If you’re seeing your energy usage has gone way up, you can start turning your thermostat down or finding other ways to reduce the usage.”
Knowing when you use the most energy at home is the first step to uncovering new ways you can use less energy year-round.
“Consider the existing environmental conditions on the outside throughout the year and how they directly impact the energy decisions inside the home,” Travis says.
How to Use Less Energy at Home
Once you’ve adjusted your thermostat, use these tips to improve your home’s energy efficiency and boost your conservation habits throughout the year.
- Seal air leaks. Caulking and weatherstripping are used to seal gaps around windows, doors and pipes.
“I had a door that had a little space, and you could feel the cold air coming in,” Krista says. “Look around your house and find those spots where you can feel cold air.”
Plastic coverings or heavy curtains help keep cold air out, especially with single-pane windows that offer less insulation from the outside air.
If you have a fireplace, be sure you close the damper after every use. Consider using a chimney balloon to keep warm air from escaping through the chimney and cold air from entering the home.
- Change the filter. Dirty furnace filters restrict air flow in your home and make your heating system work harder. Check the filter every month, and change it at least every three months.
“Dirty furnace filters can really make your bill jump high,” Mark says. “You have to be able to move air. Anything that restricts air flow is bad.”
- Check registers. Make sure all registers in your home are open and not covered by furniture. Restricted air flow makes your heating system work harder and your home feel colder.
- Use less hot water. The water heater is the second-highest energy consuming system in your home. Use less hot water by washing clothes in cold water and taking showers instead of baths.
- Layer up. Before adjusting the thermostat, put on a sweater, a pair of socks and slippers, or curl up with a blanket. This may be enough to make you comfortable without using more energy.
Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Once you have air-sealed your home and made positive changes to your energy habits, start planning for upgrades to use less energy.
- Add insulation. Insulation protects your home from the outside elements and improves your home’s comfort year-round. Start by adding insulation to your attic and floors. The amount of insulation varies depending on where you live and how much insulation is currently in your home.
Mark recommends insulating before upgrading your heating and cooling system.
“If your home is fully insulated, you’ll likely be able to purchase a smaller size heating and cooling system,” Mark says. “This will save you money in purchase costs upfront and lower operating costs in the long run.”
- Replace the HVAC system. Upgrading to an efficient HVAC system can result in your biggest energy savings. If your system is more than 15 years old or needs expensive repairs, it may be more cost effective to replace it, Travis says.
Some of the best options on the market are heat pumps, which can heat and cool your home. Air-source heat pumps can reduce your electricity use by 50% compared to furnaces and baseboard heaters, according to the Department of Energy.
Heat pumps are available in ducted models, known as air-source heat pumps, and ductless models, called mini-split
heat pumps.
- Seal ductwork. If you have a forced-air heating and cooling system, ducts supply conditioned air throughout your home. Seal all leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts.
“You need to make sure air is getting from the furnace to your registers,” Travis says.
- Install a smart thermostat. These thermostats automatically change the temperature to match your routine throughout the day and can be controlled remotely on your smartphone.
- Replace the water heater. Along with being two to three times more energy efficient than conventional electric water heaters, heat pump water heaters have several automated settings, including high-efficiency eco mode and advanced vacation mode settings.
“Taking advantage of these smart devices that will help you save energy is so important, and costs for those are going down quite a bit,” Travis says.
Need Help? Contact Your Utility
If you receive a bill that is more than you can pay, ask your utility about available assistance programs, payment plans and billing options.
For home upgrade projects, utilities can connect you with rebates, tax credits and incentives. Options may be available for HVAC equipment, windows, doors, washers and dryers, and smart thermostats. Some utilities also offer low- and no-interest loans for home-efficiency upgrades.
“When you aren’t working in the utility industry, you aren’t aware of all the good things and all the money that is out there to help you,” Travis says.