Ways to Lower Energy Use and Lower Your Bill
Posted on March 1st, 2021
Energy bills can increase for a variety of reasons, like drastic weather changes, houseguests and more time spent at home. Small actions, like adjusting your thermostat, replacing old bulbs with LEDs and washing clothes in cold water can help you save energy and on your bill.
Replace standard power strips with advanced power strips to save energy. Advanced power strips look like ordinary power strips, but they have built-in features that are designed to reduce the amount of energy used by standby electronics that consume energy even when they’re not in use.
Heating requires more energy than any other system in your home, typically making up about 42% of your energy bill. With proper equipment maintenance and upgrades like additional insulation and air sealing, you can save on your energy bill.
Don’t keep your refrigerator too cold. The Department of Energy recommends a temperature setting of 35 to 38 degrees for the fresh food compartment and zero degrees for the freezer. Make sure refrigerator doors are sealed airtight to maximize efficiency. The average household owns 24 electronic products, which account for roughly 12% of home energy use.
When shopping for electronics, consider purchasing ENERGY STAR®-certified products, which can be 70% more efficient than conventional models.
Download and use the First Electric mobile app to monitor your energy use. It’s free and available in the Apple and Android app stores.
Ask about our levelized billing and other payment options by calling a member service specialist at 800-489-7405.
Learn more at: energy.gov