The coronavirus crisis means people are spending more time at home, and that extra time spent in your home will add to your energy bills.
Although warmer weather and lighter evenings mean you will use less energy, you could still see higher energy bills simply because you are spending more time indoors. Here’s some tips to help you save:
- Drop the heating by a degree or two – Just turning the thermostat down by one degree can save you as much as $70 a year.
- Use energy efficient lighting – It costs about $115 to replace all of the standard light bulbs in an average-size house with LED bulbs. However, LEDs last longer and will cut lighting energy costs by 80-90 percent per year. The average payback period for an LED light bulb conversion is less than three months.
- Make the most of the natural light – Keep curtains open during the daytime to let natural light in and save.
- Service and/or turn off appliances – Never leave unused electrical appliances on standby when not in use. Turn them off at the wall when not in use can save a household of four up to $90 a year.
- Adjust your hot water heater – Set your hot water heater from 140 to 120 degrees. It’s an easy way to lower your utility bill by up to 10 percent.
- Don’t work long hours – The additional hours add to your electricity bill. Try to make sure you switch off in the evening, both for your state of mind and the state of your energy bills.
Source: OPPD
May 2020