Every month, your electric bill seems to be higher than it was in the previous month. While you would love to do something about it, you’re not sure of what’s causing it to increase in the first place. 

That’s why you’re reading this article: you’re looking for info on what causes electrical bills to rise. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. Without further ado, here are 7 preventable reasons why your electrical bill is too high. 

1. Your Windows are Old

On average, a home’s HVAC system comprises 46% of its overall energy usage. As such, if you can reduce the amount of strain that you put on your heater and air conditioner, you can save substantial amounts of money. 

One of the keys to reducing this strain is to ensure that your home is optimally insulated. The less heat and/or cold that’s coming into your home, the less your heater and/or air conditioner will need to work. So, in short, properly insulating your home will result in lower energy costs. 

Though there are a number of components involved in home insulation, the windows can make or break all of them. New windows are completely intact and will do a superb of regulating temperatures. Old windows, on the other hand, will be worn down and deteriorated and will allow heat and/or cold to seep through them on a regular basis. 

So, if your windows have reached their expiration date (usually between 20 and 30 years), you should think about making a change. 

2. You’re Running Your Heater/Air Conditioner When You Don’t Have To

As was noted, your heater/air conditioner comprises a large portion of your total energy usage. So, if you’re running your heater and air conditioner constantly, you’re sure to be using substantial amounts of energy. 

The thing is . . . you probably don’t need to run your heater and air conditioner constantly. There are likely times throughout the day when you could turn them off and still keep a comfortable home. 

For instance, what about the time you spend at work? You’re gone for 10 hours straight. You have no need to keep your home comfortable. 

By turning your HVAC system off while you’re gone, you could save a boatload of money. Then, using a remote thermostat, you could fire it back up again, just in time for you to reach your driveway. 

Your home will be as comfortable as you need it to be but at a fraction of the cost that you’re paying currently. 

Note, you might also have the option to engage in demand response programs. Read up on these by clicking the aforementioned link. 

3. You’re Leaving Lights On

Light usage doesn’t put a huge dent in our energy bills. That said, it still has an effect. So, every time you leave a light on unnecessarily, you’re adding a few more cents to your monthly bill.

To further understand just how much it starts adding up, check your monthly electrical bill and ask your provider to compare your spendings. A lot of providers are more than willing to assist you as you can see from previous experiences on the 4Change energy reviews.

If you leave a number of different lights on over a long period of time, you’re adding full dollars. This can, of course, add up. 

So, every time you leave a room, make sure to turn that light off. It’s really that simple. 

4. You’re Not Filling Your Washers Up to Capacity

Whether it’s your clothes washer, your dishwasher, or otherwise, if you’re not filling it up to capacity every time you start it, you’re wasting electricity. After all, the fewer items you put in it at a time, the more you’re going to have to run it. Each time you run it results in more electricity used. 

So, make sure it’s completely filled and make sure you’ve jammed it with as many items as possible. You’re bound to save several dollars on every energy bill. 

5. You’re Running Aging Appliances

As appliances age, they get more and more inefficient. At some point, they’re more trouble than they’re worth. 

For instance, an air conditioner is built to last between 15 and 20 years. So, if yours is 22 years old, it might be wasting more money on energy than what it would cost to just replace it entirely. 

See, as the years pass, new appliances get more and more efficient. So, by replacing your HVAC unit (or dishwasher or washer or etc.), you’ll be reaping the benefits of much greater energy efficiency. One of these benefits is, of course, cost savings. 

6. You’re Leaving Things Plugged In

An appliance doesn’t necessarily need to be turned on in order to use electricity. Gaming consoles, phone chargers, and a variety of other appliances use electricity even when they’re turned off. 

For this reason, if you want to save money on electricity, you’re advised to unplug your appliances when they’re not in use. This won’t save you a boatload of money but will likely still save a few bucks each month. 

7. You’re Paying Too Much for Electricity

You might be under the impression that you’re forced into an electricity price, that everyone is subjected to the same price, and that there’s no wiggle room at all. What you might not realize is that there is some variation in electricity cost. 

You can have your electricity price lowered by turning to a different supplier. So, Google suppliers in your area and see if any of them have prices lower than the ones you’re paying. You might just be able to score a deal. 

Your Electrical Bill Is Too High Because You’re Not Being Strategic

When all is said and done, your electrical bill is too high because you’re not being strategic enough. So, assess the reasons listed above, determine which ones apply to you, and do what you can to counteract them. If you do so, your energy costs are almost sure to come down. 

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