Why Your Energy Bills Are Higher Than They Should Be

Homeownership can get expensive, and some of the most frustrating expenses are the utility bills that can sneak up on you. Sometimes even when you feel like you are doing everything you can to keep your energy costs low you can receive a high utility bill. Understanding what causes those spikes in cost can go a long way towards helping you to keep costs low and run your home more efficiently.

Unclean Energy

While a lot of focus is put on renewable energy sources, some of those sources can seem unattainable for regular homeowners. However, energy supplies that come from fossil fuels or general electric plants can be more expensive than their cleaner alternatives. If you do have a home that relies on unclean energy sources, it may be worthwhile to look into upgrading your energy sources so you can get off the grid and live more affordably. Installing solar panels can be expensive upfront, but it can also save you money in the long run and even help you to earn money from your community.

Lack of Insulation

Even if you have a great ventilation system and are using reliable and clean energy sources, you can lose a lot of energy if your home isn’t properly insulated. Insulation can save you up to $1,500 in energy bills every year. Old windows, doors with gaps, and uninsulated attics can all help you to lose energy and end up spending more on your energy bill each year. By upgrading your windows, doors, and insulation, you can keep the heat in your home in the winter and the cool inside during the summer. It will also decrease your costs as you will no longer be paying to heat the air outside your home as well as in.

Constant Drains

One of the things that can lead to higher energy bills is small appliances that are constantly plugged in. Though things like stand mixers, toasters, and lamps may not waste a lot of energy on their own, the energy they lose together can add up. It is a good idea to unplug small appliances when they aren’t in use so that you don’t lose energy and pay for energy that is wasted. Figuring out where energy is being wasted in your home can help you to manage costs more effectively and cut down on waste.

Having high energy bills can be a stress on your wallet and on the environment. Staying on top of your energy costs and cutting down on waste can help your budget and the environment, so you might as well get started.

Read this next: How to Avoid the Pitfalls of DIY Home Improvement