Save Money on Your Electric
There’s a reason not many people count winter as their favorite season. Things get colder, weather can make enjoying the outdoors difficult, the sun goes down sooner…you get the picture. On top of all of this, your utility bills also skyrocket.
If you live in a cold-weather area, you know how surprising it can be to get your first winter electric bill. It can mess up even the most well-thought-out budgets. However, there are ways to cut down on those winter bills and save some money. In this blog, we’ll tell you some good ways to reduce that bill so your utility expenses don’t break the bank this year.
What Counts As A Utility Bill?
First, let’s talk about what counts as a utility bill. Typically, your utility bill will consist of electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash/disposal. These are your public utilities. Internet and cable can also be considered utilities, but typically you need to sign up for these services. If you live in an apartment, some of these utilities are occasionally included in the cost of your rent.
For the most part, water, sewage, and garbage are the only utilities that are lumped into rent. It’s very rare that gas or electric are included. This will typically be a separate bill you’re responsible for paying.
Why Do They Cost More During The Colder Months?
Electricity and gas bills are usually the bills that skyrocket in colder months. This is for a number of reasons. For one, most people heat their homes using either gas or electricity. If you don’t want to be cold in your living space, you’ll have to crank up the heat, which will inevitably crank up the price.
The other reason is that people tend to stay home more in winter. This means that you’re using your utilities more than you normally would.
How to Save on Your Payments
Ok, so we understand why our bills are going up, but how do we save money? Here are some of the best ways to get those payments reduced this winter:
Get a Utility Checkup
The first thing you’ll want to do is schedule a utility checkup. Ideally, you should do this right before winter begins or as soon as you reach the winter months. A utility checkup will ensure all of your systems are clean and running as efficiently as possible.
A utility check up will help you find any issues too. These issues could be costing you more money, but they could also be warning signs for a breakdown. The last thing you want is your utilities going out in the dead of winter. A utility checkup could save you money and misery, so it’s a good idea to get one as soon as possible.
Switch to a Smart Thermostat
Although it’s an upfront expense, investing in a smart thermostat can save you tons of money over time. With a smart thermostat, you can change your home temperature after you leave, giving the heat a break, and then you can turn it back on before you get home so you’re warm when you walk in the door.
You can also set it to turn the heat down after you fall asleep, saving you money throughout the night too.
Wash Laundry on Cold
Washing laundry with cold water can save you more money than you think, and it cleans your clothes basically the same. The only reason you should ever need hot water is to sanitize or to get heavy amounts of soiling out. Otherwise, cold water loads should get your laundry plenty clean and save you money at the same time.
While you’re at it, if you’re able to do fewer loads in winter, this can help too. If you’re someone who likes to do a load of laundry every time they have a few dirty items, you can save money by waiting a little bit and doing a larger load.
Swap Out Light Bulbs for LEDs
LED bulbs are extremely efficient and can last for years. By swapping out your bulbs, you can cut down on your energy bills and spend less money on replacing your lights. If you really want to get fancy with it, you could replace all of your bulbs with smart bulbs. These bulbs are usually LED so they don’t draw much power, and you can turn them off remotely or schedule them to turn off after a period of time. Many smart bulbs even let you turn them off when you’re out of the house in case you forget.
Reset your Hot Water Heater
Check the temperature of your hot water heater and change it if it’s too high. The recommended level is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If your water heater is set higher than that, you’re just wasting energy. You can also invest in a hot water heater blanket if you choose, which helps to insulate it.
More Ways to Reduce Your Home Expenses
Still looking for ways to reduce those home expenses? Here are some other ideas:
- Turn down the heat and let the sun, blankets, and warm clothes help you keep cozy.
- Reverse your fan blades in winter to push warm air back down. Make sure to switch it back in the warmer months.
- Adjust your fridge to the warmest recommended temp possible
- Don’t block air vents
Also, if you ever find yourself in a tight spot with household bills, make sure you have the Gerald app. We can help!
Learn More with Gerald
Gerald is the best buy now pay later app for helping you cover those household bills and pay them on time. With bill tracking and interest-free cash advances, you can make sure you never miss a bill again. Learn more about Gerald and download the app today!
