BURSA, TURKIYE - AUGUST 3: Aerial view of solar panels installed at a field to supply power to Kestel district of Bursa, Turkiye on August 3, 2022. The power obtained from the solar plant established by Kestel municipality is used to generate electricity in official buildings and street lightings. The power plant, which consists of 4,000 panels became operational in March 2020 to meet the electricity the city needs with clean energy. (Photo by Sergen Sezgin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Ok, so my electric bill was UP $100! It’s been creeping up month after month. So we found some ways to save with 7 tips to save on your electric bill.

Solar Panels

Yes, I have signed up and joined the go green movement. Getting solar panels is exciting to me because my house is perfect for it. I can put them on the back roof, to maintain curb appeal. I’m promised that my electric bill will go away, and with a much lower monthly payment to pay off panels. Consequently my friends are chiming in: Jaybeau the panels will protect your roof from the sun! My other friend says: watch out for leaks when they drill holes in your roof!

Tax Incentive

In April, I will get a one-time $6900 back from the government. But that money must be put towards the panel payments.

Once the panels are paid off, I am eligible for a yearly credit of $2200, so I am told, by my positive friend mentioned above.

Referrals

Before I signed on the dotted IPAD, I checked around to see who had panels for more than a year. My friend who’s a very successful construction business owner shared some tips. He recommended getting them for a few reasons mentioned above. There’s those tax incentives as well as the roof protection. He preferred to pay for them at once, which got him that yearly credit. Tim has had his panels for seven years. I asked if he would do it again: absolutely, he replied.

My next door neighbor moved in last November. The house she bought ALREADY had panels installed from the previous owner. The solar electricity generated from her panels cover her electric bills completely.  So to me, adding the panels add value to my house. Hey, we have to pay someone for electricity, right? Why not pay myself, paying off panels, adding value to the house? Well, that’s my plan. We’ll see if it works!

So here we go with 7 tips to save on your electric bill. (Some tips from cnet.com.)

  • If AC Is ON, Check The TOP Windows

    I am blessed to have central air. BUT, on the hot days last week, I noticed I couldn’t get my AC under 75 degrees. WHAT? Yes, we kept opening the deck door for guests. BUT, it should be colder! What did I do? I went around to EVERY window and discovered that EACH TOP WINDOW was SLIGHTLY cracked open……JUST enough for cold air to escape. That fix was enough to drop that temp!

  • Turn Down Water Heater

    Many water heater manufacturers set thermostats at 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 C). But in reality, most households only need it set at a maximum of 120 F. Setting your water heater to a lower temperature can save hundreds of dollars a year.

    Adjusting a water heater’s temperature is a quick and easy fix. The thermostat dial on your water heater is likely near the bottom of the tank on the electric or gas control valve. Be sure to check the owner’s manual for instructions to adjust it — and if you have any questions, consult a professional technician.

  • Unplug What You're Not Using

    By leaving things around your house plugged in and turned on when you aren’t using them, you’re driving up your electric bill unnecessarily.

    You can start by turning off lights when you aren’t in the room or when it’s light enough outside to rely solely on natural light. Lightbulbs consume 4 cents per hour for 40 watts (though the average American is likely to pay more). That amount only increases with the wattage of the bulb. While it doesn’t seem like much, it can certainly add up over time.

  • Use Dishwasher

    It might sound counterintuitive to suggest running an appliance to save on your electricity bill. And yes, there was a time where dishwashers used far more water than they do today. But the Department of Energy regulates how much water modern dishwashers can use. Any dishwasher manufactured since 2013 is limited to using 5 gallons of water. If it’s a compact size dishwasher, it’s limited to 3.5 gallons. 

  • Change Your Air Filters

    Your air filter helps to catch any dirt, dust, pet hair and more, preventing it from making its way into your HVAC. When you don’t change your air filters regularly enough, this debris gets into your HVAC system and bogs it down, reducing its efficiency. According to the Department of Energy, replacing your filters on schedule can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by anywhere from 5% to 15%.

  • Take Advantage of Off Peak Rates

    Electricity use tends to be higher during certain times of the day and the year. First, demand is higher in the winter and summer when people are running heaters and air conditioners. It’s also higher during the daytime and evening hours.

    Some electricity companies offer time-of-use plans, increasing rates during peak hours and decreasing them during off-peak hours. If you have one of these plans, you can save money by running large appliances like your dishwasher and washing machine early in the morning or late at night.

  • Turn Down Your Thermostat

    An oldie but goody. I have become my Dad. When I bought my new home, I checked the propane usage of the former owner. They had their heat CRANKED so high, the filled the propane MONTHLY in the winter! Once we took over, by monitoring the temp constantly, I got the propane fill up down to every 6 to 7 weeks, saving one entire fill up.

    One of the simplest ways to reduce your electricity bill is to adjust your thermostat. According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% on your heating and cooling costs by adjusting your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours per day. In other words, keep it a bit warmer in the summer and a bit cooler in the winter.

    A simple way to do this is to adjust your thermostat when you’re either asleep or away from home. If you have a smart thermostat, you can preset your thermostat to adjust during these hours so you don’t forget.

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