Here are ways to lower your electric bill, according to experts

New York’s Staten Island. Since our electricity bills fluctuate from month to month, many of us face the same dilemma: Why is my bill so high, and how can I lower it?

A power bill is determined by a number of elements, some of which we can control and others of which we cannot. Arbor, a digital energy platform that assists consumers in making the transition to renewable energy, makes the following recommendations to identify the fundamental cause of these electricity spikes:

1. You leave the lights on

This is an easy tip that can have a significant impact. It is a waste of money to leave lights on in a room when you are not using it.

How to get it lower:

Turn out the lights in any rooms you won’t be returning to in the next ten to fifteen minutes. Make use of LED light bulbs, which use less electricity.

2. Extreme weather

Temperature control raises your bill whether you’re turning up the heater or air conditioner. Additionally, you could anticipate an even greater price hike when everyone on your grid follows suit.

How to get it lower:

In order to avoid turning up the heat, bundle up throughout the winter. Or think about staying warm by using a fireplace. In the summer, turn off the shades and use fans.

3. High electricity rate

The most likely cause of a high energy bill is a high cost per kilowatt-hour. Bill increases might result from even little changes in wholesale pricing. In deregulated states like New York, where providers compete with one another, this is particularly true.

Additionally, the cost of operating electrical equipment changes according to the time of day on certain plans. Depending on the time of day, electric companies charge higher prices for the same amount of electricity utilized.

These are typically the busiest times:

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  In the morning, from 6 to 9 a.m.
  
• 
  After work, from 5 to 9 p.m.
  
• 
  Holidays like July 4th, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and New Year s
  
• 
  Over weekends throughout most of the day
  
• 
  During periods of extreme heat or cold in the summer and winter
  

How to get it lower:

Find out if your supplier costs more during peak hours by researching their rates. After that, try to locate a different supplier or stay away from consuming power during busy times.

4. Devices drawing more energy

Electrical gadgets that continue to consume power even after they are shut off are referred to as vampire devices. Instead of completely shutting off, many remain in standby mode. You pay for them directly as part of your utility bills, even though this allows you to turn them on more quickly. Among the offenders are:

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  Smart TVs
  
• 
  Computers
  
• 
  Coffee makers
  
• 
  Chargers
  

How to get it lower:

When not in use, unplug these gadgets. Additionally, don’t forget to disconnect them prior to your trip.

5. Behind-the-scenes price changes

Costs of electricity frequently rise following an increase in:

• 
  Oil, coal, or natural gas prices (these fossil fuels are burned to generate electricity)
  
• 
  Fuel and transportation prices from delivering the energy source to a power station
  
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  Power generation availability
  
• 
  Weather extremes
  
• 
  Supply chain issues
  
• 
  World events
  
• 
  Service charges incurred to maintain grid stability
  
• 
  Inflation
  

How to get it lower:

When these problems occur, be careful to use less electricity.

6. Insufficient insulation

Maintaining a suitable indoor temperature requires more energy if your house is poorly insulated. Because air conditioners and heaters consume so much energy, even a small increase in usage might affect your cost.

How to get it lower:

Hire a specialist to evaluate the insulation in your house and look for any air leaks. Among the things they will search for are:

• 
  Worn out weatherstripping or caulking on doors and windows
  
• 
  Airflow in attic or basement
  
• 
  Exterior damage that could let air into the home
  

Try to fix leaks as soon as possible. Additionally, use energy-efficient windows or doors if you need to replace them.

7. Incandescent light bulbs

Perhaps some of the fault lies with light bulbs. LED lights consume a lot less electricity. According to some calculations, switching to LED bulbs may save the average home $225 annually.

How to get it lower:

Make the switch to LED light bulbs from incandescent ones.

8. Air conditioning maintenance

Damaged units add even more to energy costs. Clogged or blocked filters make the unit work harder.

How to get it lower:

You can keep your air conditioner in excellent condition by:

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  Cleaning the area around the coils
  
• 
  Unclogging condensation drains
  
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  Prepping your unit for winter by covering it
  
• 
  Scheduling regular AC filter changes throughout the year
  

9. Old appliances

Using an outdated equipment can result in higher electricity costs. Air conditioners and other household appliances typically last 10 to 15 years.

How to get it lower:

Once your appliance starts to age out, look into a new model. Keep two ratings in mind:

• 
  Energy Efficiency Ratio: This figure indicates the ratio of a unit s cooling capacity to its energy usage. Higher numbers correspond to better energy efficiency.
  
• 
  Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio: This represents the ratio of cooling output to energy consumed in the summer. This figure helps with AC choices.
  

10. Using dishwasher, washing machine frequently

Washing machines and dishwashers take up a lot of power, and they increase your water heater usage.

How to get it lower:

Try these tips:

• 
  Only run your dishwasher and washing machine when they re full.
  
• 
  Don t run these appliances daily.
  
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  Hand wash clothes or dishes whenever possible.
  

11. Running your dryer too often

Constant dryer use can cause your electric bill to soar. Compared to other appliances, dryers tend to use the most power. It can cost you 30 to 90 cents per hour. You can calculate your dryer s cost in three steps:

How to get it lower:

While you can t always avoid using your dryer, consider hang-dry your laundry on an outdoor clothesline or using an indoor drying rack.

12. Hot water temperature

By default, many water heaters are set to 140 degrees, but most of us can lower this to 120 degrees to save.

13. Ceiling fans

Make sure your ceiling fan blades aren t turning in the wrong direction. With some models, this can actually make a room warmer, costing you more to cool it.

How to lower it: Many new ceiling fan models have a toggle switch to adjust the blade direction. Counterclockwise turning helps with cooling, while clockwise rotation will warm up a room.

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