Have you ever thought about the things that are secretly increasing your electricity bill each month? Beyond the usual suspects like air conditioning and heating, there are plenty of other things around your home that are using more power than you might realize. Let’s look at 25 of these everyday items and some alternatives you might want to use.
Office Giants
Even when they’re idling, desktop computers can use up quite a bit of electricity. If you’re not using it, shut it down, or at least put it on energy-saving mode. This small change can save you quite a bit on your electric bill each month, especially if you’re leaving it on overnight or during the day. You can also try enabling automatic sleep so it’ll power down when you’re not using it.
Electric Toothbrushes
If you’re constantly charging your electric toothbrush or shaver, then be prepared to see this in your electricity bill. You should only plug these gadgets in when they need to be charged rather than leaving them docked 24/7. Unplug the charger when you’re not using it, and watch those savings pile up.
Daily Drips
For most of us, having a morning brew is non-negotiable, but leaving a coffee machine plugged in all the time can get costly. Try switching it off after your morning cup, or invest in a more energy-efficient model to keep the coffee flowing without the high costs. You could even get a programmable one that’ll brew just before you wake up and turn off right after.
High Heat and High Power
No matter what kind of device you’re using on your hair, chances are that it’s using a lot of power, especially at high temperatures. You should try using your hair dryer or curling iron less often and go for air drying whenever you can. Better yet, buy a new model that’ll use less energy than your old one.
Smart Cycle
Running a half-empty dishwasher wastes electricity and water, so make sure to fill it up before starting a cycle. Most models also have an energy-saving setting, which can lower your electricity bill, although it might take a little longer. This way, you’re getting the most out of every wash without wasting resources.
Electric Blankets
It might be perfect for those cold nights, but using an electric blanket every time it gets cool can add up. You should put it on a timer so it’s only in use when absolutely necessary, or try layering up with more blankets so you’re not using it at all. It’ll save you some energy, and it’s also good for the environment.
Silently Draining Power
It doesn’t matter if you’re not using them because surround sound systems use quite a bit of power. Make sure to turn them off completely via the power strip to avoid using too much energy, or even get a smart strip that’ll automatically cut the power. You’ll be able to hear those savings all the way to the bank.
Always Listening
Smart speakers and smart hubs are designed to always be on, but that also means they’re always using power. If you’re not at home, there’s no point in leaving them on, so turn them off or at least put them into sleep mode. Smart plugs can also allow you to control how much power they’re using via your smartphone.
Trimming More Than Grass
Electric lawnmowers are certainly convenient. But those electricity bills? Not so great. Try mowing less often or switching to a manual mower to reduce your energy bill, which is also great for the environment. If you’re dead set on an electric model, look for one that has adjustable power settings.
Charge Wiseley
Keep an eye on how your cordless vacuums are using electricity, as they can end up cleaning out your bank account. Overcharging them can cause your electricity bill to spike, so you should only do it when the battery’s low. You should also clear the filter out often to make it more efficient and stop it from using too much energy.
Cool Savings
Space coolers are a great way to beat the summer heat, but they love using up your electricity, too. To keep a lid on your energy bill, focus on cooling just the area where you are instead of the whole house. After all, why are you trying to cool down the rooms that you’re not even in? It’s a waste of money and energy.
Air Purifier
Air purifiers keep your air fresh and allergen-free, which is especially important when there’s a lot of pollen floating around. But you don’t need to run them nonstop because this can increase your energy costs quite a bit. Try using these devices only when you absolutely need them, and don’t forget to turn them off once the air clears up.
Warm Towels, Not Bills
Nothing beats wrapping yourself in a warm towel after you’ve had a shower, but heated towel racks can heat up your electricity bills, too. A good compromise is to turn it on right before you take a shower and off right afterward. If your model has a timer, then there’s no reason not to use it.
Manage Those Minutes
They might be small, but things like electric can openers and blenders can use a lot of energy over time if you leave them plugged in. Only connect these devices when you need them, and pull the plug as soon as you’re done. Better yet, use a power strip and cut the power when you’re finished cooking.
Light the Night Right
If you leave your outdoor lights on all the time, they’ll start lighting up your energy bills, too. That doesn’t mean you should get rid of them, but you might want to consider switching to solar-powered ones or installing timers. You could also swap to LED bulbs, which are far more energy-efficient.
Luxurious Efficiency
Anyone who enjoys having that spa-like luxury at home should be careful because home saunas and steam rooms use quite a lot of energy. You should heat them only as long as you need them, then turn them off when you’re done. You could try pre-heating them for a shorter time or even use an insulation cover to keep the heat in.
Baby Monitors
There’s no reason for your baby monitors to be such a drain on your electricity. If you want to keep an eye on your little one, go for a model that has power-saving features or one that’ll go into sleep mode when it’s all quiet. And when you’re having family time, make sure you turn the monitor off.
Effective Energy Use
UV sterilizers are great for keeping your house germ-free, but you shouldn’t use them all day. They don’t make your house any cleaner, and, if anything, they’re just causing you more problems by using more energy. Turn them on only when you need to sterilize things and make sure to turn them right off afterward.
Grill Smarter, Not Harder
Electric grills aren’t exactly light on energy use, no matter how useful they might be. Save them for special occasions or when you absolutely can’t go outdoors to grill. When you’re using it, preheat your grill for the shortest time you need and then cook everything you need at once to use less power.
Quick Snacks Without the Waste
Like all kitchen appliances, waffle irons and sandwich makers can make cooking much easier, but they also use a lot of electricity. You should get all your ingredients together and prepare your food before you switch them on. This way, you can cook everything in one go to maximize how much power and heat you’re using.
Threat Lightly
If you’re not careful with how you’re using them, sewing machines can rack up quite a hefty electric bill. Plan your sewing projects in batches and set aside specific times to sew to use your time and energy more efficiently. After all, using power intermittently by starting and stopping can be pretty expensive.
Costly Aquarium
Aquariums need to maintain a constant temperature and filtration to keep your aquatic friends healthy. Even the lighting can be expensive since it’s responsible for about 45% of your aquarium’s energy bill. But that doesn’t mean you’ve got to keep all the gadgets running full tilt. Use timers to reduce your energy use without compromising on looking after your fish.
Power Down to Save Up
A home office that’s filled with printers and scanners can quickly become an energy pit. Like with most things on your list, you should turn off and unplug any equipment you’re not using. To make things easier, using a single power strip means you can turn everything off quickly when your workday ends.
Cooking Efficiently
Induction cooktops are meant to make things quicker and more efficient because they heat things faster and use less energy than traditional stoves. But still use a lot of power. To avoid these high costs, try cooking multiple dishes back-to-back to take advantage of the heat that’s already been generated.
Smart Security Lights
Motion detector lights are a great addition to any home because they’ll make you feel comfortable and secure without needing to leave the lights on all the time. Even so, you should adjust the sensitivity so they’re not always triggered by minor movements like animals or branches. This way, they’ll only light up for the important stuff.
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