In this article, we’ll break down some of the common reasons why your electric bill is so high and how to save money while reducing your energy usage.
By Jordan Watts
We’ve all been there. You opened your power bill from last month just to do a double take when you see exactly how much energy you used and what it cost. If you’re not paying attention, electricity bills can rapidly become one of your most expensive costs each month. Between weather fluctuations and a house full of electronic devices, energy usage can surge in the blink of an eye.
But don’t pull the plug on anything just yet! There are plenty of ways to reduce your electric bill without keeping you in the dark. In this article, we’ll break down some of the common reasons why your electric bill is so high and how to save money while reducing your energy usage. If you’re looking to save ahead of summer, let’s dive in!
Many folks have seen a surge in high electric bills recently due to many factors. Summer in the United States has brought hot seasonal trends, higher rates for the “Price to Compare” are pushing the baseline higher, and most are using their electronic devices more than ever before. To help diagnose the specific cause(s) of your high bill we’ve broken down the main offenders below.
Depending on where you live, you likely see some significant weather fluctuations throughout the year. It seems obvious that your air conditioning will need to work harder to cool your house on hot days, and your heater must step up in the winter. The further the weather is outside from your ideal indoor temperature, the more energy will be consumed crossing the gap.
Pro Tip: If your home is powered exclusively by electricity, you’ll see even higher electricity bills. Otherwise, you might wonder: Why is my natural gas bill so high?
Remember, you can’t just compare your electricity bill to the previous month. Compare your bill to the same time a year ago. You might find that you don’t have an abnormally high electric bill, just an unfortunate seasonal trend.
Some deregulated areas, including Pennsylvania and Ohio, have a default rate or Price to Compare (PTC) for consumers who choose not to shop. If you’re on one of these rate plans set by the local utilities, you’ll likely see electricity prices change from time to time as these rates are adjusted periodically. In fact, many homeowners saw an increase in energy costs at the beginning of June due to newly approved rates from state Public Utilities Commissions (PUC).
While these rates are the benchmark for a good deal, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee that they’re the best way to save money. You can ensure that you’re getting the most bang for your buck when it comes to electricity plans by regularly shopping around for cheaper rates. By taking advantage of EnergyBot’s Comparison Tool, you can find the best rate plan for your specific energy usage and kiss that high energy bill goodbye.
Energy waste, through seemingly minor inefficiencies, can quickly wrack up in high energy bills for your home. While these factors may seem easy to ignore, oftentimes your electric bill is not.
Simple home maintenance tasks and updates can rapidly add up to higher energy usage and bigger bills. But, if you’re willing to invest in periodic maintenance, they can also help you save energy and increase your home value.
By regularly auditing your home for efficient energy consumption, you can help prevent your electric bill from getting so high and save money in the long run.
It’s not uncommon for major appliances to become a big contributor to your electric bill, especially if they’re on the older side. While there might not be anything wrong with your old washer and dryer from the 90s, these older appliances require more energy than their newer counterparts.
With that in mind, we would not recommend running out to buy a brand-new refrigerator right away. But when it’s time for a new appliance, make sure that you’re looking at models with a good EnergyStar rating to help you save a little more electricity.
Your electricity bill is made up of many factors including current electricity prices, your energy usage, and how much energy waste you produce. While reducing your energy bill likely won’t happen overnight, you can begin to implement practices today to see savings by your next billing cycle.
Small changes in your daily life can result in big savings on your electricity bill. Consider implementing some of the following tips around your house to save energy (and money):
Once you’ve established why your electric bill is so high, minimizing energy waste and changing habits can go a long way in reducing it. If you live in a state with a deregulated energy market you can take it one step further by exploring options with EnergyBot that may give you even greater control over your monthly power bill. Get started in less than 10 minutes today!
