3 Potential Reasons Your Energy Bill is So High

3 Potential Reasons Your Energy Bill is So High

With energy prices on the rise, many people are wondering why their energy bills are so high. This can be shocking, not to mention confusing, as you feel like you didn’t use that much energy, surely— or did you? 

If your energy usage hasn’t changed but your bill has, you may feel desperate for solutions. Paying a high energy bill isn’t fun, but the good news is that there are ways to lower it. It’s all about identifying where your energy “vampires” are, and how to address them.

Here are some potential factors that could be driving up your energy costs and contributing to why your energy bill is so high.

Old Appliances – A Reason Your Energy Bill is So High

Many people think they need to turn off appliances or lights. However, the issue may not be usage, but how much energy your appliances are draining.

Older refrigerators or freezers that need to be repaired, washing machines that haven’t been replaced in years, or old water heaters that lack energy efficient technology can be a major drain on your energy source. 

Upgrade to new appliances that are Energy Star certified, as outdated appliances are one of the reasons your energy bill is so high. Yet, buying new appliances isn’t enough. You also need to perform regular maintenance, from cleaning coils to checking for sediment. The more you stay up to date with your maintenance schedule, the better you’ll get out of your appliances, ultimately helping to lower your energy costs.

Poor Insulation

If you live in an old, charming home, you may lose heating or cooling through drafty windows and doors When your home is not properly insulated it means that your HVAC system has to work even harder to keep things at your desired temperature. 

You want to check for drafts around windows and doors, and seal any gaps with weather stripping or with caulk. If you have an attic, add insulation to keep heat in during winter and out in summer.

High Electronics Usage

If you’re someone who uses electronics regularly, then this could be an obvious drain on your electricity. And while you may not be able to avoid using your everyday electronics like your television or your computer, you can turn them off entirely when not in use. 

Rather than leaving things on sleep mode or plugged in, consider unplugging them entirely. Even when you plug them in, they still drain a small amount of energy.

While it may seem like a small issue, the truth is that these tiny amounts of energy usage can add up significantly over the course of the year, which is one of the reasons your energy bill is so high. To help combat this, consider investing in small power strips with timers that cut off power, especially if you find it hard to remember to turn off devices yourself.

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