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As the season changes, so do our needs in keeping our homes comfortable and cozy. But the rising costs of everything from food to natural resources mean you might experience a bit of a shock when you open your energy bills over the next few months. In that case, you might be looking at how you can save on your electric bill this winter.
According to the Associated Press, the price of natural gas in the U.S. doubled over the past year. A number of factors played into this price spike, including higher prices overseas spurred by shortages in supply and a higher demand for fuel due to the COVID-19 pandemic recovery.
“Consumers got used to very low prices last year because with the pandemic everything was shut down,” Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, told AP. “Now, everything’s coming back online, industry is returning and natural gas is being used again in very large quantities. And that’s pushing up the price.”
While consumers cannot directly control the price of electricity, oil or natural gas used to heat and power our homes, we can make changes in our daily lives to save money on energy costs.
So just how can you save on your electric bill? We’ve rounded up 11 simple ways to help you this winter. Most of the solutions are simple, require little technical know-how, and won’t require your family to suffer in the colder months.
1. Use a Programmable Thermostat
If you’ve been holding off on picking up a smart thermostat, then you might want to take the leap now. The U.S. Department of Energy says you can save 10% on your energy costs just by changing your temperature 7-10 degrees for eight hours per day. A programmable thermostat ensures that you don’t feel these temperature changes.
The ability to program your thermostat keeps your home at steady, energy-efficient temperatures throughout the day. You can program them for various temperature zones in your house and set timers to keep the heat low when you’re not home or asleep.
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2. Switch to Energy-Efficient LED Lightbulbs
LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. According to energy company Evergy, by swapping just five bulbs in your home, you can save up to $100 per year …….
Source: https://www.abc15.com/how-save-money-electric-bill-winter/