As a Gwinnett County renter or homeowner, paying utilities is unavoidable, so keeping your utility bills as low as possible is the goal. Depending on the size of your household and the volume of occupants, each home’s utility cost is different. The big three are Gas, Electric, and Water. Some rentals have water included in the rent but regardless of your living status, paying electricity (and/or gas) for your home is inevitable. If you don’t have a gas fireplace, stove, or heating, electric is the one big bill! However, believe it or not, there are ways to save money on your electricity bill! You don’t have to cut corners or make any drastic adjustments to see changes on your bill! With these 5 Tips, you will save money on your electricity bill in no time!
Changing your HVAC Filters
Regularly replacing and servicing your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system is the first step how to save money on your electricity bill. Changing the filter is easy, cheap, and keeps the air you breathe clean and fresh. Having dusty and clogged filters and vents can cause improper ventilation, which makes your system work harder and use more energy, which in turn raises your electricity bill. Every season change, or 3-4 months, is the ideal time to check up on your HVAC system. Keeping it on a schedule makes it easier to keep track of, and ensures it gets done. Check out this 1-minute video on how to change your HVAC Filter in your Gwinnett home.
Check Seals Around Doors and Windows
With the fall breezes blowing and the cold air slowly moving in, it is crucial to ensure your windows and 
doors are sealed tight. Any slight draft coming through can cause your air conditioning unit to work harder than it needs to, causing your electricity bill to rise. You may not think a small draft can raise your bill, but if there is air coming through, it is essentially acting as another air vent, throwing your indoor cooling/heating off. In turn, your air conditioning system starts working harder to try and regulate the temperature. There are many easy ways to determine if, and where you have any air leaks in your home. If the seal on the bottom of any exterior doors is worn, think about investing in a draft stopper. You can also think of it this way; where there is air coming in, there are also bugs coming in! Why not kill two birds with one stone, keep bugs out and save money on your electricity bill!
Consistency Around the Home
Staying consistent with your energy usage can save you money on your electricity bill, believe it or not! As cliché as this sounds, turning off lights when you leave a room or unplugging your unused electronics is an easy way to cut corners on your electricity bills. Keeping a sense of consistency makes sure there are no surprises on your utility bills. When it comes to your water bill, consistency can work in your favor as well. Washing your clothes with cold or warm water uses way less energy than it does with hot water.
Invest in Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
You would be surprised how much energy some things around your home uses. Lightbulbs, for example, can add up on your electricity bill. By only turning on lamps and lights when you need them, you can see minor improvements to your electricity bill. Another great way to save money on your electricity bill is to switch to energy-efficient lightbulbs. LED bulbs use a fraction of the energy, that regular fluorescent lights do. Although the bulb price is slightly higher, it pays for itself once you see the savings on your bill!
Check out this infographic that breaks down the prices of different types of bulbs!
If you live in a home with an abundance of natural light, try using that natural light to light your home, to use less electricity. Swap out your black-out curtains for sheer ones and watch your home light up! Look into solar lamps if you have large windows or an open deck; they are virtually free and can add some unique decoration to your home!
These tips are all simple and can be utilized to help you save money on your electricity bill. Turning off lights, switching to energy-efficient bulbs, and washing clothes with cold water, are all great ways to help you lower your electricity bill. As mentioned before, paying utilities is inevitable, so save money where you can!
If you are looking to purchase a rental property in the Gwinnett area and need some professional management assistance, contact us today and we will be glad to guide you through the process!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
