Have you been dreading the thought of receiving your high electricity bill in the mail? You probably have already made a budget for your household expenses, but at the same time, you are unable to figure out why you are spending so much on the electricity bill. If you estimate your household electricity consumption to be average, and your bill is higher than this total, then you might need to get your electrical system checked along with making some changes to save on electricity usage. So, let’s look at the reasons for your high electricity bill to get a better idea of how to conserve energy and save money.

Causes of High Electricity Consumption

Aside from leaving lights on when you leave a room and setting the temperature to where your air conditioning or heating is running nonstop, you may have other factors working against you when it comes to your electric bill. Here are a few plus tips for saving energy.

Vampire Appliances

You may get a high energy bill when you leave electronics or appliances plugged in whether you’re using them or not. Even when they are not in use, plugged-in devices continue to drain energy. For instance, it is a waste of money and energy to keep your computer charger plugged in all the time. Unplug any devices that aren’t in use. If you don’t, your electric bill will continue to increase at a high rate.

Light Bulbs that are not Energy Efficient

Your electricity bill can be on the high side because you are still using traditional incandescent bulbs in your light fixtures. LED bulbs are much more efficient because they consume 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. Switching to LED, CFL, or halogen bulbs can save you money on energy and bulbs in the long run.

Insufficient Insulation

One of the other main causes of excessive energy costs can be attributed to insufficient insulation. Most air leaks in homes occur in attics and through the doors, and windows. When you consider that over half of your monthly power expenses go toward heating and cooling your home, it is simple to understand how inadequate insulation might raise your electricity bill. The solution is to check the thickness of your insulation by choosing an outlet on a wall that’s next to a space that feels exceptionally cold. When you take off the outlet cover, you can see the insulation. Use your fingers to feel the thickness (or lack) of the insulation. If it feels thin, then it’s time to add more.

Seasonal Appliances

Your appliance usage might vary depending on the season. For example, in the winter, you may use space heaters more often, and naturally, during the summer, you’re running your air conditioner or a fan. If you have central air/heat, then you can set your temperature to a minimum comfort level year-round. This practice will save you a good amount of money on your electric bills for sure. 

Peak-Time Energy Use

Energy prices vary throughout the day based on demand. Peak hours are when electricity costs the most and when there is a higher electricity demand. If you use electricity during peak hours, you can expect to pay a higher bill. One idea is to cut back on usage during peak hours.

Improper Wire Joints

Wires that are not connected correctly can cause electric leakage—not to mention a potential hazard. For instance, the screw terminals in your outlets and switches can come loose. This means that power is being delivered to your home but not in an efficient manner. This means that you are using more electricity than you require. Calling a professional to inspect your wiring and identify any issues saves money later even with the upfront cost.

Salter Electric can get your home’s electric system back to operating efficiently. From a thorough inspection of your wiring to sound advice about how to save on your electricity bill, Salter’s electrical professionals in Ottawa apply their many years of experience to providing prompt and safe customer service.

Q&A

What causes the electricity bill to increase the most?

You can improve the way you utilize electricity by doing some things. These are the areas where you might want to focus your energy management efforts as they often account for the largest portion of your electric bill—electric heat, air conditioning, and water heater.

How to find which appliance is using too much electricity?

To find out which appliance is using too much electricity and racking up your electricity bill? You should get an electricity usage monitor that can tell you precisely how many kWh a particular appliance is using.

• Electricity Consumption