It’s time to pull the plug on the problem.
Opening your utility bill can sometimes feel akin to a game of roulette. Will it be higher or lower than last month? Will it make you wince—or breathe a sigh of relief?
While big swings in your bill might call for lifestyle changes, you can still move the needle by paying attention to the surprisingly power-hungry household items found throughout your home. Here, experts reveal which devices and appliances are sneakily driving up your energy bill—and how to keep them in check.
Thermostats
Heating and cooling is easily the biggest consumer of electricity in any home, and there’s plenty you can do to mitigate costs. You might be overlooking the thermostat itself, though.
“When thermostats aren’t placed in the optimal location within a home—or if they are poorly set—they can be a sneaky culprit,” says Chris Hunter, home expert for Service Titan. “A thermostat positioned near a heat source or drafty vent can lead to inaccurate temperature readings, causing your HVAC system to run longer than necessary.”
Likewise, he says that setting the temperature too low or too high during different seasons can increase energy costs. His solution is to use a smart, programmable thermostat that runs systems only when truly needed.
Old Refrigerators
Hanging onto a trusty old fridge versus swapping it out to save on electricity is a delicate financial balance. According to Nick Barber, co-founder at Utilities Now, if you have a fridge that is more than 15 years old, you may want to think of leaving it behind—a better option is to install an Energy Star-certified fridge.
“An old fridge can consume up to 1,000 units a year, which is about $150 depending on your electricity charges,” Barber says. “It also may not work properly because of insulation problems and old compressors.”
He says that these older units are often “second fridges” kept in the garage or basement. Crunch some numbers to determine whether it makes sense to discard or swap in a new piece.
Always “On” Devices and Chargers
Even when powered down, many household electronics still draw electricity. This hidden drain is often referred to as phantom energy, vampire energy, or standby energy.
“An easy sign of devices that consume even when turned off is if they have a remote control, an LED screen, or an adapter,” Barber says. “These devices consume even when they’re not in use, meaning they consume ‘invisible’ amounts of electricity.” Barber notes these have an estimated annual value of $150 to $200 for the average family.
Culprits include televisions, game consoles, telephone and computer chargers, cable boxes, and streaming devices. Even kitchen and bathroom appliances—like microwaves, coffee makers, hair dryers, and curling irons—can draw energy while not in use.
Adam Cain, energy expert at ElectricityRates.com, concurs. His advice is to use smart power strips you can easily turn off, or to manually switch off or unplug these devices when you’re not using them. “You’ll automatically cut power to these devices that are idle and you’ll instantly save energy,” he says.
Dirty Air Filters
We touched on thermostats above, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t remind you to check on your HVAC system’s air filters.
“One of the sneakiest offenders behind rising utility bills is a clogged or dirty HVAC air filter,” explains Dan Simpson, co-owner of Air Treatment Heating and Cooling. “When air filters become blocked with dust and debris, your system has to work harder to push air through, thus increasing energy consumption. In most homes, this can raise your energy costs by 10% to 20% without you realizing it.”
Thankfully, the fix is super simple. Just check your filters monthly and replace them every one to three months depending on your filter type, dust levels, and number of pets in the house.
Water Heater
Don’t worry, we’re not going to tell you to forego cozy warm showers. However, you may want to double check the temperature setting on your water heater to ensure it’s not too high, says Kate Colarulli, chief strategy officer at CleanChoice Energy. These modern marvels heat and store water in a tank, keeping it at a constant temperature.
So, the higher the setting, the harder it has to work and the more energy it consumes around the clock. “Lower your water heater’s temperature to 120°F,” Colarulli advises. “This helps conserve energy and reduces the risk of scalding.”
Wendy Rose Gould, REAL SIMPLE