You’re expecting an important letter that’s supposed to arrive in your mailbox, and out of the blue, an unusually high electric bill is found in the envelope when you open it. Why has my electricity usage doubled?
What’s going on? What has changed since last month? You ponder. What may be causing such a sharp rise? If your power bill is exceptionally high, here are eleven reasons why and what you can do to avoid an unusually high electric bill next month.
Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash
What to do if your electric bill is excessively high ?
The quantity of gas or electricity you’ve used should be reflected in your energy statement. For example, your utility cost will likely rise as summer days get warmer, and you have the power to choose turning on the ac more often.
If you get an unusually high electric bill, and you don’t know why- it’s worth investigating. Changes to the ‘energy rates if you have a variable rate contract may have prompted an increase in pricing.
If you’re on a variable rate plan where the rate you pay fluctuates, they can only charge you up to this amount. So what to do? At www.Powerchoicenow.com we help you choose a fixed rate to control what you can’t control and check out these causes to see what may be causing you an unusually high electric bill.
Identifying the Root Causes of an Unusually High Electric Bill
1. Lighting and ceiling fans that aren't appropriately placed.
Lighting is essential in any home, whether it’s in the shape of ceiling lights or lamps. Did you know that you may reduce your household’s power bill by planning out how you light your home?
Although they may brighten a space, ceiling lights are neither effective nor strategic. They’re a complete waste of resources. Instead of using candles, consider using strategic lights directed to the places you need.
Besides following these tips, know that, to avoid an unexpectedly high energy bill, you should apply the power to choose to, instead of illuminating the ceiling, choose lights that cast light directly down.
Remember to switch off lights and fans when you leave a room, as well as any other electrical devices. If you follow these steps, you will see a significant reduction in your monthly power cost.
2. Vampire appliances.
If you don’t want to pay for something you don’t use, don’t continue paying for the power you don’t use. Even if they are not used, devices that are always plugged in draw energy from the grid.
It’s a massive waste of money and energy to leave your computer charger plugged in all the time. Make sure to unplug any gadgets that aren’t in use to avoid an unusually high energy bill. Your power to choose also depends on your habits.
3. The use of inefficient light bulbs.
LED light bulbs may cost a little more upfront, but in the long term, they are essential for saving money on power and avoiding an unusually high electric bill.
Up to 90% less energy is used by LED bulbs than ordinary light bulbs, and they last virtually indefinitely. Your money and your health will reward you for making the transition. Another power to choose you can exercise to down your electric bill.
4. Your home is not adequately insulated, which is the fourth reason.
If your home isn’t adequately insulated, you’ll be squandering money whether you’re putting up the heat in the winter or cranking up the air conditioning in mid-July, with the rising temperatures.
Your unusually high electric bill is the result of old windows and attic areas that are letting in cold/warm air when they’re not supposed to.
New windows and adequate insulation in attics and basements should be prioritized. Making a little investment now can save you a lot of money in the long run.
5. Outdated and inefficient appliances.
You’re wasting money and energy by keeping an outdated television set in the basement that no one watches. Keeping out-of-date devices and appliances that will never be used is a waste of space- and a waste of energy.
Consider giving or recycling your old devices instead than hoarding them. Instead of wasting energy and racking up a higher power bill, give it away to someone that can give a better use of it, while you avoid an unusually high electric bill.
6. Severe weather.
48 hours is a long time for temperature swings. Temperature changes are out of our hands, but we can control how we react. If a heat wave hits in the middle of March, don’t adjust the thermostat to account for it.
You should instead aim to maintain a steady temperature in your home and disregard those minor temperature fluctuations that occur from time to time.
However, if the changes are steady, let’s say you’re facing a warmer July than usual, make the according changes on the thermostat to avoid an unusually high electric bill. It is your power to choose.
7. Appliance or system malfunctions.
These two innovations are among the best ever made. Despite their many advantages, these gadgets may be to blame for your unusually high electric bill.
If you don’t know what’s going on with them, and if you don’t perform adequate maintenance, these gadgets will suck the life out of your wallet.
8. Not running full loads
Do not run the dishwasher more than once; instead, wait until it is totally full before running it again. The same is true for the washing machine and drying machine.
Do not start a new load of washing until the hamper is completely emptied. This can help you avoid an unusually high electric bill next month.
9. Too much time spent charging gadgets that don't need to be.
You can’t live without a charged phone or computer. However, leaving your phone or computer plugged in all day or night is not necessary. The typical smartphone just requires a few hours of charging time, not the full 12 hours recommended by the manufacturer.
Keep your phone or computer plugged in all night and you’ll end up with an unusually high electric bill. Avoid leaving your equipment plugged in overnight by keeping an eye on the times they need to be charged.
10. A/C running even while windows are open.
It’s like throwing money out of a window if you turn on the AC when the windows are open! – quite literally. Open the windows and turn off the air conditioning, or the other way around. Another major drain on your electricity cost is the air conditioner.
Don’t squander your pricey chilly air. To save money on your next utility bill and not end up with an unusually high electric bill, keep the windows closed while the air conditioner is running.
11. Even when your device is off, it doesn't always imply it is.
Even though a device is “off,” it still consumes energy. The washing machine and television may be turned off, but they remain connected into the wall. Flipping a switch isn’t always enough to turn things off completely.
The longer you’re gone, the more you should consider disconnecting appliances and other equipment even after they’ve been turned off. If you don’t feel like turning them off, just attach them to a power strip, that way you have to just flip the switch to turn them off.
Do you know any other ways to avoid an unusually high electric bill? Feel free to share them with us on the comment section.
