Each year, the three countries that use the most electric energy are the United States, China, and Japan. In fact, in America the amount of electricity that we use is doubled on average every 20 years. It is no big secret that Americans use a lot of energy, but that does not mean that your energy bill needs to be unnecessarily high. Although costs will vary depending on the state, the size of the house, and the season, an average utility bill for a three bedroom house is approximately between $100 and $200. If you feel that your bill runs on the high side, there are several things you can do.
How to save money on electricity.
On average, an American will use 39.2 KWH of electricity each day. If you are looking for information on how to reduce electric bills, the internet is full of helpful tips. Here are just a few.
- Get an energy audit, and find where heat or cooling is being lost. Seal up the leaks.
- Install better insulation in walls, choose better insulated windows, or siding.
- Have your HVAC cleaned to reduce strain on the system.
- Unplug appliances that are “energy vampires.”
- Turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Completely fill your dishwasher, washer, and dryer before running any of them.
If you have already tried most of these tips, or if you are unable to, contact your current provider to see if they offer an energy management program which will allow you to power down certain appliances when energy is in high demand. Failing the option for an energy program, you might try to compare electricity providers.
How to choose electricity providers.
Before you can compare providers, you will need to make sure that your state allows electric choice. If they don’t, then you may not have the option to choose your own provider. Here are several tips on how to choose electricity providers.
- First, know what you are spending so that you can make an accurate comparison.
- Look at a list of competitive suppliers already provided by the public utility commission in your state.
- Look for electricity facts labels for plans that you compare to get standardized information about contract terms, fees, rates, and more.
- If you call a company, how was their customer service? Consider their helpfulness and friendliness as a factor in your decision.
If you find a provider that looks to be a better deal, how do you switch?
How to switch electricity providers.
If you live in a state where you can switch, much of the time the new electricity provider will notify the utility company for you. Generally, there is no fee necessary to switch from one provider to another unless specifically stated in your existing contract. Switching to a new provider could be as simple as a phone call if your new provider does not handle the cancellation for you.
Try a few tips for reducing your electricity bill, but if you rent your home and are unable to make many of the changes that can really cut a bill down, then you might consider looking for or switching to another provider. Hopefully these tips will help you with how to choose electricity providers, bringing you closer to realizing a more affordable electricity bill. Continue.
