It is not uncommon to get an unpleasant surprise at the end of the month when you rip open your electrical bill. Sometimes, the numbers can be huge and downright dumbfounding. It might have happened due to your carelessness or some new appliance that has been working overtime. If you are looking for a sensible way to increase the power efficiency of your home without doing any major overhauls, here are some basic tips on how to lower your electrical bill.

LED instead of incandescent

LED lights are promoted as a sensible alternative to ye-old incandescent bulbs. It is one of the most widespread bootstrap practices to save up on electricity bills. LED lights spend only 10% of electricity that incandescent lights tend to use up, so start with this replacement if you haven’t already!

Keep your fridge stocked

The old advice goes – keep the fridge doors closed and open it only when you know exactly what you need to take out or put in. Well, as it turns out, it seems that keeping your fridge stocked with food also saves money. If you fill up your freezer and fridge with food and beverages, they will serve as a form of insulation, so it decreases the amount of time needed for the fridge to achieve the required temperature and stay cool.

Dimmer switches

It seems like an unnecessary feature and something only people with money or gigolos install into their household, but the utility of dimmer switches is undeniable. Once you install a dimmer switch, you can slide it and modify the amount of light to accommodate your eyesight and use only the exact amount you need. In the long run, you’d be surprised at the sum total of money you can save by the end of the month by utilizing dimmer switches.

Line-dry all your laundry

This is a fairly easy way to save up electricity if you live in a house. You can set up a long clothesline in your backyard and leave the laundry to the power of the breeze. On the other hand, if you live in an apartment with a terrace, you can use your economical outdoor space to hang your clothes in small groups (and wash them accordingly). If none of these options is available, just hang them on your shower rod and close the door of the bathroom to avoid breathing in the chemicals. In the morning, open all the doors and windows in your apartment to air out the place.

A timely repair can save you a lot

When a crucial piece of electrical equipment is malfunctioning, time is of the essence. The sheer amount of power that might be wasted on this cluster of wires should not be scoffed at. If you find a qualified and professional 24 hour electrician, their services will end up costing only a fraction when compared to the overall electrical cost that can ramp up if you wait through the night.

Phantom loads are a silent killer

Did you know that a whopping 75% of the electrical energy in your household is devoured by home electronic devices, and most of the time they consume it when they appear to be turned off? This is why these regular household items have been dubbed phantom loads and they include – televisions, stereos, computers, players, as well as kitchen appliances.

The simplest solution for this is to unplug them all before you go to sleep or to keep them plugged out unless you need to use them. It might seem drastic, but it does save electricity. On the other hand, you can plug them all into power strips and just flip the switch according to your needs.

When it comes to saving up on electricity, the key thing is to keep checking every corner of your household on a regular basis. Make sure appliances are working properly. The fridge can be an especially voracious power eater, so keep on inspecting whether it is in peak condition. These simple tricks will help you stay on top of your monthly financial obligations and keep your sanity. If push comes to shove, you can always call your electrical company and check if there has been some mistake.