5 Simple Money Hacks To Minimize Electrical Use You Probably Haven't Thought Of
Electricity is an essential part of modern life, and it's become more expensive thanks to the leading role technology plays. AI data centers and EVs are adding to our collective electricity usage and that strains the consumer's dollar.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take. We all know that turning the lights off and using LED bulbs helps a bit, but there are a lot of other smart and simple hacks to save money on electricity that we don't hear about as much.
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Don't Put Your Computer in Sleep Mode Overnight
This is a bit of a tricky one, but we'll explain it clearly. You should activate sleep or hibernate mode on your computer if you're going to be away from your desk for a short period of time. This saves you money on energy. But if you're going to be away from your computer for a long time (say, overnight) it's more energy efficient to turn it off. Your computer uses significantly more power to keep operations running for hours on end than it does to start back up after being turned off.
Deep Clean Major Appliances Regularly
Even if you're super hygienic and clean the house often, you're probably not cleaning major appliances often — at least not where it most counts for saving money on your utility bill. In addition to surface cleanings, you need to deep clean appliances to ensure they run efficiently and don't suck up extra power. Regularly deep clean the following appliances and/or their filters.
Refrigerator
Microwave
Dishwasher
Oven
HVAC system
Washer and dryer
Water heater (this one is complex. To be safe, hire a professional to drain and flush this appliance.)
To ensure your specific brand and model correctly, look up the user manual for your brand and model.
Use One-Switch Power Strips
Yeah, yeah, everyone knows turning devices off when we're not using them conserves energy, but if you really want to save, you need to go a step further by using one-switch power strips for all your electronics. Cutting off the power to multiple electronic devices with just one switch prevents them from draining power while on standby, cutting down electricity usage by up to 10%, according to Energy Sage.
Wash Clothes in Cold Water (They'll Still Get Clean)
Many of us were raised with the strict understanding that if you want to get clothes clean, you have to wash them in steaming-hot water. That may have been true decades ago, but laundry detergents have come a long way and are now powerful enough to manage a heavy-duty wash at lower temperatures. Switching to cold water will not only lower your heating or electrical bill, it will reduce your carbon footprint.
Use Electricity During Off-Peak Hours
Weekday afternoons and early evenings are when electricity usage peaks in the U.S., and with the rising demand comes a surge in the amount you pay for electricity. You'll save money by using electricity during low-demand hours of the day. To find out the cheapest times to use electricity in your area, check with your local energy provider and, while you're at it, ask them about other ways you can save money on electricity.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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