Are You Wasting Energy in Your Home?

Did you know that, according to the Energy Information Administration, 126,143,072 U.S. residents currently consume energy, and just one American home consumes up to 8,548 kilowatt-hours of power in any given year? Americans are responsible for consuming, and often wasting, most of the world’s energy. What can households do to reduce their annual energy consumption and shave money off monthly energy bills?

Switch Electricity Providers

Changing electricity providers can have a dramatic impact on household energy consumption and lower monthly energy bills. Choosing suppliers starts with the simple question, can you switch electric companies? The following states de-regularize energy, meaning that residents have the freedom to pick and choose electricity providers: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and the District of Columbia.

If you live in one of the states mentioned, the next step is comparing commercial energy prices. Keep in mind that some providers offer green energy. Find a green energy provider by visiting the U.S. Department of Energy or Environmental Protect Agency’s (EPA) websites. Both organizations provide simple, free tools for locating green energy providers.

Pick Up An Aerator

One of the easiest solutions is favoring energy efficient plumbing, and it can be done at a relatively low cost. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can purchase low-flow aerators for faucets and shower heads at just $10 or $20 per unit. The simple adjustment will reduce residential energy consumption by as much as 25% to 65%, and will likely result in a considerable savings on monthly energy bills.

Get Audited

An energy audit can be especially helpful to homeowners who are not sure where to begin. An electricity provider or local weatherization and energy offices can recommend services to audit your home, or assess it for problem areas. Professionals will pinpoint sources of wasted energy (some of the most likely culprits are poorly insulated windows, doors, and attics, leaky faucets, and improper siding), and offer suggestions for improvement.

Energy bills can be incredibly high. Reduce your household energy consumption, and save hundreds off annual energy bills, by changing electricity providers, using convenient and inexpensive faucet aerators, and getting an energy audit performed on your home.