Electricity is by far among the most bothersome utilities when it comes to monthly recurring bills. This is especially since in most cases, the cost of energy is affected by factors such as oil prices, inflation, and the overall performance of the economy. As a result, many people fill a huge pinch anytime they pay this overly necessary bill. The alarming fact is that the amount you pay on electricity bills at the end of each month will depend largely on how you use it. If your energy bills have been spiking lately, there are a few things you can do to save a few tens or hundreds of dollars from the coming few months.

Without further ado, here are a few simple tips you can use to lower your electricity bills.

Reevaluate Your Energy Provider 

Depending on where you come from, there’s a big chance you have a few options when picking an energy provider. The thing is, different electricity suppliers have different plans, tariffs, and rates for different types of customers. If you feel you are paying too much for electricity at the end of the month, you could be on the wrong plan or traffic.

On this note, switching to an affordable plan or provider could be the solution you need. As shown at electricitymonster.com.au, comparing plans and prices from different energy companies can help you identify and switch to the most affordable electricity provider for your needs. Whether you need a new connection or you just want to switch electricity providers for your home or business, all you need is a dependable comparison partner. Such an online comparison tool can save you from weeks if not months of lengthy research, frustrating calls, and endless reading.

Invest In a Programmable Thermostat 

Whenever we come across the word thermostat, most of us automatically think of heating and cooling. Will, this is for a good reason because a lot of the money spent on electricity goes to heating and cooling. Also known as a smart thermostat, a programmable thermostat can help your home beat the heat while reducing the cost of heating or cooling your home. It is designed to automatically adjust the heat settings up or down at certain times of the day or night when your HVAC system is most or least likely needed. When you’re asleep or away from home, for instance, the device can be preset to turn the heat settings back by at least 10 or 15 degrees. On average, installing a programmable thermostat can help lower your HVAC electricity costs by up to 30 percent.

Make Shower Time Energy-Efficient 

As much as your bathroom time is supposed to be a relaxing experience, most of us are often tempted to spend so much time there. Unfortunately, doing so will only add to your monthly water and electricity bills. If you are fond of taking hot or warm showers, reducing the time you spend in the shower by two or three minutes can slash your electricity bills tremendously. Also, it pays to make sure to invest in an efficient showerhead. Apart from helping to lower your energy bills, an efficiency-rated showerhead will also earn savings for you by reducing your water usage in the bathroom.

Rethink Your Power and Lighting Options 

A huge chunk of our electricity bills also come from lighting and electronics. As you may already know, switching to energy-efficient light bulbs is one of the best ways to save on electricity. Some ideal options for efficient lighting include LED bulbs and compact fluorescent lights. You can also consider installing dimmer switches. While saving electricity, dimmers allow you to adjust brightness in a room based on your current needs and desired mood. Using smart power strips can also help ensure no current is flowing into your devices or appliances when powered off. Finally, you can consider conducting a power audit in your home or business to identify additional areas that are perhaps costing you more than necessary on electricity.

Only Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances 

Last but not the least, we all need a range of appliances in our homes to make life convenient and more comfortable. These range from electric cookers to fridges, dishwashers, water heaters, dehumidifiers, and ventilation systems. Whenever purchasing a new appliance, always pick an energy-efficient model. If an energy audit reveals that your current model is consuming too much power, upgrading to an energy-efficient version could be the best way to go.

Also, don’t forget to be keen on the settings input during the use of these appliances. With the refrigerator, for instance, you can set the fridge at 38 degrees and 0-5 degrees for the freezer. Doing so can help save a significant amount of the electricity used in refrigeration.

Saving on electricity bills is a choice. However, it becomes a huge requirement the moment you get tired of high energy bills each month. Thankfully, the above few tips can help save you from the frustrations brought about by expensive energy costs.