5 easy changes to lower your electric bill in 2020

By Keith Buchhalter, OPD5 Public Affairs

Finally, 2020 is here. The time has come to accomplish all those goals that we have set for the new year.

If one of your goals is to save money in 2020, I want to share with you five simple changes in your daily routine that will help minimize the consumption of electricity in your home: less consumption equals lower bills. Ready? Here we go, five simple changes to save on your next power bill:

1. Change your filter. A home’s electrical furnace system needs regular maintenance to run efficiently. If you never change your furnace filters, you’re not only putting you and your family at risk with dangerous allergens. You are also potentially ruining your heating and cooling system. Change filters at least once at the beginning of fall and again in spring for optimal performance. A dirt-clogged filter won’t run as efficiently, making your system work harder and use more energy.
2. Unplug it if you’re not using it. When was the last time you used that DVD player in your spare bedroom? Or the extra TV you have in the basement? Americans waste at least $50 a year on electrical devices that are plugged in and not being used. Even if you aren’t currently using something, it still wastes energy by using standby power. To save money on your electric bill, remember: If you haven’t used it in at least a month, unplug it!
3. Throw in the towel. This tip is a new one for me, and I am glad I found it, I tried it, and it works. That’s right, when you dry your next load of laundry, throw in a dry towel with it. A dry towel will help soak up the excess water that many washing machines leave in your clothes and will markedly reduce your drying times. The less the dryer is running, the more you save.
4. Wash full loads of laundry. Always run full loads of laundry, regardless of what type of washer or dryer you have. You could save up to $30 a year just by doing one less load of laundry a week.
5. Turn off the lights. This tip is an obvious one, but so many of us are guilty of not doing it. Whenever you leave a room, always turn off the light. It’s one of the easiest ways to save money on your electric bill.

The hardest part of setting New Year’s goals is not setting them but sticking to them throughout the year. We are here to help and happy to help you stay on track during the year.

We post several energy-saving tips on social media every month. Do you want to learn more? It’s simple, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @opd5. From all of us at OPD5, we would like to wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year, may all the goals you set for 2020 become a reality.