Times are hard nowadays, and everyone is doing what they can to save on that extra penny. One thing that people worry about a lot is utility bills. If you own your home, then you will likely be familiar with this problem. Having a rough estimate of your utility bills is an important part of budgeting, but it can pose a problem when the bills start becoming unusually high.
A sudden increase in bills could be a sign that there are underlying issues in your home. Reduce your expenses by taking note of these major household issues that cause high bills.
Faulty Appliances
Over time, appliances can deteriorate and lose efficiency. When this happens, it either does not perform to its peak condition or uses up more energy to maintain the same quality of output. This is why some people gradually increase utility bills without making any major changes in their household.
You can avoid this by regularly maintaining your home appliances, especially the ones that are regularly used. These can include dryers, washing machines, and refrigerators. Keep a close eye on electrical appliances that are continuously plugged in because they are always in use. Every few years, make sure to get in touch with air-conditioning services and similar repairers to check on your appliances to ensure they are in top performance.
If you have decades old, it may be a better idea to replace it altogether. Newer appliances today are marketed as being more energy-saving and eco-friendly.
Leaky Pipes
Holes and leaks in your systems can drastically increase your bills, depending on how bad it is. Every second and every minute, drops of water are being wasted unknowingly. If you have one drip per second, this can add up to a total of 17 gallons of water in a single day.
Leaks, when left unattended, can worsen in time. Experts say that fixing up leaks can reduce energy costs by 15 to 30 percent. These numbers would also be higher in the summer because people tend to use their water more during that season. If you have multiple people in your household, it will also add up to a significant amount of change.
For this reason, it is good practice to be aware of your monthly water reading. This gives you a rough idea of the average amount of water you spend every month. When discrepancies in the billing or reading arrive, you can easily identify a miscalculation, an increase in prices, or an excess in water consumption.
Excessive Charging
In an age of technology, there is an increase in the number of items that need to be charged and plugged in. For households with multiple gadgets and consoles, this can become quite costly.
A common practice among people today is leaving their phones or tablets plugged in whenever they can. Most people hate the idea of being low on battery at the worst times. However, plugged chargers and extension cords can still take up electricity, despite the gadget being at full charge. Energy Saving Trust says plugged chargers consume energy even if a gadget is not attached to it.
While the energy used appears to be low, it can still add up over time. This is especially true if you have a lot of chargers and people at home. We suggest that once the gadget has a full battery, unplug both the charger and device and switch off the extension cord. If you don’t think you don’t particularly need the device for something urgent, charge it later.
Poor Insulation
Does your heating system feel like it’s not reaching its full potential? Are your fans not cooling their designated area properly? This could be a sign that your home has poor insulation.
In itself, insulation can easily be remedied by appliances, but some structures make it difficult for appliances to do their job. For instance, frequently opening your refrigerator door can let out cold air, preventing it from doing its job. Drafts in windows can also force fans and ACs to work overtime to keep the room cool.
This can be fixed with a few minor renovations to your home. Getting better windows can help trap heat better. Insulating flooring and wall materials can also help keep a room cooler or warmer, which can then translate to reduced use of your thermostat. It’s best to have your home assessed by an expert to get their opinions on how it can be improved.