The average household in the U.S. uses about 867 kWh of electricity every month, which costs an average of $111.67 per month or $1,340 per year. Based on these numbers, it’s clear that there is plenty of room to improve when it comes to the amount of electricity used at home. 

Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to consume less electricity. Here’s how to reduce electricity usage at home:

• Plug into a power strip
• Install dimmer switches
• Switch to LED bulbs
• Cool down with ceiling fans

Plug Into A Power Strip

Appliances and electronic devices continue to suck energy out of electrical outlets even if they are turned off. This may not seem significant, but these “energy vampires” account for an estimated 20% of your monthly electricity bill.  

To fix this problem, plug your devices and appliances into a power strip. If you’re not using the devices, turn them off and flip the switch on the power strip. Power to choose will cut off the power supply to prevent these energy vampires from wasting more electricity.

Install Dimmer Switches

Dimmer switches allow you to control the amount of light emitted from the fixtures in your room, and thus the amount of electricity consumed as well. 

To reduce your electricity consumption, adjust the dimmer switch throughout the day. If sunlight is streaming through your windows, turn the dimmer switch to the lowest setting since you don’t need much additional light. Dial the dimmer switch back up at night, when more light is needed to illuminate the room. 

Using a dimmer switch in this way will ensure you only consume the electricity you actually need. As a result, you will definitely see a drop in your electricity usage on your next monthly utility bill. 

Switch to LED Bulbs

Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs use approximately 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional bulbs. If you switch to LED bulbs, you can drastically reduce the amount of electricity used in your home. 

You don’t have to switch every bulb in your house. If you want to start slow, focus on the light fixtures that are used the most. Switching to LED bulbs in these fixtures can help you quickly reduce your electricity usage.

Cool Down With Ceiling Fans

The Department of Energy estimates that heating and cooling accounts for about 50% of utility bills. If your air conditioner is overworked, give it a much-needed break by turning on your ceiling fans.

Using the ceiling fans may eliminate the need for the air conditioner in some climates. In warmer climates, you may need to keep the air conditioner on while the ceiling fans work. But, using the ceiling fans will allow you to raise the temperature on the thermostat by about 4 degrees Fahrenheit.

Letting your ceiling fans run can lead to significant reductions in your electricity usage. Your air conditioner won’t need to work as hard to cool you down, so it won’t need as much electricity to keep you comfortable. 

Enjoy the Benefits of Using Less Electricity At Home

You don’t need to make major changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce your electricity usage at home. Taking these simple steps can help you save money on monthly utility bills and drastically reduce your carbon footprint!