Did you know that the average American household creates 17,320 pounds of carbon dioxide each year?
If you want to reduce your carbon dioxide output, you should focus on lowering your electric bill.
Whether you want to reduce your electric bill or learn how to create a monthly budget, it's important to know what to expect when it comes to your electric bill.
Are you wondering how much you can expect to spend on your electric bill per month?
If so, keep reading to learn more about planning for energy consumption.
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Factors Influencing Your Electric Bill
While the average American spends $1,945 on their energy bill each year, many factors influence how much money you will spend.
One of the biggest factors is the amount of energy you use.
While some people have a large house, a large family, and lots of electronics, other people live by themselves in small one-bedroom apartments.
The households with fewer people and smaller living spaces will spend less money on their electric bills.
The type of appliances, age of your home, and habits will also influence your bill.
Another big factor when it comes to calculating your electric bill is where you live.
People who live in states such as Illinois, Utah, and Montana spend less on their electric bills than people in states such as California, Alaska, and Hawaii.
How to Calculate Your Electric Bill
To determine how much your electric bill is going to cost each month, you will need to multiply your energy use by the cost of energy in your local area.
Most of the time, electric companies charge based on the number of kilowatts you use each month.
If you track your energy usage, you will know exactly how much you will need to spend on your electric bill.
How to Reduce Your Electric Bill
If your monthly electric bill is expensive, there are some steps you can take to reduce the cost.
One of the easiest things you can do is reevaluate your habits.
Make sure you are turning the lights off when you leave for the day, close your shades during the hot summer days, and turn the television off when you aren't watching it.
If you have the budget, there are some upgrades you can make to reduce energy usage.
You can install a smart thermostat, upgrade your appliances, and install new windows.
Another great way to reduce your electric bill is to switch to renewable energy.
One of the most common types of renewable energy for households is solar energy.
With solar energy, you install solar panels on your roof. The solar panels convert energy from the sun into energy you can use.
If you want to install solar panels, local solar installers can help.
Use Your Home's A/C System Sparingly
Do you sleep with the A/C running? Do you leave the AC turned on when you leave the house?
A/C systems are surprisingly energy intensive. Using them sparingly can save a lot!
You don’t even need to turn off the AC completely either. You could just turn it down slightly to enjoy savings on your electricity bills.
Put Up Solid Window Coverings
We all think window coverings are just about decorating our homes. However, they also keep your home cool when the sun is shining brightly.
You need to decide between thick drapes or quality blinds.
Blinds can reduce the heat in your home by up to 45 percent. While drapes reduce the heat gain in your home by roughly one-third.
Either way, ensure you cover up your windows when the sun is out.
Keep Your A/C System Updated
Electricity companies allow you to get the best rates with their plans. It’s another great way to save money while you are in the process of updating your AC system.
Start by dusting and cleaning the A/C vents and units. The filters and coils could be blocked with dust.
Heating and cooling systems need to be updated from time to time to run the most effectively. You might be spending more than you need to on electricity.
Open Windows Strategically
You may not need AC at all. If there is a cool breeze during the evenings, you can take advantage of this in order to cool down your home.
Simply open a window and strip down to your shorts and t-shirt to stay cool during the warmer weather.
Use a Good Ceiling Fan
Of course, your ceiling fan also uses up electricity. However, it doesn’t consume nearly as much energy compared with your AC.
Therefore, when you combine your ceiling fan with your A/C, you cool down your home more effectively for less.
This means that even with moderately warm temps outside, it's possible you won't actually need to run your A/C at all if you have your ceiling fan going to help cool your body.
Now You Know the Average Electric Bill per Month
Whether you are moving into your first house, making a monthly budget, or trying to lower your bill, it's important to know what to expect from your electric bill per month.
Did you enjoy reading this article on calculating your average electric bill?
If so, check out the homemaking category to learn more about setting financial goals.