Wondering how to save on your electric bill? You’re not alone.  

As of 2019, the average U.S. residential electric consumer used 10,649 kilowatt-hours annually or 877 kilowatt-hours per month. The average price per kilowatt-hour in the country ranges from 7.71 cents to 28.72 cents, with a nationwide average of 10.54 cents. That totals to a $1,122.44 yearly electric bill a high cost for consumers and planet Earth. 

Energy efficiency and energy conservation can help you spend less and save on your electric bill. Join us as we review how to save by switching your electric company as well as simple ways you can become more energy-efficient, helping both the environment and your wallet.  

What Is Energy Efficiency? 

Energy efficiency means using less energy to complete a task or function while still seeing the same results. When you use energy-saving appliances you can reduce expenses, pollution, carbon output, and energy waste. Examples of energy efficiency include using LED light bulbs, smart power strips and Energy Star-certified products like refrigerators, washers, dryers, and heating and cooling equipment. 

What Is Energy Conservation?  

Energy conservation describes behaviors and habits that use less energy, such as turning off lights and unplugging devices when they aren’t in use, reducing overall energy consumption, and limiting energy waste. Energy efficiency and energy conservation work hand-in-hand and can help you save on your electricity bill 

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What Is Energy Star? 

Energy Star is a voluntary program conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program consists of more than 18,000 partners and has labels on over different 75 product types and major appliances.  

It has been estimated that Energy Star has reduced carbon pollution by 2.7 billion metric tons and saved $430 billion on energy bills during its over 30 years of operation.  

Incorporating more Energy Star appliances into your household can save you an estimated $4.50 for every $1 spent on electricity. You can find the Energy Star label on more than 75 types of products, including major appliances, lighting, and home electronics.  

Can Changing Utility Companies Help You Save on Utility Bills? 

Yes! There are many electricity providers to choose from in a deregulated market such as Texas. As a result of deregulation, these companies vie for consumers by offering different energy plans and competitive energy costs, although some have better offers than others.  

Can You Save Money on Your Electric Bill With Just Energy? 

Saving Money Group Happy with Just Energysource

Yes, you can save money on your electricity bill by switching over to Just Energy. Serving markets across North America for both residential and commercial customers, Just Energy allows you to choose the best rate and specific plan for your needs.  

 Not every plan is available in every market. However, in most you’ll find both secured-rate and variable-rate plans. Here are just some of the advantages for homeowners to choose Just Energy: 

  • Full transparency: Unlike some other energy providers, Just Energy is clear about pricing. You won’t have to worry about any surprise hidden fees. 
  • Fixed-rate plan: This is a great option for those who are strict about budgeting and want to know exactly how much their electricity bill will be each month. 
  • Variable-rate plan: In Texas, most electricity is generated from natural gas, so changes in the price of natural gas can make the rates on these plans go up or down. Folks often prefer the flexibility of variable-rate plans because they don’t have monthly contracts or cancelation fees. 
  • Flexible contract lengths: Most plans come with a contract set for a certain amount of time, such as 12 months or 36 months. Longer contracts typically come with better rates. If you’re sure you’ll be staying awhile, a longer contract may be beneficial. Likewise, if you think you may be moving in the near future, a shorter contract will save you cancelation fees or other penalties.  
  • Just400 Advantage Plan: This plan gets you $400 worth of free energy. Divided into two parts, you’ll get a $200 credit on your September electricity bill two years in a row. 
  • JustGreen Energy Plan: If you’re eager to help the environment by supporting renewable energy projects, think about adding a JustGreen option to your plan for just $9.99 per month. Just Energy uses renewable energy sources so you can enjoy your lifestyle while minimizing your environmental impact.  
  • Affinity Program: Available for commercial customers, this plan is aimed at generating revenue for your organization while providing special offers to your members and employees. It’s great for mid- to large-size companies that employ more than 50 people, as well as organizations such as schools and community centers. 

Along with all of these options that cater to your particular needs and lifestyle, Just Energy has service locations in many places across the U.S. and Canada. As such, if you move, you don’t necessarily have to change providers and that could save you money! 

Last but not least, Just Energy offers top-notch customer service. We take pride in our exemplary customer care team. Our specialists will help you determine the most optimal plan for your home or commercial building.  

Will Switching Light Bulbs Save Money?  

Around  of the average U.S. household energy bill goes to lighting, accounting for 62 billion kilowatt-hours produced annually nationwide.  of the average U.S. household energy bill goes to lighting, accounting for 62 billion kilowatt-hours produced annually nationwide.  

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, replacing non-energy efficient light bulbs, such as incandescent light bulbs, with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can save you up to $100 a year while reducing carbon emissions.  

LEDs use between 20-25% of the energy used by incandescent bulbs and 25-30% of the energy used by halogen incandescent bulbs, lasting up to 25 times longer than both. As a result, Energy Star LEDs use 75% less energy than traditional bulbs. Plus, other energy-efficient LEDs in general can use up to 90% less energy. 

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To give you an idea of what these differences look like, Energy.gov gives the example of lighting a six-foot-tall Christmas tree for 12 hours a day for 40 days with traditional, incandescent lights. That scenario would cost you $10 while using LED lights for the same purpose would only cost you 27 cents.  

LEDs also emit very little heat, which means less in-home climate control is necessary, saving on cooling costs. You can have the same amount of light at a lower price for a more extended amount of time. Making the switch means using less energy and saving more money. 

What Are Energy Vampires and How Do They Affect My Electricity Bill? 

Electricity Bill Affect of Energy Drain image of Kitchensource

Energy vampires are devices and appliances that constantly suck up energy when they’re not in use or after being turned off. This idle electricity, or standby power, is responsible for about a quarter of the average household electricity bill and 23% of power consumption. That’s nearly one-fourth of your electric bill that you don’t need to be paying.  

You can defeat these money monsters by turning off lights, shutting off or unplugging devices and appliances when you’re not using them, or putting unused devices into sleep or hibernation mode, which uses much less power. 

Here are some other ways on how to save on your electric bill: 

  • Go Unplugged: Unplug blow-dryers and other hair styling tools, lamps, fans, toasters, toaster ovens, electric tea kettles, and microwaves when not in use. Also, if a device lights up, blinks, or makes the occasional beeping sound, it is not entirely turned off. Be sure to unplug these devices to ensure no energy is being wasted.  
  • Use Power Strips: Plug in frequently used devices such as cell phone chargers, laptops, and desktop computers into shared power strips so you can easily shut them off at the same time.  
  • Put Your Computer to Sleep: Set your computer to sleep or hibernation mode to use less power when you’re not active or power it down or unplug it completely. Set your monitor to turn off rather than use the energy to display a screen saver.  
  • Tone Down Your TV: Save energy by adjusting your TV brightness down a notch and turning it off when you’re finished watching your favorite show. Also, stream on smart TV devices such as Roku or Apple TV instead of video game consoles that can use up to 30 times more energy to stream 

How Can Water Usage Affect My Electricity Bill? 

Water usage may not directly affect your electricity bill, but the heating, treating, and pumping of your water can.  

Hot Water Heaters 

Water heaters are the third-largest electricity consumers in the average home, contributing to 12% of total electricity use in the United States.  

You can lower your energy usage by making sure your water heater is only running when you need it (timers can help), insulating it, and lowering the temperature. 

Energy Star offers energy-efficient water heaters, including gas-powered water heaters and tankless water heaters that better insulate, trap heat, and save on energy use 

Showerheads, Faucets, and Washing Machines 

Leaky faucets, old toilets, and out-of-date washing machines can also suck up far too much energy than necessary. 

Faucets and showerheads produce two gallons of water every minute they are running, and washers are the second largest water users in homes.  

Switching to WaterSense-certified faucets and showerheads can save the average U.S. household 3,500 gallons of water and 410 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, with 20% less water use overall.  

Compared to clothes washers made before 1999, Energy Star washing machines use four times less energy, saving $370 over their lifetime. 

Surprisingly, using the dishwasher is more economical than hand-washing dishes. Most dishwashers use six gallons of water per cycle. In comparison, faucets produce two gallons of water every minute, leaving only three minutes of hand washing time before using the dishwasher becomes the better option.  

You can install energy-efficient, eco-conscious dishwashers that use less water when set to specified settings. Energy Star dishwashers cost about $35 annually to operate, saving 3,870 gallons of water on average throughout the dishwasher’s lifespan and cutting back on energy use 

Additionally, shortening your showers and washing full loads of laundry in cold water, and loading the dishwasher before running it will save on time, water, energy, and costs. 

Overall, switching to energy-efficient appliances can save the average U.S. household up to $500 a year on utility bills 

Can a Programmable Thermostat Help Save You Money?  

Programmable Thermostat Saving Money House Costssource

Space cooling, space heating, and water heating are the top three ways in which energy is used and consumed in the United States, constituting 43% of total American electricity use and totaling 604 billion kilowatt-hours a year.  

Because heating and cooling costs so much and uses so much energy, targeting these areas is an important part of your commitment to energy efficiency (and saving money). 

Use a programmable thermostat to help control your air conditioner, heating costs, and hot water heater – depending on how efficiently you use it, a programmable thermostat can save at least 10% a year on heating and cooling costs. 

How Can Air Conditioning Filters Help You Save Money on Your Electric Bill? 

Your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system is responsible for about 27% of your electricity bill. Keeping your air filters clean means your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard bringing air into the home. The dirtier air filters are, the harder a system has to work, the more energy it uses, and the higher electricity and utility bills you end up paying.  

When air cannot properly flow throughout your house, you will use more energy to control the temperature of the house, resulting in an endless cycle of energy waste.  

Routinely check your air filters (every month is an excellent habit to form) to see if it’s covered in dirt or dust. If they are, clean them or replace them as necessary. You can also check your blower fan, motor, or AC coil for dirt or debris. These are easy to check, but if you don’t feel comfortable you can certainly call in a professional.  

What Are Some Energy-Saving and Money-Saving Tips for Using Air Conditioners, Ceiling Fans, and Home Insulation?  

Space cooling alone accounts for 16% of electricity consumption in the United States, making it the highest contributor of electric use at 236 billion kilowatt-hours nationwide. Space heating is the second-highest energy consumer at 15% and 190 billion kilowatt-hours. 

Dialing back the AC a few degrees, adjusting your thermostat, and investing in a programmable thermostat can lower energy consumption by 20-30%, saving $180 annually 

A room can feel 10 degrees cooler by turning on a ceiling fan, which uses just 10% of the energy produced by an air conditioner. You can also use the fan and AC in tandem after turning the air to a lower setting.  

Energy Star-certified ceiling fans are 60% more efficient than traditional fans, and the installation of Energy Star air conditioning units can save you more than $160 each year.  

Closing curtains and blinds during the day and opening the windows once it’s cool enough to turn off your air conditioner can help keep hot air out and trap the cool air inside. According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, all of the gaps in and around windows and doors in average U.S. households add up to a 3-foot-by-3-foot hole in the wall. 

Sealing up leaks and cracks with caulk, weather stripping, or window insulation kits can lock in the heat during the winter and keep your AC’s cold air from escaping during the summer. For a complete list of potential leaks, visit energy.gov 

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Can You Buy and Sell Renewable Energy? 

Renewable resources are clean and unlimited natural resources and will replenish and replace any portion of energy depleted by usage and consumption. They can be used constantly and continuously without running out and reduce the need for non-renewable sources of energy, such as fossil fuels.  

Today, we have several main types of renewable energy, including solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass. 

Renewable energy sources can be installed directly into your home (for example, by installing solar panels) or purchased through your electricity or utility company, or supplier. The excess energy that is produced can also be sold back to electric companies on grid-connected systems that have this option in place.  

Whether you’re taking that extra second to unplug the coffee pot, turning your AC down a few degrees, or purchasing green electricity, making the switch to an energy-efficient lifestyle gives you the power to use less energy, save more energy, and cut back on costs.  

Switching to Just Energy: It Pays to Make Changes 

With a variety of supply plans and green energy options, it’s easy to save on your electric bill while also helping the planet.  

We think it’s safe to assume that no one likes to waste money. But that may be just what you’re doing with your current energy supplier. Hidden fees and “discount” rates that don’t include the “extras” (which you actually need) will end up costing you in the long run.  

Why not reach out to an energy expert at Just Energy today? We can help you find the best plan for energy savings (and money savings) with a transparent plan that suits your specific needs. 

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