Tips on how to reduce your monthly electricity bills
Recent times are tough as COVID continues to affect our livelihoods. Many people have experienced reduced hours or have lost their jobs entirely. Others work from home and find it difficult to balance work and family. The onset of the pandemic has undoubtedly caused many to re-evaluate their spending and search for ways to save. We can all benefit when it comes to savings for our gas bill. Let’s take a look at ways Clean Gas recommends to reduce our monthly costs when it comes to energy consumption, specifically for propane appliances.
Reduce hot water consumption
For the average home, water heating accounts for nearly 20% of gas consumption. Even small actions can greatly impact your monthly bill. We suggest reducing your hot water consumption. Try encouraging members of your home to take quicker showers and to run full loads of dishes. Remember, dishwashers are four times more water efficient than washing by hand.
Lower your water heater’s thermostat setting
It is best practice to lower your unit’s thermostat. This will help in using less propane and acts as a great safety measure, as well. Additionally, try to shut off your water heater while on vacation. Enjoy the savings if no one is home for a few days.
Wash in cold water
Washing items in cold temperatures is one of the easiest ways to save on home appliances. Laundry detergents have gotten far more efficient in removing dirt and stains at lower water temperatures. After washing in cold water, increase the spin cycle speed. One of the most overlooked ways to reduce propane consumption is to use the high-speed spin cycle. This may seem counterintuitive, but this will greatly reduce the time items spend in the dryer which will save you more in the long run.
Reduce time required to dry items
Perhaps, the spin cycle has allowed you to place slightly damp items in the sun or on a clothing rack, removing the need to dry these items at all. The fewer items you toss in the dryer, the more money you can toss in your pocket. Another way to save is to wash and dry similar items together. It is not energy efficient to mix heavy items like towels with lighter items like t-shirts or pillow cases. This will allow you to take full advantage of the appliance settings such as cottons and woollens. Check out this article on 10 Ways to Save Energy Doing Laundry.
Cook multiple dishes at once
When using your oven, consider cooking several dishes or servings at once. This will help save gas and time. This will also allow you to meal prep and promote healthy eating throughout the week. The oven will also retain much of its heat when you are cooking. It’s best practice to use the residual heat to warm other dishes or turn the oven off 5 minutes prior to completion. The residual heat from your oven will be enough to finish the dish. Remember, don’t peek! Try minimizing the amount of times you open the oven door as this will allow heat to escape making your appliance work harder. Check out this article on Save Energy When Cooking With Your Oven.
Try ceramic or glass pans and lids
Other ways to save include switching to ceramic or glass pans. These will hold heat much better than metal ones, meaning you can cook your dish at a lower temperature. Try defrosting your food or pre-cooking before moving to the oven. For example, you can boil or steam your vegetables before finishing them in the oven. This will shorten the cooking time required in the oven. Adjust your cooking habits and use your oven more efficiently and start saving on gas costs today! Check out this article on Energy-Saving Tips for Using an Oven.
Use these energy-saving tips to help reduce costs of your monthly gas bill. To learn more, chat to a Clean Gas representative who will give you professional advice on a solution that suits your home and lifestyle. Just give us a call at 233-4427 or email gopropane@cleangas.ky
