On lockdown because of the coronavirus outbreak? You’re likely to spend more on utilities than ever before. You’ll be cooking a lot, kids will be watching TV for long hours, and then there’s the regular cleaning and laundry. When you add all these things and, you can expect higher utility bills at the end of the month.

But that shouldn’t stop you from making your home energy efficient. Once you know why your energy bill is so high, you can make adjustments to bring it under control.

Reasons your utility bills are higher during the pandemic

The highest consumers of power when you are at home are obviously electric and gas appliances. The TV in the living room, the gas cooker, computer, and other devices that now have to be used very frequently and even continuously use more power. Now that everyone is working from home, the number of trips made to the refrigerator is probably way higher than when everyone had places to be during the day.

Both heating and cooling require electricity. Now that everyone is now indoors and within the same space, you will find yourself running your HVAC to create favorable internal conditions. If you take the time to calculate your average utility bill since the lockdown began, you will notice your energy consumption has gone up. The winter weather may have contributed in a way too.

Everyone is trying to save money during this period. Governments and companies are doing all they can to assist individuals in weathering the storm. Some governments and energy providers have offered concessions on electricity and gas so people can have money to spend on other essentials such as food and medication.

Ways to keep your utility bills low while working from home

To really keep your utility bills low, you will first need to understand the reason for the high bills. Everyone’s home is different, depending on what working from home means to them. Most people use a laptop to work, and this consumes very little power. Some have massive power-hungry rigs that need constant cooling, hence use a lot of power. It is advisable that you begin by calculating the rated power consumption of each appliance.

Did you know that you can cut your energy cost at home by as much as 10 to 15% simply by running the washing machine twice from thrice a week? If your power consumption is high on the days you do laundry, here’s a practical energy efficiency tip: wash more clothes at a go than do it every other day. You may have to make changes to your regular schedule, too, but this is a price worth paying.

To tame your heating and air conditioning consumption, adjust your thermostat depending on the weather. You should also make it a habit to open the window curtains in the morning to keep your home office well-lit, temperate, and comfortable. During the cold season, you can save a significant amount of money on your heating bills when you seal all the air leaks by weatherstripping and caulking.

Lower your utility bill with these energy savings tips

It is very natural to be tempted to prepare a light snack, heat up left-overs, or fix something from an online recipe when you feel hungry. Frequently using gas to cook can be very costly in the long run. Save yourself the pain of hefty gas and electricity bills by preparing full family meals in advance then storing them in hotpots. This will also reduce the amount of time spent in the kitchen and the need for reheating. 

Big families may have more difficulty keeping their utility bills low during the coronavirus lockdown because of poor habits. Ensure everyone is on their best behavior. Leaving the lights on a minute longer than is necessary translates into wastage. And this will add up your energy bill. While you are at it, it might be a good idea to check your gas company ga to make sure you are getting the best rate. One company may have cheaper gas rates which would save a bundle on bills.

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to home appliances. In fact, your bigger stoves, dishwashers, and refrigerator contribute to high energy consumption. Go for smaller appliances, including the microwave, toaster, small pots, and water jugs that trap heat are more power-efficient.

Consider alternative sources of heat that can help you keep your utility bills low. For instance, you can cook vegetables and meat with the grill outdoors once or twice a week rather than use the oven. Such small changes may seem insignificant, but they go a long way to reducing energy consumption and bills.