Lower the Power

If you’ve noticed that your energy bill is higher than ever, you’re not alone. With that in mind, here are some ways to keep your electricity bill as low as possible.

Schedule an Audit

The first thing to do when trying to save on an electric bill is to schedule an energy audit. Simply call your provider and ask for one. During the audit, the expert will do the following:

• Locate air leakage and insulation degradation
• Analyze your appliances to make sure they are efficient
• Detail your current energy usage and past trends

Once the expert is finished, they’ll give you a report with their findings. You can use this report to fix and/or change things so that your home is more energy efficient. Sometimes, depending on the company and your income, you might even qualify for rebates and discounts on energy-efficient upgrades.

Get Smart

Install a smart thermostat (or thermostat) if you haven’t already. These thermostats monitor your usage and automatically adjust the heat/AC based on your habits. According to one report, installing smart thermostats can save you up to 15 percent on electricity costs.

Ask Around

Many utility companies offer discount programs and other deals, you just have to ask about them.

Do One Thing: Call your provider and schedule an energy audit. This will provide a good starting point for saving on electricity.

Original article by Chris O'Shea and adapted in partnership with SavvyMoney.