How to lower your electricity bill?

The rising cost of living is causing more and more households to watch their expenses. This includes the cost of food and housing, which includes the electricity bill.

While some expenses cannot be changed, the latter can be reduced with simple, effective solutions. So how can you reduce the cost of your electricity bill? Let us explain.

What appliances use the most electricity?

Today, we all have a variety of electrical appliances that use electricity daily. Some are more energy-hungry than others, and overuse of sockets can add to your Hydro-Québec bill.

Electric heating is a major consumer, especially in winter.

Cooling and washing machines also use a lot of electricity. These include:

• Refrigerators;
• Freezers;
• Dishwashers;
• Washers;
• Dryers.

Multimedia and IT equipment such as computers and televisions are also major consumers, as are cooking appliances such as ovens and stoves.

So it's important to monitor the use of all these appliances to reduce your energy consumption.

How can you reduce costs by optimizing the use of your electrical devices?

While a phone needs to be unplugged when its battery runs out, the use of other appliances can be delayed or optimized.

Dishwasher

Get in the habit of only starting your dishwasher when it's full. This will result in significant savings for an appliance that is used between 3 and 5 times per week by households that own one.

Washer and dryer

The same goes for the washer. It's better to wait until you have enough clothes to wash. What's more, dryer use can be limited in favour of air-drying your clothes.

Good to know: it's true that a fuller washer uses less water. But it uses the same amount of energy. Therefore, it's better to wash 1 full load than 2 medium loads!

Television

The bigger the television, the more energy it uses. At the same time, its brightness can be lowered for further savings.

What's more, over a year, a television left on all the time uses as much energy as a washing machine. So don't hesitate to turn it off when you're not using it.

Tips and tricks to lower your power bill

Let's take a look at some tips that can help you reduce the cost of your electricity bill without compromising your comfort. Small changes can add up to big savings!

Unplug appliances that add to your bill

Electrical appliances that are plugged in but not in use always use a small amount of energy. This is known as phantom load.

That's why it's a good idea to unplug them completely when you're not using them. Simply leave appliances that shouldn't be turned off, such as your refrigerator, on.

Aside from heating and hot water, turning off appliances on standby can add up to significant savings on your bill at the end of the month. With that in mind, here are some appliances you may want to consider unplugging:

• Small kitchen appliances like toasters and coffee makers;
• Computers and phones when their batteries are full;
• TVs, Internet routers, and game consoles.

Good to know: to make it easier to unplug your electrical devices, it may be a good idea to use power strips with a switch. This allows you to plug in and unplug multiple devices at the same time.

Use LED lighting

An LED lighting solution has the advantage of using less power and lasting longer. To make a good purchase, look for bulbs that last at least 20,000 hours.

Pay attention to interior design and layout

These topics may seem unrelated, but they're not. The colours you choose for your home play an important role.

A lighter colour choice for your interior tends to reflect light better. On the other hand, a darker colour tends to absorb light.

In terms of layout, it's a good idea to place your sofas and desks near windows. This way, you can enjoy natural light for longer periods without having to turn on your lights.

Change small daily habits

Last but not least, you can change some of your daily habits.

When cooking, cover your pots and pans to speed up cooking and save time. Also, turn off the oven a few minutes before cooking is finished to save electricity.

Also, regulate the heat in rooms you are not in regularly to avoid wasting heat. For example, the bathroom or toilet. Turning the thermostats down just one degree can make a big difference to your bill in the long run.

Another lesser-known tip is to limit your use of hot water. Since hot water uses more electricity, it can be replaced with cold water for cleaning food or washing hands.

Energy-efficient home renovation

In Quebec, the RénoClimat program helps people improve the energy performance and efficiency of their homes.

Renovating your home is a good way to reduce your daily energy consumption. With this in mind, it may be possible to make these changes with the help of Rénoclimat. This subsidy for greener housing is conditional on improving the energy performance of your home.

Your eligibility depends largely on the nature of the work. This may include improving insulation, replacing doors and windows, or installing or replacing a mechanical system such as a water heater or ventilation system.

Are you looking to buy an energy-efficient home?

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