10 Easy Hacks That Could Save You Energy and Money at Home

If you could earn a few hundred bucks a year by making minor changes around your home, you'd jump at the opportunity, right? There's a good chance that you're flushing hundreds of dollars down the drain every year on wasted energy.

According to the EPA, the average household spends more than $2,000 annually on energy bills! Imagine how much money you could save by being more conscious of how you're using electricity.

If you're looking to reduce your energy consumption and save some money at home, we have you covered!

Here are some electricity saving hacks that you can adopt today.

Did you know that a standard 60-watt incandescent bulb costs you about $5.00 a year if you turn it on a couple of hours every day? Considering that the average home has around 45 light bulbs in it, you're looking at a considerable investment!

Instead of old-school incandescent bulbs, go for CFL or LED bulbs. Both options are roughly 75 percent more energy-efficient. Plus, they last longer. It's a simple change that can make all the difference.

Most of the electricity your washing machine uses is for heating water. Depending on your machine, up to 90 percent of its energy consumption is wasted on something that most people don't need.

Unless you're dealing with heavily soiled clothes, the cold cycle will work just fine! But, it'll cut back on your energy costs significantly.

Speaking of laundry, dryers are big energy-users, too. Not only do you have a constantly-rotating drum, but there's the heating element to think about if you have an all-electric model.

Tossing a dry towel in with your wet load can dramatically reduce drying times. The towel soaks up that excess moisture, allowing your clothes to dry much quicker.

Outdoor clotheslines aren't just for farms or homes without electricity. If you live in a temperate climate, your clothes will only take a few hours to dry in the sun.

Air drying doesn't cost you a penny, so it's worth considering on those warm sunny days.

One of the easiest electrical hacks you can use is likely hanging on your bedroom ceiling! Ceiling fans are very common. Yet, most homeowners don't take full advantage of what they have to offer.

On hot days, use the fan to circulate air and create a nice breeze. For colder days, reverse the fan's functionality! This will pull warm air near your ceiling down to the floor so that you can stay warm.

You'd be surprised by how much electricity is wasted by just keeping things plugged in. Several devices pull power even when they're not being used. Some of the biggest offenders are:

• Toasters
• Coffee makers
• Computers
• Gaming consoles
• Phone chargers
• DVD players

The best way to put an end to that waste is to unplug your devices. Alternatively, you can invest in a power strip with a zero-power switch.

One of the most effective electrical hacks is to turn down your water heater. This appliance uses a ton of energy around the clock to provide hot water whenever you need it. Most systems are set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Truth is, you don't need it to be that hot! Lower it to around 120 degrees. For every 10 degrees you lower the thermostat, you can save up to 5 percent on your electric bill.

We're not talking about getting rid of dirt on your floors and furniture! Many homeowners neglect their appliances. As dust accumulates in filters and fans, your appliances have to work much harder to provide baseline performance.

Here are some essential cleaning tasks you need to complete.

• Replace AC air filters
• Clean HVAC vents
• Clean refrigerator fan
• Remove lint from dryer vents
• Maintain ducts

This is one of the lesser-known electric bill hacks. Whether you're boiling water for a cup of tea or you're preparing to soften dry noodles, boil your water in an electric kettle!

Kettles are well-insulated. Not only that, but the water is usually in direct contact with the heating coils. Thus, water will boil faster. Overall, using an electric kettle is about 80 percent more energy efficient than using an electric stove.

Energy costs are rising every year. Factor in all of the electronics that homeowners are constantly plugging in and you have the perfect recipe for wasted energy.

Luckily, there's a lot that you can do to reduce your energy costs. Give these hacks a shot! They're easy enough to try today and they won't affect your lifestyle. You have nothing to lose but high electrical bills!