Electricity is one of the greatest inventions of all times and has made life easy for everyone that uses it. However, this great innovation comes at a price; consumers have to pay for usage. We know how easy it is for people to start out by being grateful for something but it later becomes a source of worry.
In the case of electricity, consumers will always be grateful to have it but the fact remains that when the bills are due, it can become a point of concern. That is why every consumer of this energy has to learn how to manage it so that it serves them well without becoming a burden. In this article, we will discuss how users can conserve energy and maximize its usage to get the billig strøm (cheapest electricity) supply available. Let’s get started…
Getting the Right Electricity Supplier
Subscribing with the right energy supplier is the first step to getting cheap electricity. Some consumers do not know that different companies have different rates and operate on different terms and conditions. Therefore in this segment, we will discuss how to get the best energy company to subscribe with.
The following are tips to help you make the right choice:-
Comparison Shopping
What this means is that you will shop for as many companies as possible and compare their rates, terms and conditions. When you are making comparison of companies, ensure that you note the services that they offer, how much they charge for those services and the way they deliver those services.
There are tools online that you can use to make comparisons. These tools will give you near accurate information on the cost of subscribing with different companies. You can also decide to look at plans and offers from different companies by yourself and choose which one works best for you.
Choose the Right Plan
In comparing different electricity companies, one major factor that you’ll consider is the plans that they offer. A good number of providers offer fixed rate plans which means that the tariff charged is fixed for a specific period. This plan is good for people who do not want fluctuation with their bills and want to be able to work with a fixed budget every month.
There are providers who on the other hand offer variable rate plans which mean that the tariffs will fluctuate based on market price. This is a bit more risky than the fixed rate plans but they come with the benefit of potentially lower rates. Additionally, one can get lower rates for off peak periods.
Consider Signing up for Time-of-Use Rates
There are electricity companies that offer time of use rates. This is an arrangement in which the supplier charges different rates for power based on the time of the day. For example, rates are higher during peak periods and lower during off periods.
So if you sign up with such a provider, you can save money when you move some of your heavy power usage to off peak periods. You can do chores such as your dishes and laundry at night. This is a good plan for people who are able to adjust their schedules appropriately to do more chores at off peak periods. Click here for more info on time of use rates.
Tips for Conserving Energy to Save Money
Energy conservation is a big subject in the world today with a lot of people championing the cause of green energy. There are a lot of benefits to be gained from conserving power and maximizing the use of electricity. In relation to this subject, consumers stand the chance of saving money in addition to helping the environment.
Electricity
The following are tips that will help you conserve energy and maximize usage:-
Use Energy-Saving Appliances
This may seem like a no-brainer but there are still people who do not put it into consideration when buying appliances. Energy saving devices are specifically designed to use less power than their traditional counterparts. So when you go shopping for home appliances, look out for brands that have the Energy Star label.
The Energy Star Label is an indication that the appliance meets the required standard for energy efficiency. You can go further to look for brands that have the highest Energy Star rating; this will help maximize the money you save on power bills.
Although the upfront cost of some of these energy-efficient devices is a bit more expensive upfront, they are cost effective in the long run. Most often they pay for the cost of initial purchase over time.
Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient
Apart from getting appliances that are energy- efficient, there are other ways that you can make your home more energy efficient and they include the following:-
- Use caulks and weather strips to seal air leaks in your home. These air leaks are most often around doors and window.
- Insulate your walls and attic to reduce the loss of heat in winter and cool air in summer.
- Use a thermostat that’s programmable so that the temperature in your home can be adjusted automatically.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. LED bulbs use less energy and lasts much longer than the regular bulbs. Check out this site for more on energy saving devices: https://www.cnet.com/.
Always Use Smart Power Strips
A lot of home appliances and devices continue to use power even when they are switched off. This is known as phantom energy or standby energy; some people even refer to it as vampire energy. A power strip is used to plug and power multiple appliances.
This device helps to reduce the use of phantom energy by switching off the multiple appliances at once when they are not in use. There are even smart power strips that can be controlled remotely to turn off devices when you are not at home.
Join Energy Efficiency Programs
There are some electricity company that offer energy efficiency programs. These programs serve as incentives for consumers to reduce their electricity usage. An example is the rebate program for installing and using energy saving appliances or weatherizing your home.
Some companies offer free power audit for their consumers so that they can identify places where they can reduce their electricity usage. When you participate in these programs, you stand the chance of reducing the impact you have on the environment and saving money at the same time.
Monitor your Electricity Usage
It is very important to strictly monitor the way you use electricity. This will also help you keep track of your bills and know whether you are getting a good deal or not. You can track your power usage online on the website of your electricity supplier or you can switch to a smart meter.
Monitoring your usage helps you to identify where you need to cut down more thereby saving more on your energy bills.
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Alternatives to Electricity
There are many alternatives to electricity from other sources that are being explored by many energy companies and even states and countries. These alternative sources include the following:-
- Hydroelectricity – This is electricity generated from water power.
- Waves
- Tidal
- Floating Turbines
- Wind Turbines
- Airborne
- Solar PV
- Solar Roads
- Space Solar
- Solar Thermal
- Geothermal
- Solid Biomass
- Biofuels
- Hydrogen
Some of these alternatives are more widely explored than others and if you look around in your environment you will find one that’s commonly used. Consumers are encouraged to seek these alternatives but while waiting for these alternatives to become fully consumer friendly, learn to maximize the electricity source that we have presently.
Conclusion
In this article so far, we have discussed the different ways of maximizing the use of electricity and getting the cheapest supplier available. We have stated that this requires a combination of buying energy efficient home appliances and lifestyle and habit changes. Additionally, comparison shopping will get you the best deals as you will be able to explore as many options as possible.
These tips that we have discussed here will help you save significant amount of money if you adhere to them religiously. But also note that all these tips are not applicable to everyone. Look at the options and points discussed critically based on your personal circumstance and preference. Only then can you make an informed decision that will benefit you ultimately.
