If you are a homeowner or have rented an apartment, you have probably experienced that shock when you get your electricity bill and the figures there are way over your normal average monthly bill.
This is something that has mostly happened to homeowners.
The first thing to do is to establish what is causing the sudden increase in electricity. If you find yourself in such a situation, below are some of the questions you should ask yourself before taking further action.
- Has your utility company increased electricity rates?
It is normal for electricity rates to fluctuate every now and then. In the United States alone, electricity has seen an approximate increase of 4%.However, this is not applicable in all states. Some states have seen a slight decrease in their utility bills.
If you have witnessed a sudden increase in your electricity bill, the first course of action would be to look at the rates your energy provider is offering. If they are not favorable, sites like https://www.iselect.com.au/energy/electricity- providers/ offer a list of electricity providers and an array of energy plans to suit the need of each customer.
You could either go for fixed or variable energy plans; whoever works for you. Frontier Utilities offers both fixed and variable energy plans to its customers, so you can choose the option that best fits your needs. And, no matter which plan you choose, you’ll never have to worry about bill surprises.
- Have you bought and used any new electronics recently?
A common cause of increased electricity bills may be new electronics that you have recently purchased. If you have not bought any new electronics, ask yourself if you have been using your old electronics more frequently.
Most homeowners will notice that electricity and other utility bills will hike when there is a visitor who has moved in temporarily or permanently. The more people there are in a house, the longer the dishwasher and the washing machine will run. Also, lights will be used for longer periods and remain on in more rooms than when fewer people are in the household.
- Are your electrical appliances old?
Most times, electrical appliances will degrade over time and become less efficient. Besides, issues may arise as they continue to be used over time.Such things are what will cause you appliances to use more energy than usual.
Also, older models were not made with the technology we have today. The current technological advancements have led to the manufacture of more energy efficient machines, something that is not common with older appliances.
If you have old appliances, the best thing would be to replace them with newer appliances. This will significantly lower your electricity bill and, in turn, increase your annual savings.
- Do appliances remain plugged in even when not in use?
Many people will leave chargers and other appliances plugged in when they are not in use. The thing about modern appliances is that they continue to draw electricity from the grid even if they have been switched off or an in ‘standby mode.’
These electronic devices draw a small amount of electricity. However, when several appliances are plugged in, the amount of the electricity they consume will add up and your bill is likely to go up because of these appliances.
