My four energy tricks lowered my electricity bill by $100

Jun 29, 2023

AS summer comes to an end, energy bills will no doubt get pricier.

Utility bills rose by roughly 16 percent in the US from August 2021 to August 2022, according to a report from Bank of America.

Plus, the Consumer Price Index for July revealed a steady rise in the energy index, which may lead to higher electricity bills.

However, a TikToker shared four easy hacks to keep those bills low.

Nicole B (texas_hippiee) is an energy saver and TikToker who recently shared how she was able to bring her energy bills down by $100.

In the recent TikTok, Nicole revealed the four changes she made to bring her monthly bill from $275 to $175.

Below, The U.S. Sun has rounded up her saving tricks starting with the blinds.

An easy way to save on electricity is by skipping the lights.

Nicole suggests instead turning the lights off during the day and opening the blinds instead.

Not only will you be saving money, you'll let in natural sunlight which boosts your brain's serotonin levels.

Doctors say this can give you more energy and help keep you calm, positive, and focused.

However, Nicole recommended facing the blinds upward as to reduce the amount of heat you let in your home - especially helpful during the warmer months.

Next up is unplugging any unused appliances, also known vampire energy.

This is when appliances that are unused or in standby still soak up electricity and add to your bills.

Make sure to watch for items like computers, chargers, coffee makers, toasters, hairdryers, lights, and more.

According to a 2015 Natural Resources Defense Council study, vampire energy, on average adds $165 to your energy bills per year.

Nicole also suggests finding the goldilocks temperature.

This is where you set your thermostat higher than you normally would so it doesn't have to work so hard.

The US Department of Energy suggests setting your thermostat back between seven and 10 degrees during the winter and summer months.

Nicole sets hers between 76 and 77.

The last tip she shared was to reduce the amount you do your laundry and use cold water instead.

Switching to cold water in your washing machine can shave money off your bills with nearly every wash.

This is because 75 to 90 percent of all the energy your washer uses goes to warming up the water, according to GE.

Con Edison hit millions of Americans with an automatic surcharge but there’s a calculated way to avoid the increase.

Plus, an easy-to-install switch can save as much as $48 off your energy bill.