Electricity costs can cause a great deal of financial strain on a household. This is especially true for families and households that consistently have multiple residents at home at once. What's more, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people working from home has spiked, making the electricity bill a relevant concern for millions. 

Thankfully, power costs can be reduced when you incorporate these four tips:

1. Insulate Your Roof

Sometimes, we use way too much electricity when trying to control the temperature of our home. Houses with uninsulated roofs provide insufficient resistance to the outside elements. They also let out the heat or cold air that you've spent so much money generating inside.

Having your roof insulated will save you a significant amount of money in the long run, especially if you already struggle to keep your house at an ideal temperature. If you can't have your roof insulated at the moment, be sure to keep your windows sealed shut during winter and your curtains closed during summer. 

2. Wash with Cold Water

One of the easiest ways to reduce your electricity costs is to change the way you do laundry. Wash your clothes in cold water, using the shortest reasonable washing cycle, and wait until your washing machine is full before using it. You can also hang your clothes to dry rather than putting them in the dryer, which tends to use up a lot of energy.

3. Turn Things Off

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's a bad habit that most of us are guilty of. Before going to bed or leaving your house, be sure to turn off your lights, kitchen appliances, computer, printer, WiFi router, and any other devices that may be using energy needlessly. You can also activate your computer's energy-saving settings, which will power off the device if you forget to shut it down.

4. Use Solar Energy

Solar energy is one of the most popular and promising forms of renewable energy. Incorporating it into your household is a great investment for the future. 

One of the most common and reliable ways of using solar energy is in your water heater. Having a solar-powered water heater over the standard model is guaranteed to decrease your power consumption, and as a result, your electricity bill.

Contact a Professional

Not sure how to make your home more energy-efficient? Tired of paying ridiculously high electricity bills and aren't sure how to bring your costs down? If these tips don't do the trick, it may be time to contact a professional electrician. They'll be able to inspect your home and offer you practical advice and solutions to lower your overall electricity costs.