When you pay your electric bill, keep in mind that you’re paying for the energy you used last month. No one can go back in time to change their energy consumption, but we can all make changes today to set ourselves up for lower electric bills in the future.
The amount of your electric bill depends on how much electricity you use, so lower bills are a direct result of using less energy.
Lower bills are within reach with one simple test: the dollar bill test.
Electricity is wasted when doors and windows aren’t properly sealed to the outdoors, attics, garages, or crawl spaces. If your heat or air conditioning is escaping through a gap in your doors or windows, just imagine dollars escaping through that gap too!
Improper seals make your heating and cooling system work harder and use more energy. Ultimately, that raises your bill.
The dollar bill test is easy.
Simply take a dollar bill and shut your doors and windows on it. If you can easily pull the bill out, then the window or door seal is weak. Sometimes you can see the gap. Other times, it can be easy to miss.
If you find that any seals in your house are weak, many remedies are available at your local hardware store. Caulking and weatherstripping can fill gaps. You may find that adjusting the alignment of your door or window fixes the gap.
Don’t let your money fly out of your home’s doors and windows! Save money on future bills with one dollar bill today.
For more energy-saving tips and resources, including in-person and virtual energy audits, contact your public power provider.