The consumption of electricity is one of the most essential necessities in life. But when you aren’t careful, your electricity bill can instantly go high. Also, most people have two or more electric appliances at home and may use them all simultaneously. If this is the case, your electricity bill will be significantly high.
So, you were paying your monthly bills and you came across an unusually high electric bill. And now your entire budget for the month is messed up. After all, you can’t delay paying utility bills and risk getting your power cut off.
Receiving an electricity bill more than what you expected is a financial inconvenience, especially if you’re living pay cheque to pay cheque. So why is your bill so high?
In this post, we’re sharing some common reasons for inflated electricity bills. Let’s take a look.
- Over-consumption
Do you forget to turn off lights and other electronic devices when you leave? Your over-consumption could be the very reason for over-priced electricity bills. Make it a habit to turn off all electric appliances when not in use.
Over-consumption of electricity can also lead to another pressing issue: electrical failure. This is the most common cause of high bills. It happens when there’s a breakdown in the system. There can be many reasons why the system fails, including the breaker box is malfunctioning, wiring has been disconnected, and the fuse has been tripped. In some cases, wires were soldered incorrectly.
To further keep your consumption in check, you can invest in motion sensor lights that automatically turn off when you leave the room.
- Outdated Appliances
Not only are outdated appliances inefficient, but they also require more energy to operate. You can reduce your energy consumption by replacing outdated appliances with their energy-efficient versions. You might have to spend now, but you’ll be saving a lot in the long-term.
These outdated appliances could also come hand-in-hand with physical damage to your home. This is a very common scenario, particularly when you’re living in an older home. When the building or equipment is damaged, you’ll incur heavy losses. It may be the source of the electrical overload. If you have an old house, it’s not that hard to cause great damage. Usually, old houses have a weak structure and many problems with the wiring system. Also, these types of damages usually have a high impact on the bills you pay every month.
- Inefficient Lighting Fixtures
Fluros and incandescent lights might be cheaper, but they use up a lot of energy and need to be replaced often. It’s economical to switch to LED lighting fixtures. This energy-efficient alternative is better for the environment and much more durable.
Thermal energy conversion due to inefficient lighting fixtures and insulation is another major cause of high electricity. This is mainly brought about by the lack of insulation and improper installation of your electrical systems at home. The heat in the room will escape to other rooms, which results in high consumption. The best way to avoid this from happening is to have a proper and well set-out electrical plan of your building, through TXU Energy.
- Expensive Energy Plan
Is your electricity bill high despite taking all measures to limit your consumption?
Actually, it may not even be your fault. Energy rates are constantly rising and you might be stuck by an unfavourable contract. As the energy market is highly competitive, you should switch to an affordable electricity plan. Check out AGL Energy plans to find a suitable option for your home or business.
https://www.rba.gov.au/information/foi/disclosure-log/pdf/101115.pdf
- Poor Insulation
A poorly insulated home or office won’t be able to retain energy and subsequently drive up energy requirements. In order to prevent energy loss, make sure your property is properly insulated. Attic, crawlspaces, garages, and basements, in particular, should be insulated.
Also, install necessary window treatment to maximise natural light and avoid energy loss.
- Vampire Appliances
Vampire appliances such as televisions and coffee makers continue to consume energy despite being ‘off’ or on the ‘stand-by’ mode. Unplug these devices to keep your energy consumption to a minimum.
Moreover, you can install energy-efficient power strips to avoid the inconvenience of unplugging and plugging.
- Careless Appliance Use
Do you run the dishwasher for a few plates and spoons? Do you do your laundry every other day of the week?
Dishwashers and washing machines are two of the most helpful home appliances, but they require a lot of electricity to operate. Therefore, it’s economical to use these appliances at their full capacity. So, load up the dishwasher at the end of the day and wash your clothes in big batches. Also, line-dry your clothes whenever you can.
- Extreme Weather Conditions
Some things are out of your control and unpredictable weather is one such factor. The best thing you can do is program your thermostat according to changes in the weather.
To add to your convenience, get a smart thermostat that adjusts automatically.
- Faulty Electricity Meter
If there is a discrepancy in your daily consumption and the reading displayed on your electricity meter, then it could be faulty. You should hire an electrician to inspect and fix the meter.
Final Words
If you’re still unable to identify the reasons for your high energy bills, it’s best to involve an energy auditor to analyse your energy flow and identify any defaults.
