Have you noticed higher than normal monthly utility bills in your Baton Rouge, Louisiana, home? The culprit could be energy habits you may not even realize you have. Check out some of the most common bad energy habits homeowners have that can cause higher energy bills.

Letting Electronics Drain Your Energy

You may have the habit of leaving your electronic devices plugged in so they will be ready to use when you need them. Unfortunately, even when not in use, your devices are utilizing a large amount of energy. You may think that having to press the power button on your devices to turn them on means they are not using energy up to that point. In reality, pushing the power button is simply taking the electronic devices out of standby mode.

Computers, DVD players, microwaves, coffee makers, and gaming consoles all are consistently draw power even when it seems like they are off. Consider plugging multiple electronic devices into a power strip that you can simply flip off when you’re done using to conserve power.

Poor Lighting Habits

Many homeowners will use lights out of habit, turning them on instead of opening the blinds or leaving them on when not in the room. By switching your lights off when you leave the room and using natural light when you can, you will save a few dollars off your energy bills each month.

You may also depend on ceiling lights to illuminate an entire room, which can be significantly less efficient than using lamps to direct the light where you need it most. You can also help reduce the energy use of the lighting in your home, by switching to more energy-efficient LED bulbs.

Running Energy-Hogging Appliances

Most of your large appliances hog a lot of the energy in your home, which can significantly drive your utility bills higher than you can afford. While using these appliances is necessary to get through your daily routine, you can reduce the amount of energy they consume by only running your clothes washer and dishwasher when they are full, using low heat for your dryer, and using appropriate cycles.

Heating and Cooling Your Home When You Don’t Need It

If you use a set-it-and-forget-it attitude when it comes to keeping the temperature comfortable in your home, you’re likely wasting energy trying to warm up and cool down rooms that are not in use, or you may be maintaining a certain temperature in your home when there is no one in the house. Use the programming capabilities of your thermostats by setting the temperature higher during the summer months and lower during the winter months when you are away. This can provide you with significant savings throughout the season.

Keeping Appliances That Are Inefficient

It’s likely that you will use your appliances as long as possible, replacing them once they have broken down. While it may seem like these appliances are still working well, they may not be working as efficiently as they once did if they are nearing the end of their expected longevity. You may feel that purchasing a new appliance is a costly expense, but with new energy-efficient models available, you’re likely to recoup your costs for the upgrade in savings on your utility bill.

Not Keeping Your HVAC System Maintained

When your HVAC system is properly maintained, your technician will thoroughly clean all the components, check for and rectify any problems with airflow, and check for any parts that are worn or need replacing. By keeping your system clean and functioning properly, it will run more efficiently. The more efficient your system runs, the less it will have to work to maintain the desired temperature and the lower your energy bills will be.

Don’t let poor energy habits leave you with high energy bills outside your budget. Ditch the bad habits listed above, and enjoy the monthly savings that lower utility bills can afford you. Want to find the most energy-efficient HVAC system for your home? Or do you need to schedule your regular maintenance? Contact our specialists at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Baton Rouge today at (225) 320-4162.