If you're like most homeowners, you only glance at your utility bills without ever really examining what they say. In this blog post from our team at Alternative Energy Systems (AES) in Chico, CA, we'll discuss four important things your utility bills won't directly tell you about your home's energy use. So read on to learn more and contact us today for a solar panel installation estimate!
4 Things Your Utility Bills Won't Tell You About Your Home Utility Usage
4 Things Your Utility Bills Won't Tell You About Your Home Utility Usage
Your Solar Energy System Is Working Hard to Save You Money
Solar energy systems are designed to offset your home's energy use by generating electricity from the sun. This means the energy your solar system produces is free and thus won’t be reflected on your utility bills.
Your Home's Energy Use Varies From Month to Month
Another thing your utility bills won't tell you is your home's energy use can vary significantly from one month to the next. This is due to a number of factors, such as the weather, how often you use your appliances, and whether or not you have guests staying with you. Understanding how your energy usage fluctuates can help you budget for your utility bills and avoid sticker shock when your bill's higher than expected.
You Might Be Using More Energy Than You Realize
Many appliances and electronics continue to draw power even when they're turned off, but your bills won’t tell you this. This is known as "standby power" or "phantom energy" and can be reduced by unplugging electronics and appliances when they're not in use or plugging them into a power strip to easily turn them all off with the flip of a switch.
You May Not Be Using Efficient Appliances
Finally, your utility bills won't tell you whether or not your appliances are energy-efficient. If you're using old, inefficient appliances, they could be costing you a lot of money in energy. To save money, consider upgrading to energy-efficient appliances.