With ever-increasing per-kWh rates, knowing how to cut electric bills by 75 percent is unequivocally essential. The best way is to change your electricity usage patterns, like upgrading your appliances, turning them off when unused, regularly cleaning and maintaining appliances, and conducting a home energy habit.
One of the best ways, however, is to invest in Jackery Solar Generators. With their high battery capacity and portable design, they are suitable for powering most household appliances. This, in turn, reduces your reliance on the electric grid and your high electric bills.
Key Takeaways
- Supply charges, delivery charges, and taxes are the primary components of an electric bill.
- Cooling (ACs, refrigerators) and heating (heaters, dryers) consume the most electricity in a home.
- Investing in energy-star appliances and changing electricity usage are the best ways to reduce your bills.
- Changing energy sources to solar is the best way to save on bills.
Understanding Your Electric Bill
When the question is, how can I cut my electric bill, the first step is understanding what you’re paying for. Looking at your electric bill, you’ll find it broken down into multiple home energy charges, which vary with utilities but are typically divided into three parts: supply, delivery, and taxes.
Supply Charges: They comprise the major part of an electric bill and include the cost to pay for the total energy used within a respective period.
Delivery Charges: Delivery is the cost of getting the energy to you, and it includes the infrastructure and maintenance costs.
Taxes: It covers any taxes enforced by the local, state, or federal government against your energy usage.
By understanding the three major components, you can identify the areas to work on. For example, delivery cost and taxes aren’t in your control, but so is the supply cost. You can adjust your energy usage pattern to cut down your bills or look for any available energy efficiency incentives from your government or utilities.
Other than that, a few other components of your electric bill include:
- Meter Number: The meter number on your bill is a unique number that identifies it as a meter of the specific addresses.
- Meter Readings: Your electricity meter records total electricity consumption in units (kWh or kilowatt-hour) and indicates the number of units you consume during the billing period.
- Billing Period: You pay for electricity consumed for a specific duration, typically around a month.
- Monthly Consumption: The monthly consumption pertains to the amount of energy used in the billing month and is a primary factor in determining your electric bills.
- Kilowatt-Hour (kWh): It’s standard to measure energy consumption, and a thorough understanding of it is crucial to gauge your electric bills accurately.
- Tariff Structure: Electric tariffs include everything: fixed charges, energy charges, surcharges, and taxes. A tariff structure on your bill outlines the rates you pay for respective consumption levels.
What Appliances Use The Most Electricity in A House?
A decade or two back, people used hand fans to get a cool breeze and get relief from the heat in summer, and even did laundry by hand and hung it to dry. It saves hundreds of watt-hours of electricity, which your air conditioners, dryers, washing machines, ceiling fans, and others might consume, and ultimately reflects on your electric bills.
Let’s understand how these appliances hike your electricity usage:
Air Conditioner: An Air Conditioner (AC) is a common appliance that contributes to most of your monthly bills. This is primarily because they use a large amount of electricity to cool your home, which can go as high as 1450 kWh a month, or 40% of the average electric consumption. The size and efficiency of these appliances dictate their usage, and in some cases, the numbers can get even higher.
Electric Furnace: Alongside air conditioners, furnaces typically use up to 10,000-50,000 watts of electricity. An electric furnace running around 9 hours a day consumes up to 26 kWh of electricity, adding up to 182 kWh of electricity in a week and up to 5,500 kWh a month, almost two times that of an air conditioner. Considering the average electric bill in the US at $0.1419/kWh, an electric furnace adds up to $37.42 per month to your electric bill.
Dryer: Dryers are appliances that contribute to a large portion of your overall monthly energy consumption. Although the numbers might vary with models and the load you put in at a time, they can go up to 769 kWh, which is fairly high. The good news is that many Energy Star-rated dryer models are now available on the market, which means they consume less energy than traditional ones. This is great news for those who want to cut power bills considerably.
Refrigerators: Refrigerators also need considerable energy to run constantly to keep the food inside cool and fresh. Although similar to others, the consumption differs from model to model, but typically, it can go up to 1-2kWh, costing about $150 per year. However, you can always use energy-star-rated refrigerators that consume up to 30% less electricity.
Space Heater: Space heaters can ramp up your electric bills by double and even triple if you aren’t careful. Despite their small size, they consume a lot, with up to 1.5kWh in an hour, and considering the average electric rate in the US, you pay around 26 cents in that time. What you can do is use them not as your primary heat source but rather in tandem with your heating system.
Lights: Although small, lights can use a lot of electricity in your home, especially if you go away and keep them on for a long time. Although LEDs account for much less than traditional lights, they might add up to the overall amount at the end of the month. So make sure to turn them on when they’re needed and off when you leave the area.
Here’s a table that showcases their wattage and electricity needed:
|
Appliance |
Wattage |
Time |
Electricity Needed |
|
Air Conditioner-Window |
1,050W |
4-5 hours |
4.2-5.25kWh |
|
Refrigerator |
900W |
24 hours |
21.6kWh |
|
Electric Furnace |
13,000W |
1-2 hours |
13-26kWh |
|
Dryer |
4,000-5,400W |
1-2 hours |
4-10.6kWh |
|
Space Heater |
1,500W |
2-3 hours |
3-4.5kWh |
|
Light |
8-23W |
14-15 hours |
0.11-0.34kWh |
Although these are the major culprits, other appliances like microwaves, dishwashers, electric ovens, electric stovetops, water heaters, and others contribute more or less towards electric consumption and eventually add up to your electric bills. So, be smart when running these appliances.
How to Cut Electric Bill by 75%?
Now that you understand your electric bill and the appliances that are adding up the numbers on it, you’ll need a strategy to cut electric bills by 75 percent. In this way, you not only save your bank from emptying out but also reduce your home’s carbon emissions and potentially help the environment. Now let’s explore some strategies you can employ:
Conduct a Home Energy Audit
To start things, conduct an energy audit of your home to get a clear image of the overall energy use. Many utilities offer free audits to their customers, so take advantage of that and determine how much electricity is spent, where it needs improvement, and what steps you must take to achieve your ultimate goal of cutting down the electric bill. In many cases, a proper home audit helps reduce the bill by hundreds of dollars annually.
Use Energy Efficient Appliances
Upgrading your home appliances to newly launched Energy Star-rated ones can help you reach your monthly objective. These appliances are around 15% more efficient than the traditional ones, consume less electricity, and lower down your monthly bill.
Turn Off Unused Appliances
Another excellent way to cut down your electric consumption is turning off your appliances like computers, lights, ACs, and others. For example, an average desktop and a laptop drain up to 200W and 100W of electricity, depending on the model. And even in standby mode, they continue to draw up to 170W and 85W of electricity per hour. If you completely turn off your units, they will stop consuming electricity entirely and see a decrease in your electric bill.
Regularly Clean and Maintain Appliances
Even your 5-star-rated appliance will be less energy efficient than a 1-star one if it isn’t maintained properly. That’s because as appliances get old, dust, debris, and dirt start accumulating in them, potentially hampering their functioning and resulting in performance issues. In the end, these appliances are not very energy efficient. So, it’s essential that you periodically clean your appliances to keep curbing the electricity requirement.
Keep your Freezer Full
As you know, refrigerators are one of the biggest culprits behind your high electric bills every month, and you can’t turn them off to keep your food fresh. But what you can do is keep the freezer and fridge full. Food here acts as insulation and lessens the time a refrigerator has to run to keep it cool.
Dry Your Clothes Outside
Rather than using a dryer, you can set up a clothesline in your backyard and let Mother Nature act as one. If there’s not much empty space there, you can hang your clothes to dry on a drying rack or a shower rod. This alone might cut down your electric bill by almost 10-15%.
Shield Your House From the Sun
An alternative way to keep your house cool and avoid air conditioners as much as possible is to close the blinds and curtains in the area most exposed to the sun. To even reduce the AC runtime, install tinted window film.
Take Advantage of Off-Peak Rates
If you use a time-of-use plan correctly, you can save a chunk on your electric bill. Ask your local provider if they have such a plan, and try to heat water, run the dishwasher, wash laundry, and run air conditioners during off-peak hours when rates are the lowest. This is an ideal way to save money if you work from home.
Use Smart Strips
Replace your surge protectors with smart strip surge protectors that automatically turn off appliances when not in use. Some appliances, such as desktops and laptops, continue to consume energy even when in standby mode, and a smart strip removes that to save you money on electric bills.
Annual HVAC maintenance
Another tip to reduce your average bill is to maintain your HVAC system annually. Even an inspection saves you up to 20% on your bills, and most technicians recommend expert energy-saving tips to boost its overall efficiency.
How Does Solar Save Your Electric Bill?
When it’s about going solar, people primarily cite two major reasons: one, you save the environment, and the other is to save on electric bills. Now the question is, how much, and is it profitable considering heavy investment goes in on solar panels? On average, installing solar panels costs you between $6,000 and $13,000, with each panel costing around $995. For a three-bedroom house, you might have to pay around $7860 for installation, and it might vary depending on your roof size, the house’s location, and the type of hardware used.
Now, let’s see how much you save from investing in solar energy. It depends on the size of solar panels, the cost of grid electricity, and the amount of sunlight it receives, but on average, you save up to $572 a year. And if you send the excess electricity back to the grid, savings rake up to $886. In other words, going solar cuts your per kWh price by 65% or more. Over a 9-10 year term, your savings add up to $8860, which means you are at a profit of around $1000.
That’s not it. With the purchase of solar panels and generators that utilize solar energy to produce electricity, you’re eligible to receive a federal residential solar energy credit of up to 30%. This means you get a refund of $2358 on your solar panel installation, thereby raising the savings to $3358 annually, which adds up to $33,580 in ten years. There’s also a 10-25-year loan available on purchase, where the savings are around 47% per kWh.
You will need a few conservation techniques to achieve your 75% reduction target on electric bills.
Also, if savings are the target, but you can’t afford to invest thousands in solar panels, then go for Jackery Solar Generators. These are reliable, portable, and efficient enough to meet most of your power needs and save a chunk on your electric bills. They come in various sizes, so get one that fits your needs well.
Jackery Solar Generators to Save Electric Bills
Jackery Solar Generators are one of the most effective solutions for providing a reliable and steady power supply to most home appliances. They have two components: Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels and Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations.
They take in the sun’s rays to convert them into a usable current and minimize your reliance on electrical grids to end up with lower electric bills every month. Besides, they don’t cost loads, and their portable nature lets you carry them anywhere without much trouble. You also might end up with rebates on selected models of Jackery Solar Generators. Here are some of the popular ones.
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro features a high-capacity battery with high power output to support charging 99% of household appliances, including refrigerators, air conditioners, mobile phones, laptops, TVs, and more. It minimizes your reliance on the utility grid and lets you achieve your target of cutting your electric bill by 75%. Additionally, you can charge it with 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels in 3.5 hours, and if unavailable, a car battery or a wall outlet will suffice well.
Here’s a list of appliances you can power with Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro:
- Refrigerator (900W): 2.8H
- Heater (1800W): 1.4H
- Microwave (960W): 2.7H
- Mobile Phone (30W): 85.6H
- Light (5W): 514.08H
- Air Conditioner-Window (1050W): 2.4H
Customer Review:
“This Generator is a game changer. The battery lasts for hours. Solar panels work great and can be used ANYWHERE.”- Kenny Barrett.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a bit smaller than Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro but has a battery capacity decent enough to power up 99% of household appliances. It’s a versatile charging solution that can be expanded with the help of Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus if new appliances further add up. It means you don’t have to worry about your overbearing electric bills again.
Here’s a list of appliances you can power with Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus:
- Refrigerator (900W): 1.9H
- Clothes Dryer (1500W) : 1.15H
- Microwave (960W): 1.8H
- Mobile Phone (30W): 57.8H
- Light (5W): 347.2H
- Air Conditioner-Window (1050W): 1.65H
Customer Review
“Very good quality, the battery lasts a very long time. Very easy to move around with the built-in tires. Love the upgradeability. The best solar generator I have ever had.” — Marc.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) has a massive battery capacity, so most of your appliances run less on electricity coming from the grids, and thereby, you pay less on the bills. This portable solar battery backup is a great solution to power up most of your heavy appliances during peak hours, which, in turn, saves a lot on electric bills. And for apartments, condos, and tiny homes, the charge might last for a week.
Here’s a list of appliances you can power with Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh):
- Refrigerator (900W): 3.8H
- Clothes Dryer (1500W): 2.3H
- Microwave (960W): 3.6H
- Mobile Phone (30W): 115.75H
- Light (5W): 694.5H
- Air Conditioner-Window (1050W): 3.3H
How to Cut Electric Bill in Summer?
As we move through the final months of summer, battered by heat waves, we tend to run more appliances and, in turn, higher electric bills. Here are a few tips to reduce your electric bills in summer:
Use a Ceiling Fan
The first tip is to use a ceiling fan, which uses much less power than an air conditioner and can cool down your room as much as effectively. In turn, they save up to 40% on electricity. If the heat is too much to bear, you can use it in conjunction with air conditioning, adjust your thermostat, remain comfortable, and save on the bill simultaneously.
Spend Time Outdoors
In the evenings during summer, the weather is pretty pleasant outside, so you can grab a carpet, some food, and spend some quality time with your friends. During this time, all your appliances, like air conditioners, lights, and others, are switched off and not raking up your bills.
Replace your AC Filter
AC filters are meant to ensure the optimal functioning of the cooling system, but over time, dirt and other debris deposits can build up. This reduces airflow and its overall efficiency, thereby consuming more electricity to keep your house cool. So it’s important to clean your filter regularly, at least once every 90 days.
How to Cut Electric Bill in Winter?
Similar to summer, electric bills often shoot up in winter, when people turn on their heating appliances to combat the chilly weather. Here are a few tips to reduce your expenses:
Use a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are a great way to save your electric bills. Powered by WiFi, they automatically adjust the cooling and heating temperature in your home according to your preferences. They work even when you’re not at home, and you can adjust their settings from anywhere. Although these are a touch costly, you might be eligible for rebates some states give out to conserve energy.
Insulate Your Home
One way to keep yourself warm in chilly weather is to prevent cold air from entering your home. Proper insulation is a great way to do that. Install seals and weather stripping around your doors and windows to lock the air outside, and check your basement and attic for any air leaks.
Use Blankets
Keep the thermostat temperature down at night by 10-15 degrees, and use blankets when you sleep to save up to 10% on electric bills. Besides, you can also use electric blankets that don’t consume much electricity but keep you warm.
How to Cut Electric Bill by 75% FAQs
What size of solar generator do I need for my house?
Solar generators are a great way to cut down your electric bills, but their exact size depends on the number of appliances you power and for how long.
Let’s say you’re charging a mini-refrigerator (500W), coffee maker (450W), and incandescent lights (50W) simultaneously with Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus.
Working Time = Capacity in Wh × 0.85 / Operating wattage of the appliances = 2042.8Wh × 0.85 / 1000W = 1.7H
Note: Multiplication with 0.85 is done to denote some power loss during charging appliances.
What is one simple trick to cut your electric bill by up to 90%?
Going solar completely is a great way to cut your electric bill by up to 90%.
What runs your electric bill up the most?
Cooling (air conditioners, refrigerators) and heating appliances (heaters, dryers) increase your electric bill the most.
How to lower electricity usage?
The best way to lower electricity usage is to reduce dependence on the electric grid and adopt solar energy as the power source. Also, unplugging unused electronics drastically reduces your electricity usage.
What is the best electricity-saving device?
Solar generators are the best electricity-saving devices available.
Reduce Electric Bills by 75% or More
We hope you got the answers on how to cut the electric bill by 75 percent. A little bit of effort from your side, and you’ll see a considerable decline in numbers in the next few months. Making lifestyle changes, bringing more efficient appliances, and using smart strips are to name a few. But the best way is to reduce your dependence on the electric grid and treat yourself to reliable Jackery Solar Generators. These can power most of your household appliances, and the result is much lower electric bills.
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