How Your Routine Affects Your Electric Bill

It’s common for people to look at their electric bill and wonder where all the charges came from. This may also lead them to question how mindful their energy habits are. Have you ever wondered how your daily routine affects your power bill? From how you spend your free time to when you do chores, your lifestyle has a major impact on your energy charges.

Are You an Early Riser or a Night Owl?

Depending on your power provider and the season, certain times of the day will have higher rates because the demand for electricity is higher (peak hours). On the other hand, certain times of the day will have lower rates because the electricity demand is lower (off-peak hours). These are called time-of-use rates. This means that the times of day that you’re up and active can affect how much you’re charged per kilowatt-hour. Take a look at your power provider’s time-of-use rates and figure out how you can take advantage of off-peak hours based on your routine.

Are You an Onsite or Remote Worker?

As a general rule, the more time you spend inside your home, the more energy you consume. If your job is onsite, your energy consumption will likely be lower, since you’re not home to use appliances, electronics or lights throughout the day. On the other hand, if you’re a remote worker, you tend to use more energy because you’re at home using electronics, turning on lights and changing the thermostat settings. 

The same is true for students. An online student often ends up using more electricity than one who commutes to school. If you spend time at home for work or school, look for ways to reduce your energy consumption by practicing mindful habits.

Do You Enjoy Indoor or Outdoor Activities?

Similar to the point above, a lot of your home’s energy consumption relies on how much time you spend inside. If you’re more of an outdoorsy person who spends their free time enjoying outdoor activities or participating in community events, then your energy consumption will likely be lower. If you’re someone who prefers to spend a lot of their free time inside, relaxing on the couch and binge-watching your favorite TV series or movies, then your power consumption will likely be higher.

When and How Do You Do Chores?

Beyond day-to-day tasks like taking a shower and getting ready for the day, time-of-use rates are important to keep in mind when doing chores, especially if you’re using large appliances. It’s a good idea to save your chores for off-peak hours, since doing chores tends to use a lot of electricity. 

Any heat-producing appliances, like stoves and dryers, should be used mindfully. When you cook or meal prep, try to use countertop appliances, if possible, since they’re smaller and use less energy. When doing laundry, wash your clothes with cool water and dry them on low heat. You can even try air-drying clothes to save even more electricity. When washing the dishes, be mindful of how you load dishes in the dishwasher and avoid using the heated-dry setting.

Are You Mindful of Your Energy Habits Throughout the Day?

There are many points throughout our day where we may be unconsciously hiking up our energy bill due to our habits. Even something as simple as not minimizing standby power can cause your usage to spike. Take inventory of your energy habits by asking yourself questions like:

• Do I leave lights and electronics on throughout the day, even when I’m no longer in the room?
• Do I crank the thermostat up and down throughout the day, instead of using ceiling fans?
• Do I leave the blinds and curtains open, allowing the outdoor temperatures to creep in and causing my AC unit to have to work harder?
• Am I using a programmable or smart thermostat, smart power strips, and LED smart bulbs to minimize my electricity usage?

Your answers will help you identify areas in your routine where you can practice more mindful energy habits and, ultimately, reduce your energy consumption and lower your power bill.

Now that you know how your lifestyle and daily routine impact your energy consumption, you can make more informed decisions to lower your usage and unlock savings. Pronto Power is a Texas electric company that’s dedicated to helping its customers maintain control over their budget by allowing them to monitor their consumption in real time. Learn more about our prepaid power plans or call us at (844) 621-2852 to get started!