What is costing me so much electricity?

Q: I just opened my electric bill, and my jaw dropped. It’s way higher than ever! I called the electric company to see if there had been a mistake, but I was assured there wasn’t. Why is my electric bill so high? What am I doing that’s using so much electricity?

A: Receiving a startlingly high electric bill has happened to most of us at one time or another, and it’s never a pleasant experience. According to Energy Star, a program run in part by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the typical household spends “more than $2,000 a year on energy bills.” Of that amount, approximately 29 percent goes to heat a home, and the rest is divided between cooling costs and the cost to operate appliances and electronics.

There’s no single fix for how to lower your electric bill, but keeping an eye on notoriously energy-hogging appliances and using a smart thermostat can keep you from wondering, “Why is my electric bill so high?” Keep reading to find out what could be going on in your home that’s causing your electric bill to skyrocket and what you can do to save on electrical bills moving forward.

In the past few months, many households have seen an increase in their electrical bills, due in large part to supply issues and the rising price of natural gas. The U.S. relies on natural gas for about 40 percent of the country’s electrical power, and those who live in regions where electric and gas services are connected are likely to feel the biggest pinch in the wallet. Even though what’s “normal” in pandemic times isn’t exactly in line with what’s been normal historically, it’s still important to check your energy bill against the typical electric bill for your area.

To get a clearer picture of how much your electric bill has gone up, look back at the past year’s bills to find out how much the average electric bill was for your home based this time last year. Then, research online resources like SaveOnEnergy or the U.S. Energy Information Administration and compare their data with your household’s bills. To learn the estimated costs of running various appliances based on the electricity rates in your state, check out the Appliance Energy Calculator on energy.gov.

If you’re wondering what uses the most electricity in a home, an electric furnace is usually the culprit, at least it is in regions with cold winter weather. As cold weather settles in, homeowners and renters rely on furnaces to keep their homes cozy and warm, but electric furnaces are notoriously expensive to operate and are often the cause of an abnormally high electric bill in winter. Though energy rates vary by state, the cost of electricity is typically higher than that of natural gas or propane. This is why you’ll usually get a high electric bill once you start turning on the heat.

A furnace works harder to draw air through a clogged filter than it does through a clean one. Regularly changing or cleaning filters will reduce the furnace’s runtime, which should in turn lower your electric bill during the winter. The frequency with which furnace filters need to be changed depends on the size and type of filter you have, along with your household’s habits. If you have a pack of furry friends leaving dander all over the house, for example, or you’re in the middle of a renovation that’s drumming up a lot of dust, your filters will need to be changed more frequently than usual.

If the weatherstripping around windows or doors is cracked or peeling, conditioned air may be leaking outside. The less cool air is kept indoors, the harder the furnace has to work to keep the temperature down. Simply caulking drafty windows and installing new weatherstripping on exterior doors and windows can help keep warm air in and cold air out, and reduce how often your furnace runs.

The average useful life of a fridge is around 10 to 17 years, but after 8 to 10 years, the door seals can begin to wear out. The worn areas can allow cool air to leak out of the refrigerated compartment, which results in the fridge working overtime to keep perishable foods cold. Other components, such as the motor and the compressor, can also wear down over time, becoming less efficient and running for longer periods of time.

Replacing door seals, which you can buy from the appliance manufacturer, can help seal cool air in the fridge. Having the unit inspected yearly and maintained by a professional appliance technician will also help keep it in good running order. Appliance technicians charge $50 to $150 per hour and will usually complete an annual service call in an hour or less. The cost of hiring a technician may pay for itself within a few months.

RELATED: These Are the Biggest Electricity Hogs in Your Home

Many homeowners like to keep a spare refrigerator or deep freezer in a basement or garage but according to EnergyStar.gov, this extra appliance increases your electric bill by about $125 per year. To get a better idea of how much your extra fridge or freezer costs to operate, use the formula on Energy Star’s Flip Your Fridge Calculator.

If you decide to keep the extra refrigerator, make sure it’s full, even if you have to fill jugs with water to store on the shelves. When a fridge or freezer is fully stocked it maintains its temperature more easily, and the motor and compressor run less. If your spare fridge or freezer isn’t full, consider whether you really need it.

When you purchase a water heater, it often comes with the temperature preset to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Department of Energy, however, a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit is plenty hot enough for most households.

By turning the water heater’s thermostat down 20 degrees, you can save between 6 percent and 10 percent on your water heating expenses. In addition, if your water heater is located in a basement or a garage, it will have to work overtime to keep the water in the tank hot when the surrounding air temps are cool. If this is the case, you might want to consider insulating it with a water heater blanket, such as the Reflective Foil Hot Water Insulating Kit.

With energy averaging $0.12 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) (rates vary by locality), drying a load of laundry every day would add $122.20 to your annual electric bill, as the Appliance Energy Calculator shows. Just by hanging half of the loads on a clothesline (when the weather is good), you can save about $60 on your annual electric bills.

Between 2012 and 2014, new regulations took effect that required light bulbs to use 25 percent less energy. If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, consider switching to high-efficiency CFL or LED bulbs; the average household could save up to $225 per year on light bills by making this easy substitution. When buying light bulbs, look for the Energy Star logo on the package to ensure you’re buying energy-efficient bulbs. This simple switch can help you save on electric bills year round.

Peak hours are specific hours during the day when your utility company charges more for electricity. These are the hours during which the demand for electricity is the highest, so utility companies discourage use by charging higher prices during this time in order to help conserve energy.

For example, a utility company might charge $0.12/kWh, but during summertime peak hours between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., it might increase the cost of using electricity to $0.24/kWh—double the regular rate. Call your electric company to ask if it’s currently charging a peak hour rate.

RELATED: 14 Secrets of People With Low Energy Bills

Though uncommon, an unexplained spike in your electric bill could be a sign that someone’s tapping into your electricity. Thieves stealing electricity is more common in apartment buildings and duplexes than it is in neighborhoods with single-family homes, and it can easily double an electrical bill.

Here’s a quick test you can do to determine whether someone’s pilfering your power: Shut off the main breaker at your electric meter, and then watch the meter. If the meter numbers continue to climb, electricity is going somewhere besides your home. Notify your utility company, and it’ll send out a tech to trace the electricity.

If you’re serious about reducing your high electric and light bill, unplug computers, printers, televisions, and other items when not in use. Newer electronics often enter a standby mode when you turn them off, but they’re still drawing a trickle of electricity.

By going into standby mode, the electronics will power up quickly when you turn them back on, but if you won’t be using them for several hours, conserve electricity by making a habit of unplugging them. You may find that you don’t mind waiting a few minutes when you turn them back on in exchange for a lower electric bill.

Did you know there’s actually a device to lower your electric bill? If you suspect one of your appliances is using excessive amounts of electricity, find out for sure with a wattage tester, such as the Poniie Watt Tester. Simply plug your appliance into the tester, plug the tester into the outlet, and then run the appliance as usual for 24 hours. The wattage tester will record the appliance’s electrical usage over a 24-hour period. Multiply the results by 365 (the number of days in a year), and then compare the number to the annual estimated electrical usage for the same appliance on the Appliance Energy Calculator.

Instead of wondering and worrying about why your electric bill is so high, take action to determine the causes. Aging appliances, overdue maintenance on appliances and windows or doors, and running extra appliances that are no longer needed are among the top three culprits that cause high energy bills.

There is a lot to consider when figuring out why an electric bill is suddenly higher. From changes in the cost of electricity to energy leaks and worn appliances, there can be many different causes. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about how to lower your energy bill.

The average electric bill for a 3-bedroom home varies based on the climate, season, and local economy. Since the average electricity cost is about 12.07 cents per kilowatt hour, and the typical 3-bedroom home uses nearly 1,000 kWh per month, the average monthly cost is about $120.70.

Yes, unplugging an appliance can save nearly 10 percent on an electric bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The HVAC system uses the most electricity in a home.

There’s no denying that when a particularly high electricity bill arrives it can be an unwelcome surprise. With inflation at a decade high of 4.3% and living expenses on the rise, we’re all looking for ways to save energy at home.

However, there is no need to restrict everyone in the household from how long they use devices or watch TV. These are all small changes you can make in your home that will help reduce the amount of electricity you use.

We’ve identified the six root causes that will help with answering 'why is my electricity bill so high' – from relying on estimated bills rather than providing smart meter readings, to appliances that guzzle energy when they’re not being used. Here’s everything you need to know to reduce your electricity bill.

Are you lax at providing your energy supplier with meter readings? If this is the case then your energy provider will be issuing you with estimated bills. It works out the energy usage it expects based on the size of your home and previous usage. However, this may well be more than than the actual figures.

Consider getting a smart meter. They automatically send meter readings straight to your provider with an accurate figure for your usage. These are free and you can request one from your energy provider.

Alternatively, diarise regular meter readings. Once a month is plenty – and ensure you send these to your supplier through its website or app. Contact your supplier and check how far in advance you need to provide a reading before your bill is prepared.

Some electrical devices still use energy even if they’re in standby mode. Known as vampire devices, research by British Gas revealed that this could be adding an average of £110 to your home’s electricity bill every year - and could be part of the reason it’s so high.

Common vampire devices include:

Standby mode is convenient as it means the appliances will turn on almost instantly when you want them. However, it's also pricey, so we recommend turning appliances off at the electrical socket rather than using standby mode to ensure you won't be asking 'why is my electricity bill so high' as much.

Similarly, ensure you unplug laptop and phone chargers rather than leaving them connected to your electrical socket.

If you want to know what the worst culprits are, then make sure you pick yourself up an energy monitoring plug, available from Amazon.

If you find electrical sockets are in hard to reach locations, such as behind furniture, consider investing in an extension lead, which will ensure the switches are more accessible.

Alternatively, smart plugs that turn off from your smartphone are another option. Try the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi socket plug, £9.49 at Amazon. However, it’s worth noting that if you switch a set-top box off at the wall outlet, it won’t be able to record any programmes you have scheduled. In this case you’ll need to leave your set-top box in standby mode.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, older appliances all use more electricity than modern, more efficient models. Of course, while it doesn’t make financial sense to rush out and replace all of your appliances with new iterations, when you do come to replace an item, paying attention to the energy label and seeing if you can choose one of the more efficient options that meets your needs, will help you to hopefully think 'why is my electricity bill so high' less often.

Common dated appliances that drink electricity include:

For example, vented tumble dryers are the cheapest option on the market when it comes to an appliance that can dry your clothes. But, they’re also the most energy inefficient. Heat pump tumble dryers use the least electricity (around 50% less than vented tumble dryers) and they’re more expensive to purchase initially.

You might also be surprised how much light bulbs cost to run. While halogen bulbs have now been banned from sale in the UK, you may still have these energy-inefficient bulbs in your home. Consider swapping them for LED variants. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you could shave between £2 to £3 per year off your electricity bill for every bulb you switch. Also get into the habit of switching lights off when you leave a room, as it will also help reduce bills.

Do you set the dishwasher going at the end of the day even if it’s only half full, or perhaps you put the washing machine on even if it's not a full load? While it might seem a convenient practice, with how much energy a dishwasher costs to run they’re actually part of the answer to 'why is my electricity bill so high'. The appliances still heat the same amount of water regardless of whether they are full or not. The same is true when you boil a full kettle of water, even if you’re only making one cup of tea.

Most washing machines, and some dishwashers, have a half-load function. In the case of washing machines this means it reduces the amount of water used, and will therefore require less electricity to heat it.

Meanwhile, when dishwashers have a half load function, the jets to either the top or bottom rack are turned off and again require less water to be heated using less electricity.

Try to get in the habit of leaving the kettle empty, and then only adding the amount of water you need to boil. This will mean there’s no water left sitting in your kettle, it helps reduce limescale build-up if you live in a hard water area too.

While there will be times when you need to wash at high temperatures, chances are most of the time your washing machine is set on a 40 degree cycle. However, by reducing this to 30 degrees you can reduce the amount of electricity your washing machine uses per cycle by 40%, says the Energy Saving Trust.

Ever-increasing electricity bills are a great source of frustration and economic insecurity. In 2020 alone, 27% of US households reported they had trouble paying their electric bill while also reporting to have kept their homes at an unsafe temperature. According to the US Department of Energy, heating and cooling make up about 43% of a home’s utility bills.

With the extreme changes in the climate, it seems like no matter what you do, you can’t keep up with the skyrocketing electric bills. However, don’t lose hope just yet! There is a lot you can do to lower your electric bill. For example, switching to a smart thermostat or smart AC controller for automated heating/cooling can save you a lot on bills.

Read ahead to find out why your electric bill is so high and how you can get it under control. With these handy tips, you’ll be saving big bucks in no time!

While you may think you’re doing all you can to save electricity, you may have picked up some unfavorable habits over the years that are making your electricity bill skyrocket.

Air conditioning costs account for 17% of total home electricity expenditures. In more humid climates, this figure increases to 27%. Neglecting maintenance can make this number grow exponentially. For example, if your AC filters are blocked, your air conditioner will have to work harder to provide the same level of cooling, thus consuming more electricity. Luckily, Cielo Breez smart AC controllers can help you keep track of air filter cleanliness by sending timely reminders. Moreover, regular AC maintenance will also save you expensive repairs down the line.

Here’s a handy HVAC maintenance checklist.

If you’ve been wondering why your electricity bill is so high despite limiting your usage, look at when you consume the most electricity. Electric companies charge higher rates during peak times to limit excess energy consumption. Therefore, if your electric bill is still too high, you can save your electricity bill by not using the electronics at the same time as everyone else!

In summers, peak hours are usually between noon and 6 p.m, when everyone is blasting their aircon units at full. Simply limiting usage during this time, or running your AC at a higher temperature, can make a difference and help you lower your electric bill.

Other than the aircon unit, avoid using the washing machine, vacuum, dishwasher, and other appliances at peak hours to keep your energy consumption in check.

Windows and doors are major sources of air leaks. Even when your walls are well-insulated, if the weatherstripping or caulking on your doors and windows has worn out, your air conditioner or heater will struggle to do its job properly. As a result, it’ll have to work overtime, leading to an increased electric bill.

Before you start loading up on caulk and weatherstripping, it’s important to know exactly where the air leaks are. Read this handy blog on finding and fixing air leaks to ensure your electricity bills stay as low as possible.

Here’s our detailed guide on window insulation.

Inadequate insulation could also be the reason why your electric bill is so high. As a general rule, heat travels from areas with a higher temperature to areas with a lower temperature. Consequently, indoor heat is trying to escape outdoors in the winter. As a result, your air conditioner struggles to maintain a cooler temperature during the summer, and your heater struggles to maintain a warmer temperature during the winter.

Proper insulation prevents heat transfer through conduction, convection, and radiation – making it easier for your air conditioner to maintain your desired temperature. Your AC no longer has to run overtime to heat or cool the room. This saves energy and prevents a high electric bill.

If you’re convinced about the benefits of insulation but have no idea where or how to get started, read our 101 guide to home insulation.

Most people only occupy 1-2 rooms at a time. However, they still turn on the air conditioning for the entire house. This is a massive waste of electricity and leads to excessive bills. To get around this dilemma, you can create HVAC zones. HVAC zones use dampers to let you divide your house into zones and set a different temperature for each. Your AC will no longer have to work unnecessarily to cool your entire home.

Old air conditioners use a shocking amount of electricity. An average air conditioner can last for 10-15 years. After that, as they get older, individual parts, such as the compressor, become less efficient. Older compressors use considerably more electricity. As Energy Star regulations become stricter, newer air conditioners have a much higher EER and SEER rating than older ones.

Apart from air conditioners, older appliances, such as refrigerators or washing machines, can be massive energy hogs. Natural wear and tear decrease the efficiency of older appliances, and they have to run overtime and draw excess electricity. As technology improves, newer appliances are becoming more efficient. An old refrigerator consumes 35% more energy than an Energy Star certified refrigerator. Get rid of appliances when they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. If you don’t, you’ll spend more on expensive electricity bills.

Many people like to keep a spare fridge in the basement, unaware that it could be why their electric bill is so high. However, even if you’re not using your extra fridge, it consumes energy if plugged in. If your spare fridge is mostly empty, consider if you need it at all. If you must keep an extra fridge, ensure it is always full of something, or unplug it.

So the next time you wonder why your energy bill is so high, look at the spare fridge lying in the basement and consider flipping it.

Your water heater’s temperature could be why your electric bill is so high. Water heaters account for 14-18% of your total utility bill. Thus, you can save a lot on your total electricity bill if you cut down on water heater costs. But unfortunately, most households keep their water heater at a higher temperature than required.

Most water heaters come with a preset temperature of 140F. However, experts say you can safely set them to a temperature of 120F. Setting your water heater at a lower temperature will reduce energy consumption and prevent scalding injuries!

Another ingenious method of saving money on your water heater bill is insulating it with a water heater blanket. This will prevent heat loss, and the water heater will not have to work hard to maintain the desired temperature.

Using the dryer for every load of clothes is a major cause of high electricity bills. A simple clothesline can make a drastic difference if you want to lower your electric bill. Each hour of using a dryer costs anywhere between 24 and 72 cents. So if you use your dryer for every load of laundry, the cost can quickly add up. To avoid these costs, whenever the weather is good, skip on the dryer and hang the clothes outside to dry. Your wallet will thank you!

If you’re still using incandescent light bulbs, they could be the main culprit behind your high electric bill. Incandescent light bulbs consume a lot of energy compared to LED bulbs. It is estimated that the average household could save $225 per year by switching to LED bulbs. Not only are LEDs cheaper, but they are also very long-lasting. Once you invest in them, you won’t have to change your lightbulbs for years. So what are you waiting for? Make the switch now!

Appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines are notorious energy hogs. Apart from their energy consumption, they also need loads of hot water, thus increasing your water heater usage. Fortunately, saving money on washing machines and dishwashers is very easy. You just need to be a bit more responsible. For example, never run your dishwasher for a small load of dishes. Instead, wait for it to fill up completely, then run it at the end of the day.

You also don’t need to run your washing machine every day. Instead, keep a designated day or two to do the entire week’s laundry. These simple and easy steps will greatly help you lower your electric bill.

Apart from addressing the root causes of a high electric bill, there are a few additional steps you can take to reduce your bill even further.

Heating and cooling costs make up a big chunk of your total electricity bill. Smart air conditioning controls can help you get AC costs under control through useful features such as geofencing, humidity and temperature triggers, usage tracking, etc. Cielo Breez smart AC controllers can help you save up to 25% on heating and cooling costs.

Many modern-day energy appliances don’t shut down when given the command. Instead, they enter standby mode so they can power up quickly the next time you need to use them. The problem is that if you leave these devices plugged in, they will continue drawing energy. Over time, this energy usage adds up, leading to sky-high electric bills. So the next time you’re wondering why your electric bill is so high, walk around your house and look for any unused devices still plugged in.

Many people believe that lights and fans don’t use much energy, so they don’t bother turning them off when they exit the room. However, if you routinely leave ceiling fans and lights on, you will have a high electricity bill. So make it a habit to check any lights and ceiling fans when you leave a room. You will notice a difference in your electricity bill soon enough.

If you think an appliance consumes excess electricity, a watt meter or electricity usage monitor is your best friend. An electricity usage monitor helps you determine how much electricity an appliance uses.

Plug the monitor into an outlet, and then plug your appliance into the monitor. Then, run the appliance for 24 hours. The monitor will tell you its electricity consumption for 24 hours. Multiply that figure by 365 to get an idea of your yearly cost.

An electricity usage monitor can help you understand why your electricity bill is so high and where you need to reduce usage.

Turns out, always keeping your fridge full of food can actually be good for your wallet! Food acts as insulation and helps your fridge keep food items cold. Every time you open the fridge door, you introduce warm air into it. If you already have a lot of chilled food items in your fridge, they will retain cold air and that warm air will have less of an effect. On the other hand, if your fridge is always empty, the large amount of warm air that enters every time you open it has more of an impact and it has to work harder to keep cool.

If you already follow all the tips given in this article, yet your electricity bill has suddenly skyrocketed, there could be a few reasons:

If your bill is suddenly higher than usual, an electricity leak could be to blame. An electricity leak occurs when electricity flows to the earth through the earth wire, usually due to faulty wiring. An electric leak can be expensive and dangerous. If you turn off the main breaker for your house and your electric meter is still showing electricity consumption, you may have a leak. If you suspect a leak, contact a licensed electrician immediately. Do not attempt to fix it yourself as you can get a nasty electric shock.

A sudden unexplained increase in your electricity bill could be caused by pilferage. Switching off the main breaker is a simple and easy way to determine if someone is stealing your electricity. Contact the power company immediately if your electric meter continues showing electricity usage. They will send a technician to resolve the issue.

Your electricity bill may sometimes increase for reasons not under your control. If there is overall inflation in the country, naturally, your electric bill will also increase. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do in this situation. However, you can be even more diligent about not wasting electricity and reducing your consumption as much as possible.

Heaters use the most energy in a home. They account for the highest percentage of a home’s total electricity consumption. Water heaters and cooling appliances are the second and third biggest consumers of residential electricity, respectively.

Yes, unplugging appliances does save electricity. The average American household has 40 products constantly drawing energy. Combined, these can amount to 10% of total residential electricity use.