Life is impossible without utilities. They guarantee that your home runs smoothly and is cozy and livable. However, utilities can be expensive for tenants, landlords, and homeowners. Let’s read How Much Should A Family Of 3 Be Paying For Electricity?
EnergyStar.gov says the median American household spends $2,060 on residential utility bills annually. Several elements, such as the size and condition of your living space, the local climate, and usage habits, determine the amount you pay.
For instance, places subject to climate extremes may see increased air conditioning and heating equipment use. Utility rates may rise in locations with higher infrastructure and transportation expenses.
How Much Should A Family Of 3 Be Paying For Electricity?
The average monthly household energy bill for Americans was $117.46 in 2020, up from $115 in 2019, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. However, several elements, like location and house size, will impact how much your electric bills will cost.
We’ll give you all the information you require regarding the typical cost of your electricity bills. A financial advisor can help you with every part of your financial life if you’re seeking ways to save so that you may achieve your financial goals.
The Average Electric Bill
According to the Energy Information Administration, the average home energy bill in the United States in 2020 was $117.46. (EIA). Your location significantly influenced the price you paid.
While the mountain region paid an average of $104.78, the Pacific Noncontiguous zone, which includes Alaska and Hawaii, paid an average of $146.84. All other areas differed from one to the next. Hawaii had the highest average price, coming in at $162.66, while Utah had the lowest average bill at $80.24.
Electric bills often increase from the North to the South and from the West Coast to the East Coast. You can anticipate a more considerable electric cost if you reside in an area with more cooling-degree days than those without. For instance, Utah uses more solar panels than many other states due to its abundance of sunshine, which helps to reduce its average bill.
Prices differ according to consumption levels in each state as well. Louisiana was the state that consumed the most in 2020. From 9.67 cents per kilowatt-hour (including in Louisiana) to 22.71 cents per kilowatt-hour, the cost of using energy in the U.S. in 2020. (Connecticut).
How Can I Budget For My Electric Bill?
A common budgeting strategy is the 50/30/20 rule, which advises users to allocate 50% of their monthly after-tax income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt repayment. Users of the technique would devote 50% of their income to essential utilities, electricity, and other requirements like food, shelter, and transportation. Electricity is regarded as a “need.”
For a person making $2,500 a month, the split might be as follows:
- $1,250 would go towards groceries, internet, rent, utilities (including electricity), and other necessities.
- $750.00 for a friend’s meal and new clothes.
- $500 for savings and credit card repayment.
What Factors Affect The Price Of Utilities?
The following elements may impact the typical cost of household utilities:
- Your residence: If you live in a temperate environment, your utility bills will be lower because you won’t need as much heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer.
- Your resource usage: The average cost of your utilities depends on how much power and gas you use. Keeping the thermostat at 72 degrees in the winter will cost you more than lowering it to 68 degrees. You’ll also spend less if you turn down the heat when you’re away.
- One practical strategy to control your home utility usage is installing a smart thermostat. You can examine your weekly or monthly consumption history on many of these smartphone-controlled devices, which helps you understand how frequently your heating and cooling systems are on and off. This makes it easier to spot opportunities to decrease or raise your thermostat at specific periods of the day—or turn the system off entirely—to save money.
- Your home’s energy efficiency: Windows and insulation significantly impact a home’s average utility costs. Energy can quickly escape without insulation or correctly placed windows to prevent that air transfer. Old, single-pane windows can also let heat escape and be draughty.
- Size of your residence A 2,500-square-foot home will cost more heat, calm, and light than a 1,400-square-foot home. It’s crucial to take the home’s layout into account. For instance, homes with more divided zones typically cost more to heat and cool than those with open floor designs. When a room is unoccupied and not in need of heating or cooling, it is frequently possible to close vents or doors.
Non-Energy-Related Utilities And Their Expenses
- Of course, electricity prices involve more than just energy. How much do utilities cost where there is no energy?
- Trash/recycling: Recycling and trash collection at the curb are frequently included in city or town costs. Independent payors, meanwhile, should set aside $10 to $40 every month.
- Water: In 2016, American households spent, on average, $15–$77 per month on water, according to the environmental research organization Circle of Blue.
- Landline: Since so many people use mobile phones, landlines are less standard. However, if you want one or need one for internet access, you should be prepared to pay $15 to $45 per month; the higher price includes long-distance services. Voiceover I.P. service packages, which range in price from $20 to $30 per month depending on the number of minutes you purchase in your VoIP plan, are another choice if you make phone calls over the internet.
- Internet/cable/phone: The average monthly cost of a triple bundle that includes internet, cable, and phone services is $165; without the phone, the average monthly cost is $132. Alternatives to paying for cable include online media streaming services, which typically cost $10 a month versus $60 for an essential cable subscription.
How To Save Money On Utilities?
Take into account the following ideas to reduce energy costs:
Appliances account for about 13% of a home’s energy costs. Always search for the Energy Star label when purchasing new models. Appliances with the Energy Star label are more energy efficient than or equal to government minimum requirements.
For instance, a modern refrigerator with the Energy Star certification uses 40% less energy than one from 2001 and at least 15% less energy than one without the label. You may compare appliance energy prices because Energy Star appliances display their annual energy consumption on their packaging.
Windows: Because warm air escapes via old or leaky windows, heating expenses can increase by 10% to 25%. Think about adding storm windows or switching to double-pane windows in the winter.
Lighting: About 12% of a home’s energy budget is spent on lighting, so switching to energy-efficient bulbs and turning lights off when, not in use will help you save money. Another choice to cut energy costs is to switch to smart lighting. Use your smartphone to remotely turn off the smart bulbs to prevent them from running while you are away if you leave the house and forget to turn off the lights.
How To Reduce Your Electricity Costs?
There are a few strategies to reduce your power bill if you believe it to be too high:
- Utilize tools and appliances effectively: Utilize energy comparison sites such as power to choose corpus christi to help you compare energy suppliers with the best rates. Maximize the use of your appliances and devices to reduce energy consumption. Consider using cold water instead of hot or warm water and starting your dishwasher and washing machine only when fully loaded. Additionally, try combining them in a shorter period to avoid the dryer cooling down in between loads.
- Purchase smart power strips: Some technologies continue to use energy even after being turned off. According to some experts, these technologies use between 3% and 10% of the energy used in homes. A smart power strip turns off the electricity to devices when not in use.
- Request an energy audit or a home performance evaluation. Have a local expert visit your home to offer advice on how to reduce your energy usage, become more energy efficient, find comfort problems, look over your bills, and evaluate the safety of your home. To locate someone, check with utility companies and Energy Star, a label for energy efficiency approved by the government.
Conclusion
I have explained How Much Should A Family Of 3 Be Paying For Electricity? Over the past few years, the average energy bill has significantly grown (from $111.67 in 2017 to $117.46 in 2020).
According to the data, if you don’t take action to reduce your bill, the average power costs for homes nationwide should continue to grow in the foreseeable future. Your electric cost can be decreased by choosing renewable energy sources, consciously unplugging everything that isn’t in use, and adopting other energy-saving behaviors.
