Make Up for High Pandemic Bills With Wise Energy Use

MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES | ISTOCK.COM

You zoomed, you teleworked, you ate dinner at home every night, and you stayed in on weekends. And you have your energy bill as proof.

Americans spent 10% more on energy at home from april to July 2020 than they did during those same months during pre-pandemic years, according to a report from the National Bureau of economic research. That trend remained fairly steady through the lockdown months.

That’s about to change. With businesses open again and many workers back in their offices, energy use could gradually shift back to normal.

That means homeowners have a chance to make up for some of the energy-heavy months they spent at home.
While you’re spending more time away from home, set your thermostat a few degrees higher to save a little energy while the house is empty. draw the blinds on especially hot days to stop the sun’s heat from warming up your rooms. Run appliances that produce heat after dark.

Those small energy-saving steps could help your “back-to-normal” energy bill drop even more once your family returns to its regular routine.