Going solar is a great way to fix and avoid high utility bills. But even without solar (or with it), there are some utility bill “hacks” that you can use to get your electric bill under control. Some of these hacks are free, some cost money. Thankfully, there may be subsidies available to you that can reduce the cost of those utility bill hacks that cost money.
Learn how your utility company bills you for power
The first step in fixing and avoiding high utility bills is knowing how you are being billed. Some utility companies offer multiple rate plans. With your utility bill in hand, compare their rate plans to the plan you are currently on. You may find a rate plan that gives you a better rate than the one you’re paying now. If you prefer to manage when you use power, you may be able to save money by switching to Time-of-Use billing. Remember, if you let your utility choose your rate plan, they may not choose the best plan for you.
Sometimes when you use power affects how much you pay for it
Some utility companies bill you for using Time-of-Use (TOU) billing. With TOU billing, how much you pay for power depends on when you use the power. If you are billed for power on a TOU rate plan, you should try to minimize your power usage during peak rates. Oftentimes, peak rates are in the evening hours. Consider waiting till morning to do things like laundry so you use power during off-peak rates. If you own an EV or plug-in hybrid, make sure you set it up to charge during off-peak hours.
EVs and Plug-in Hybrids may be eligible for reduced rates and carbon credits
In California and Nevada, if you own an electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid you may be eligible for reduced utility rates and carbon tax credits. In Colorado, eligible EV and plug-in hybrid owners are eligible for a state tax credit that can reduce the price of buying or leasing an eligible car. Arizona owners of eligible EVs and plug-in hybrids may be eligible for reduced utility rates if they are served by a utility that offers them. The Salt River Project and Tuscon Electric Power both offer reduced off-peak Time-of-Use rates that reduce the cost of charging an EV.
State incentives for energy-efficient appliances
A smart way to fix and avoid high utility bills is to install new energy-efficient appliances. Some states including Arizona, Nevada, and California, utility companies offer rebates or other incentives that reduce the cost of buying energy-efficient appliances. There are lots of incentive programs available. To find incentives available in your state, visit the DSIRE website. Once there, you’ll see a map of the US. Click on your state to get a list of state incentives for buying energy-efficient appliances, EV incentives, solar energy incentives and more.
Of course, you can fix and avoid high utility bills by going solar
If you regularly get electric bills of over $100, then you could save money by going solar. Combine the money-saving measures described in this article with a solar power system to permanently fix and avoid high utility bills. Freedom Forever can help. Our financing partners have products available for FICO scores as low as 600. You can go solar with confidence thanks to our 25-year production guarantee.
Get the FAQ’s of going solar
“We guarantee that your solar power system will meet its promised production amount for 25 years.”
Freedom Forever guarantees that the solar system will produce the electricity promised with our 25-Year Production Guarantee. We will even pay you for any shortfall from our fault. However, your actual savings will depend on your usage and electricity rates in your area. You should carefully consider if the usage and rates shown in your proposal are appropriate. Keep in mind that many homeowners will use more electricity after going solar.