Many seniors who live on limited incomes after retirement may need to find ways to cut costs. One way to save money is to reduce the electricity bill. Here are a few steps to help your loved one lower his or her electricity bill.
1. Unplug Appliances & Electronics
An appliance that’s plugged in but not in use continues to draw a small amount of electricity from an outlet. This is known as a phantom load. While a few plugged-in devices generally won’t waste much energy, if your loved one has phantom loads throughout the home, it could end up costing hundreds of dollars a year. Your loved one should unplug all devices and appliances until they’re needed.
Saving money isn’t the only concern for aging adults as they get older. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Use Space Heaters
A large family might need to keep multiple rooms in the house at the same temperature. However, this will change when the children start moving out. Instead of using the entire heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, it might be more cost-effective to invest in a smaller space heater and fan. These use a fraction of the electricity and can usually keep one room at a consistent temperature.
In addition to managing their finances, older adults may also require assistance with basic everyday activities. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Rocklin, CA, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
3. Install a Programmable Thermostat
While older electronic thermostats can be quite useful, they’re often inaccurate. Many older adults sometimes forget to change the settings while they’re out running errands or heading to bed for the night. Switching to a programmable thermostat can allow your loved one to preset temperatures according to the time of day and day of the week.
4. Switch to CFL Bulbs
Your loved one’s home should have adequate lighting at all times, but keeping a house well lit can be quite expensive. Instead of turning the lights off and potentially causing an accident, your loved one might want to replace old incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs. These high-efficiency bulbs use a fraction of the electricity and are designed to last for thousands of hours.
5. Ask for a Senior Discount
Many utility companies offer reduced rates to people over 65 who are living on fixed incomes. While these discounts generally reduce energy bills by a small percentage, the savings can add up to hundreds of dollars over the years.
Reducing energy costs is one of the many ways older adults can get some peace of mind and enjoy a high quality of life. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them attain this goal. Families can trust Rocklin senior home care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living longer and healthier lives. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner when your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging. Call us today at (916) 226-3737 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.