In 2018, two thirds of American energy usage was actually waste. That means your utility bill could have been a third of what it actually was! The average 2-bedroom household in Ohio pays about $250 a month for energy costs — you could theoretically be saving around $160 a month in a no-energy-waste home. Here are a few ways to make that a reality.

LED Light Bulbs

LED light bulbs use less power for the same amount of light output — their annual energy consumption is about 30 times lower than fluorescent or incandescent bulbs. They also emit less heat, which adds up across the average household's 45 or so light fixtures. One of the best reasons to make the switch is their lifespan: LED bulbs can last up to 50 times longer than regular bulbs, around 5 years. That saves you time, money, and energy all at once.

Upgrade Your Appliances

Choose ENERGY STAR rated appliances whenever you can. Most will have the large yellow sticker proclaiming their rating — these standards are set by the EPA and give you insight into how your appliance performs compared to the national standard. The higher the score, the better the performer and the less energy waste.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats have been increasing in popularity for good reason. These tech-savvy tools help regulate your energy by learning your patterns of behavior — what time you leave for work, what temperature you like to sleep at, and more. By doing so, they keep your HVAC system running efficiently without the spikes and dips that force your system to work harder than it needs to.

Motion Sensor Lights

Light timers and motion sensors can shut off lights in rooms that might otherwise be forgotten. This is especially useful in kids' rooms, as well as outdoor areas and garages. These lights can be easily installed with no professional electrician required.

Unplug

This tip works two ways — unplug your mind from screen time, and unplug your devices when not in use. Vampire energy is a very sneaky energy waster: even when devices are off, they can still draw minimal amounts of power from the grid. After charging your phone, unplug it. The same goes for lamps that are rarely used or video game consoles.

Reducing energy waste is a no-brainer because it leads directly to saving money. Follow these simple tips for a hefty savings every month and keep checking back with the Kratos Gas & Power blog for more ways to conserve energy and cut costs!