Do you get nervous every time your utility bill arrives? Does it fluctuate every billing cycle, leaving you uncertain of what to expect? With a little bit of arithmetic and some sleuthing, you can get a better idea of your energy bill and even learn ways to lower it.

To calculate your electric bill, you’ll want to estimate the total wattage used in your house each day. That means finding out the wattages of each electrical device you own. Labels on the back of your television, refrigerator, computer, smartphone charger, etc. should tell you what you need to know. Let’s say that your TV is 200 watts and you use it 3 hours per day. Multiply 200 watts x 3 hours = 600 watt-hours per day.

Since electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours, you’ll need to convert that figure to kilowatts. 1 kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts, so 600 watt-hours per day / 1000 = 0.6 kWh per day. If your bill is measured on a monthly basis, multiply that figure by 30 days. 0.6 kWh per day x 30 days = 18 kWh per month.

Now, using your last electric bill as an example, you’ll need to multiply that kWh per month figure by the cost per kilowatt-hour. The average cost per kilowatt-hour in the U.S. is 12 cents. 18 kWh per month x $0.12 per kWh = $2.16 per month. Not bad! However, you’ll want to repeat this process for each major appliance in your home. If you only run your dryer twice per month for two hours each time, calculate it accordingly.

There’s also a great free tool you can use to estimate your electric costs per month, per appliance or device. It’s located here.

Aside from the obvious benefit of knowing what to expect from the utility company each month, having this information can assist you in making energy-conscious choices for your home. If you rely on electricity for your heating sources, you’ll want to take a look at alternatives. Energy isn’t necessarily getting cheaper, but there are ways to reduce your energy bill in a responsible way.

Greenwood wood boilers and wood furnaces are the perfect solution for homeowners looking to save money on their energy costs and move towards a sustainable home heating method. Greenwood boilers can be installed in a majority of existing forced air, hot water baseboard or radiant heating systems. Like your existing heating system, they are run from the thermostat on your wall, so the only change you’ll see is the big reduction in your heating bill.

For information about Greenwood or to see an appliance, click here.