Of all the bills you receive every month, which one do you dread the most? Some might say their credit card bill, and others might say their car note is their most stressful bill… But if you’re like most people, your electric bill is the most stressful bill to get every month.
Why the electric bill? Because it fluctuates based on your energy usage. One month your electric bill is “normal,” and then the next month it’s through the roof! But it’s not until our bill gets astronomically high that we decide to get to the bottom of why it’s so high and start making efforts to lower it, right? But just as there is a multitude of reasons why your bill could be so high, there is a multitude of ways to lower your bill as well.
Potential causes of a high electric bill could be everything from extreme thermostat settings to forgetting to turn the lights off after leaving a room. Ways to lower your bill can be as simple as unplugging appliances and electronics you’re not using or switching to LED light bulbs. But of all the multitude of ways to lower your electric bill, you’d be surprised to know that the simple addition of plants to your home can lower your electric bill as well.
If you live in an area like Texas that experiences extreme temperatures, you’ll, of course, want to see what the average electric bill in Texas looks like, and if your bill is well over the average, it may be time to bring in the reinforcements… Bring in the PLANTS!
The Power of Plants on Your Energy Usage
There are some people who are not “plant people,” and then you have those who absolutely love plants… They’re the ones who you would say have “green thumbs.” But green thumb or not, it will be in your and your electric bill’s best interest to start bringing plants into your home.
How do plants lower your electric bill?
Well, it’s all about the air in your home. Plants lower your electric bill in the instance of reducing your need to use your heating and cooling unit. This process is called transpiration.
Transpiration is the process of moisture evaporating from the leaves of plants and then getting released into the air, thus, creating humidity in the room. The transpiration process can actually warm and cool a room, oddly enough.
If your house is warm, and even a little stuffy, house plants can actually lower the temperature of your home as much as 10 degrees, according to the University of Vermont Extension! However, if your home is on the cooler side, and is even the slightest bit humid, house plants will make your home feel warmer simply because the humidity in the air holds heat extremely well.
So, when you notice your electric bill start to get on the “high” side of things, go out and get you some house plants to put in and around your house… You’ll be glad you did.
What’re the best plants to get?
Well, if we’re speaking to individuals with and without green thumbs, you want to get plants that require the least amount of maintenance, especially if you’re not good with plants… But just because you’re not good with plants doesn’t mean you can’t reap the benefits of them. You want plants that, even if you slightly neglect them, they’ll still thrive and warm or cool your home. These “self-sufficient” plants include:
- Aloe Vera
- Chinese Evergreen
- Snake Plant
- Ficus Benjamina
These plants are very low maintenance, which is perfect for the “not-so” plant people, but you want to at least try to remember to water them every now and again… they’re not totally self-sufficient. But in addition to warming and cooling your home, they also purify and enhance the indoor air quality of your home; And you can’t forget the fact that they’re absolutely beautiful! You can even get creative and start your own DIY plant-growing projects!
If you’ve been contemplating getting house plants, stop. The addition of house plants in your home will only enhance it. From aesthetics to reducing your energy costs, plants in your home could possibly be the best thing you could ever do for your home. Happy Planting!
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