Electricity bills may be unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean that you have to pay the highest prices. With smart usage habits and finding the lowest energy package, you can save on your electricity bills.
From changing out your older light bulbs to getting advice from Electrical & Lighting Solutions, you can create a more efficient household that uses less electricity. Changing just a few habits and updating your electrical system can make a difference.
Every homeowner should be concerned with both saving money and shrinking their carbon footprint by conserving energy. Let’s take a closer look at a few easy ways to save money on your electricity bills.
Switch Off
Homeowners end up paying higher energy bills because they have a bad habit of using more electricity than they need. Leaving lights on when they are not needed and keeping appliances and electronics plugged in when not being used can cost you more money. Make a habit of turning off the lights in the rooms that you are not using or invest in light timers that will turn off the lights automatically to save money and energy. You should also unplug your appliances and electronics when they are not in use. Electronics draw a small amount of power when they are plugged in that can add up to your energy bill.
Change Your Bulbs
If you haven’t switched over your household lights to LEDs then you could be washing money down the drain. LED bulbs use up to 85% less energy than traditional bulbs and come in a variety of sizes and shades. You can light up your household with LED light bulbs and still save money on your bills. LED bulbs are less expensive to purchase and can last much longer than the older style fluorescent bulbs to save you even more money.
Smart Home
Smart technology shouldn’t stop with your phone when it comes to taking advantage of the savings it offers for your home. Smart devices for the home are designed to help you conserve energy, save time, and money.
Installing a Smart Thermostat can help you to regulate your heating and air conditioning needs while saving both energy and money. You can program your thermostat to meet your needs and reduce usage when you aren’t home. Over time, your Smart thermostat will learn the habits of your family and adjust to your routine.
Change Your Filters
Your HVAC unit is an essential part of keeping your home comfortable for you and your family. When your furnace is forced to work harder, it loses its efficiency and costs you more money. One of the easiest ways to keep your HVAC unit working properly is to change your filters often. It is recommended that you change your filters at the beginning of each season. Dirty filters force your furnace system to work harder to spread cooled or heated air through your home and increase your energy consumption.
Energy Star Appliances
Your appliances like your fridge and your washing machine use a large proportion of your energy consumption. Installing Energy Star appliances that are designed to reduce both your water and electricity usage can save you a lot of money on your bills. Energy Star appliances are designed to operate efficiently and effectively for less money.
Electricity Plan
For homeowners that live in a deregulated state, like Texas, you have the ability to shop around for the best energy rates. With a bit of research, you can reach out to several of your local companies to compare rates. Most electricity suppliers have affordable energy packages to suit all of your needs and your income bracket. You can save hundreds of dollars every year on your energy costs when you sign up for the right plan.
Ceiling Fans
Your ceiling fans won’t keep you too comfortable in over 100-degree heat, but they can still make a huge difference to the temperature in your home. Your ceiling fans can help you to regulate your home’s temperature in both the winter and the summer. In the summer, having your ceiling fans running can help you to move the air around your home and create a refreshing breeze. With the right circulation, you can set your thermostat to a higher temperature and still be comfortable in the summer.
In the winter, by simply reversing the direction of your ceiling fans, you can cut down on your heating costs. When your ceiling fans are set to direct warm air that has risen to the ceiling back down into your home, it can help you and your family to feel more comfortable. The warm air from your furnace or fireplace can be properly circulated throughout your home with just the use of your ceiling fans.
Strategic Planting
Your landscape planting strategy can make a huge difference to your heating and cooling costs. Using your trees for shading can help your air conditioning system to run more efficiently and save you money on your energy bills. For example, trees planted on the southern and western sides of your home will protect it from the hottest parts of the day. For those that live in the north, keeping your trees away from the western and southern sides of your home will allow for maximum exposure to the sun, helping you to keep your home warmer.
HVAC Maintenance
Your HVAC unit is an essential part of keeping your home comfortable in winter and summer. It’s important that you have your HVAC unit inspected at least once per year. A qualified technician can find any issues with your system before they become larger problems and make the needed repairs for a lower cost. When your HVAC unit is running properly, it doesn’t have to work overtime to keep up with your heating and air conditioning needs, saving you money on your bills.
Shut the Blinds
A simple and easy way to keep your home cooler on those hot summer days is to shut your blinds or curtains during the warmest part of the day. When you allow too much sun into your home, it acts like a greenhouse, concentrating the sun’s rays into heat and warming up the air. When you close your blinds to shut out the sun, especially in the afternoons, you can keep your home cooler and save energy.
If you want to save money and become more energy-efficient, follow these tips to help you save on your energy costs.
