How to Reduce Electricity Costs
With the economy the way it is, everyone is looking for ways to reduce costs. Often this means cutting recreational activities, scaling down cable television, and sometimes even selling a car and trying to get by with only one. The truth is, though, if you take a comprehensive look at your electric usage, you may be able to significantly reduce those electricity costs and keep more money for some of that other fun stuff you'd rather not eliminate. So, grab a notepad, take a little time to go through your house room by room, and jot down a few things you can do in each area to save energy. It won't hurt at all, and you'll be pleasantly surprised at the savings each month. Here's a list of things to look for as you go, as well as alternatives to those energy-wasting culprits:
1) Light usage:
This one couldn't be more obvious, and you've probably been hearing it since you were a kid ... turn off lights when nobody's in a room. Sure, flicking a switch is fundamental, but this simple action can save you 10 to 20 percent on your electric bills.
2) Even computers need to sleep:
Make sure your computer goes into sleep mode when you're not using it. Try setting it to go into sleep mode sooner, if you find the default is longer than necessary. Though it's true that your computer doesn't use anywhere near as much electricity as whatever else you've got going on in your house, this is another simple move that can save up to $60/year. Hey, every little bit helps.
3) Wiring problems:
Now, here's one that can really drain your electric budget ... faulty wiring. Not to mention the obvious safety hazards, problems with wiring can cost you big time. Electrical 'leaks' caused by bad wiring can cost because they actually allow electricity to leak out of wires. This electricity, naturally, is wasted, and it's costing you more and more every time you flip that switch. Everyone whose home is a little older would do well to contact a licensed electrician in Omaha to inspect wiring and make sure there's no faulty wiring. Do it for your budget and your safety.
4) Timers:
We've all done it. We're so busy in the morning, showering and then running off to get lunches packed, getting the kids off to school and whatever else, that we totally forget we've turned on the lights and exhaust fan in the bathroom and forgotten to shut everything off. Enter: Timers. A licensed electrician can install a bathroom timer that will make sure everything shuts off automatically. And there you go ... you've got one less thing you have to worry about in the morning.
5) Air conditioning and heating units:
If your home has central air or a furnace that's more than three years old, chances are you've got some energy wasting going on there, too. All units that are beyond this age need to be routinely and annually inspected at the beginning of each cooling or heating season. Contacting a top electrician to make sure an inspection is done properly will save you money and headaches in the long run.
6) Thermostat:
Now here's one that can save up to $300 a year! If you replace your outdated, outmoded thermostat with a digitally programmable one, you can save some serious money. These great little money- and energy-saving gadgets enable you to program your furnace and air conditioning unit to turn on and off by default control. This way, these units shut off because you've already told them to at the temperature you've designated. (This is especially useful in saving money when family members can't keep their hands off those controls!)
7) One degree can make a difference:
Did you know that, for every degree you lower your thermostat in the winter, or every degree you raise it in the summer, you can save up to 3 percent on your energy costs? It's true! Seriously, you'll never feel the heat or cold any more if you lower or raise the temp in your house by one little degree, but your wallet sure will!
Every homeowner has a myriad of things they can do to lessen the drain on resources, not to mention their wallets. For more helpful tips on lowering those electric bills, contact a top electrician ... and put more of your hard-earned money back into enjoying life!
1) Light usage:
This one couldn't be more obvious, and you've probably been hearing it since you were a kid ... turn off lights when nobody's in a room. Sure, flicking a switch is fundamental, but this simple action can save you 10 to 20 percent on your electric bills.
2) Even computers need to sleep:
Make sure your computer goes into sleep mode when you're not using it. Try setting it to go into sleep mode sooner, if you find the default is longer than necessary. Though it's true that your computer doesn't use anywhere near as much electricity as whatever else you've got going on in your house, this is another simple move that can save up to $60/year. Hey, every little bit helps.
3) Wiring problems:
Now, here's one that can really drain your electric budget ... faulty wiring. Not to mention the obvious safety hazards, problems with wiring can cost you big time. Electrical 'leaks' caused by bad wiring can cost because they actually allow electricity to leak out of wires. This electricity, naturally, is wasted, and it's costing you more and more every time you flip that switch. Everyone whose home is a little older would do well to contact a licensed electrician in Omaha to inspect wiring and make sure there's no faulty wiring. Do it for your budget and your safety.
4) Timers:
We've all done it. We're so busy in the morning, showering and then running off to get lunches packed, getting the kids off to school and whatever else, that we totally forget we've turned on the lights and exhaust fan in the bathroom and forgotten to shut everything off. Enter: Timers. A licensed electrician can install a bathroom timer that will make sure everything shuts off automatically. And there you go ... you've got one less thing you have to worry about in the morning.
5) Air conditioning and heating units:
If your home has central air or a furnace that's more than three years old, chances are you've got some energy wasting going on there, too. All units that are beyond this age need to be routinely and annually inspected at the beginning of each cooling or heating season. Contacting a top electrician to make sure an inspection is done properly will save you money and headaches in the long run.
6) Thermostat:
Now here's one that can save up to $300 a year! If you replace your outdated, outmoded thermostat with a digitally programmable one, you can save some serious money. These great little money- and energy-saving gadgets enable you to program your furnace and air conditioning unit to turn on and off by default control. This way, these units shut off because you've already told them to at the temperature you've designated. (This is especially useful in saving money when family members can't keep their hands off those controls!)
7) One degree can make a difference:
Did you know that, for every degree you lower your thermostat in the winter, or every degree you raise it in the summer, you can save up to 3 percent on your energy costs? It's true! Seriously, you'll never feel the heat or cold any more if you lower or raise the temp in your house by one little degree, but your wallet sure will!
Every homeowner has a myriad of things they can do to lessen the drain on resources, not to mention their wallets. For more helpful tips on lowering those electric bills, contact a top electrician ... and put more of your hard-earned money back into enjoying life!