With all of the economic challenges and uncertainty, everyone is looking for ways to save money around the house. With that in mind, the pros at Circuit Doctor created this list of tips to help you cut the cost of your electric bill. But the best part of this list is that these tips do not force you to change your lifestyle or sacrifice your comfort level. These are just simple things to help you save some of your hard-earned money.
- Take control of your electronics. All of the devices that you leave plugged in use energy, even when they are turned off. Unplug your coffee maker, computer, or other appliances when not in use. Your home is full of electronics that can be wasting as much as 20% of the energy used in your home each month.
- Install a programmable thermostat. This device will allow you to program a slightly warmer temperature in your home when you are away. Then the program will drop the temperature back to your desired level before you return home. According to the U.S. EPA, a programmable thermostat can reduce cooling costs by up to 20%.
- Solar energy is a great tool. But the sun could be heating up your home, while you are spending money to try to cool it. Close blinds or curtains during the day to reduce the heat entering your home through your windows.
- Use your ceiling fans to circulate air and keep your home feeling more comfortable. A room with a ceiling fan will feel four degrees cooler when the fan is running. The fan does not actually lower the temperature in the room. But it does provide an excellent service by pulling the hot air up towards the ceiling so that you feel more comfortable when relaxing on the couch or in your favorite chair.
- Keep the coils in your outdoor air conditioner unit clean. Spray away grass clippings, bugs, and dirt to keep your AC functioning as energy-efficiently as possible. This is a task to add to your monthly to-do list in most areas. If you live in a particularly dusty area, spraying out your AC unit more often is a great way to save some money and extend its life expectancy.
- You home’s water heater accounts for about 18-20% of your home’s energy consumption. By lowering the temperature a few degrees, you can significantly reduce the cost of heating your water. Also, it is essential to note that a water heater should never be set to more than 120 degrees. Water any hotter than 120 degrees can result in scalding.
- Replacing the air filter in your AC unit will help increase its ability to cool your home and will also save you money. A dirty or clogged air filter will not allow for proper airflow inside your AC unit. This will cause it to be overworked, waste electricity, and shorten the life of your air conditioner.
- Enjoy the great outdoors at mealtime. Grilling is a great way to avoid heating up your home. Using your oven or stove can increase the temperature in your home by 5 to 10 degrees. And after an hour or two outside, your home will feel remarkably more refreshing when you come back inside after dinner.
- Use all of your electric appliances wisely. First, this means only running appliances like a dishwasher or clothes washer when you have a full load. Also, when washing clothes, use cold whenever possible, and never hot water. And turn off the drying cycle on your dishwasher and allow your dishes to air dry. And finally, if your oven is electric, consider cooking in your microwave, which will consume only a fraction of the energy that your oven uses to cook a meal.
- Learn about peak energy times. Some power companies offer a time of use billing cycle that lowers the cost of your electricity during off-peak hours. Off-peak is the best time to run your dishwasher and laundry machines to increase your savings. Also, be sure to set high energy use items like a pool pump to only run during off-peak hours.
Reducing your home’s energy consumption this summer can be simple if you apply these ten tips. It might take a few weeks to get used to altering the time that you complete some household chores. But your effort will be rewarded with a lower electric bill and a cooler, more comfortable living space. If you have any questions or concerns about the tips or the electrical system in your home, call the pros at Circuit Doctor at (703) 463-9866 for reliable answers. We are here 24/7 and our work carries a complete parts and labor warranty.
