Whether it’s the cold of winter or the heat of summer your electric bill can skyrocket when trying to keep your home comfortable in any season. Add to that, the electric draining gizmos we can’t live without, lights, TV’s and appliances. All which automatically expend power, even some when you have them turned off.
Here are 10 tips to help you lower your electric bill:
Tip #1: Wear a sweater – Want to save $180.00 on your energy costs this year? In the cold months turn your thermostat down two degrees and wear a sweater. Not only will it save you money, but it will also help you burn calories!
Tip #2: Keep the Air Flowing – Change your furnace and air conditioning filters monthly. Keeping the air clean and flowing is good for your lungs and your electric bill. If you don’t know how to do it yourself, call CENTRAL.
Tip #3: Close your Curtains – In the summer to help keep you cooler on the hot days, lower your blinds and close your curtains on the sunny side of the house. To help prevent heat loss in the winter, close your curtains and blinds directly after dusk. This tip will allow you to stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter and help to cut down on increased electric usage.
Tip #4: Fill’er Up! – Your dishwasher is more water efficient and energy efficient when it is full. Research shows they also do a better job! So before you turn it on make sure that it is full!
Tip #5: Is it Really OFF? – A device or appliance may still be sucking electricity if it is plugged in. If a cord has a transformer, which is a small black cube at the end of the cord, you can almost count on it. If the cords to small appliances are hard to reach, plug the small appliances into a power strip and turn the power strip off when you are not using them. Devices that may need to be programmed such as clocks, DVD players and TV’s may require more work reprogramming then the savings provides.
Tip #6: Save by Sleeping – Spending an extra couple bucks on electronics such as, scanners, printers and other computer equipment that have, “sleep mode” can reduce the continuous draw of electricity and can save you money on your energy bill in the long run.
Tip #7: The Lightbulb – A worthy investment for any household is fluorescent bulbs. Initially they are more expensive, but last about 10 times longer than the old fashion incandescent lightbulbs and can cost the same as six to 10 fluorescent bulbs.
Tip #8: Timing is Everything – An easy way to reduce energy costs is to install timers on your furnace and water heater. Set the timers to turn off while you sleep, and come back on just before you wake up. Otherwise, as you snooze. . . everything keeps running and you waste money.
Tip #9: Save Money by Preventing Wrinkles – An already warm dryer saves on energy costs. Remove laundry from the dryer when it is still warm to prevent wrinkles. Dry two or more loads in a row and take advantage of the heat inside the unit. Always remember to clean out the lint filter before adding another load. A clogged lint filter can create a safety hazard and can increase your energy use up to 30%.
Tip #9: Get your annual check-up – By far your biggest electricity devourer is your heating and air conditioning units. Typically they account for as much as 50% of your energy bill. By having an annual professional check-up you help ensure that they are running efficiently. You may want to consider CENTRAL’S, Comfort Care Program.
As you become a Comfort Care Program member you enjoy priority status with Central Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical. The benefits of membership give you peace of mind in knowing that the heating and cooling equipment in your home is maintained and inspected two times a year to ensure that it is running at peak efficiency and safety. For more information:http://www.centralmt.com/about/comfort-care-program
As always, your Comfort is our Central concern, call 756-6656, for all your heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and drain cleaning needs.