Whether it’s the cold of winter or the heat of summer, your electric bill can climb when you’re trying to keep your home comfortable. Add to that the lights, TVs and appliances we can’t live without, some of which draw power even when they are turned off. Here are 10 tips to help you lower your electric bill.
1. Wear a Sweater
In the cold months, turn your thermostat down two degrees and wear a sweater.
2. Keep the Air Flowing
Check your furnace and air conditioner filter every month, and clean or replace it when it is dirty. Clean airflow is good for your lungs and your electric bill. If you’re not sure how to do it, call Central Heating Cooling Plumbing Electrical. See what you need to know about furnace air filters.
3. Close Your Curtains
In the summer, lower your blinds and close your curtains on the sunny side of the house to keep it cooler. In the winter, close your curtains and blinds right after dusk to help prevent heat loss. You’ll stay cooler in summer, warmer in winter and use less electricity.
4. Run Full Loads
Your dishwasher is more water- and energy-efficient when it is full, so wait until it’s full before you run it.
5. Is It Really Off?
A device or appliance may still draw electricity while it is plugged in. If a cord has a transformer, the 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 them into a power strip and turn the strip off when you are not using them. Devices that need to be reprogrammed, such as clocks, DVD players and TVs, may take more work to reset than the savings are worth.
6. Save by Sleeping
Choosing electronics such as scanners, printers and other computer equipment that have a sleep mode reduces their continuous draw of electricity and can save you money over time.
7. Switch to LED Bulbs
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
8. Use a Programmable Thermostat
Set it to lower the heat while you sleep and bring it back up just before you wake. Otherwise, your heating keeps running at full comfort all night. See the benefits of a new thermostat.
9. Save Money by Preventing Wrinkles
An already warm dryer saves energy. Dry two or more loads in a row to take advantage of the heat inside the unit, and remove laundry while it is still warm to prevent wrinkles. Always clean out the lint filter before adding another load. A clogged lint filter can create a safety hazard and increase your energy use.
10. Get an Annual Check-Up
Heating and cooling are among the largest parts of most home energy bills. An annual professional check-up helps keep your equipment running efficiently. The Comfort Care Plan includes two system checks a year, so your heating and cooling equipment is inspected for efficiency and safety, plus priority service.
Your Comfort Is Our Central Concern. Call 406-756-6656 for all your heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and drain cleaning needs.
