10 Tips on How to Lower the Electric Bill
If you get sticker shock every month when you open your electricity bill, it’s time to do some work. There are probably things you are doing in your home that are driving your electricity up without you even realizing it. That’s why we’ve researched 10 ways how to lower the electric bill in your Durham home so you can save money. You may be surprised to find out how easy it is to lower your electric bill.
Let’s get started.
10 Ways to Lower the Electric Bill
Cover the Outlets
Air from outside may be leaking into your home through your electrical outlets. Even a small amount of air can put a strain on your heating and cooling system, leading to higher than necessary electric bills.
On a cold day, check the outlets around your home by putting your hand in front of them. If you feel air coming through, your outlet is not doing a good job at blocking out the outside temperature. Adding plastic outlet covers is an easy remedy to this problem.
Wash Clothes in Cold Water
Unless your fabric requires warm or hot water, wash your clothes and linens in cold water to reduce heating costs and lower electric bills. Cold water is good for most items and is effective at removing stains. More than half of the energy your washer uses goes to warming the water, so using cold water instead can make a huge dent in lowering your electric bill.
Weatherstrip Your Doors and Windows
Making sure your doors and windows are weather-stripped can save you energy in the winter. Just as small air leaks can come through your outlets, leaks, around your doors and windows can cause the same problems. Your heating system will work harder than it should to keep your house warm since cold air is seeping in.
Weatherstripping your doors and windows is easy with a quick trip to your local home improvement store. Choose from among the window weatherstripping products to keep prevent cold air from coming into your home.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Reduce your electric bill by using a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can be connected to your smartphone to make programming easy and efficient. You can program temperatures for specific times of the day without adjusting them manually.
You can raise it while you’re not home and program it to lower before you get back. This way you’re not wasting energy when you’re not around. According to the Department of Energy, you can save 1% for each degree setting over an 8-hour period. So if you turn thermostats back 7-10 degrees from their normal settings for 8 hours a day, you can save up to 10% each year.
Run Your Dishwasher at Night
Many companies charge higher rates during peak hours when everyone is awake and using their appliances. You can check your bill to see if this applies to you. If it does, consider running appliances, like your dishwasher, at night to avoid high charges.
A dishwasher is a low-maintenance appliance that doesn’t require you to do anything until it’s done running. Plus, they usually don’t make a lot of noise which is a plus. Just turn it on, go to bed, and wake up to clean dishes!
Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances
When you need new appliances, look for energy-efficient ones. These usually have the Energy Star label. They can save you money because they don’t require as much energy to do their jobs. For example, an Energy Star dishwasher uses 3.5 gallons of water or less per cycle compared with more than 10 gallons used by older models.
Turn off “Phantom Appliances”
Coffee makers are an example of a “phantom appliance” that can still use energy when it’s plugged in even when you’re not actively using it. They tend to have features that run all day, like a clock or timer. This means it uses energy even when it is not in use. Unplug these types of appliances and save yourself some money.
Do your kids leave the lights on even when they leave the room? You can install motion sensor lighting in your home so you won't run the risk of running up the electricity bill with phantom lights.
Change Your Light Bulbs to LEDs
Changing just one light bulb to an LED bulb can save you tons. It uses upwards of 80 percent less than traditional incandescent bulbs. If you change every bulb in your house to an LED, think how much you could save!
Use Door Draft Guards
Heat may be escaping from your house without you even realizing it. Covering entryways with a draft guard can help you conserve energy and save money. If you can feel a draft, then your home is losing heat and you’re paying the price.
Replace Old Wiring
When wiring is old and outdated, it’s not going to produce electricity as efficiently. This is going to raise your electric bill. Some people don’t even realize their wiring is outdated until a problem arises, such as an outlet not working. When this happens, sometimes faulty wiring is to blame. Calling an electrician in Durham at MSS Ortiz will allow this to get repaired promptly to save you money and prevent any safety hazards.
Do You Need Electrical Repairs to Help You Save Money? Call Us!
When people want to know how to save money on the electric bill, the answer can be as simple as making electrical repairs around the house. This can update your electrical system so that it can run more efficiently.
MSS Ortiz has a team of experienced Durham electricians who are ready to upgrade your electrical system if needed. MSS Ortiz Electrical Services in Durham can assess your home's electrical wiring setup to see where there are opportunities to improve your home's efficiency, and safety - and maybe even lower your electric bill. While we are headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, our licensed electricians are spread across the state and will travel to the surrounding areas including Raleigh, Greensboro, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, and more!
Call us today at (919) 382-0832 or reach out to us online for more information and to schedule a free quote!
