Looking for ways to cut monthly expenses? Chopping your electric bill is a start, and these eight tips aren’t hard to implement
1. Water Heater: Lower the Temperature
Your tank-style water heater is an energy hog. Your HVAC system accounts for almost half of the energy you use, and your water heater is the next on the list of power-hungry appliances. Set the water heater to 120 degrees. That will draw less electricity. Also insulate the tank and turn the heater off when you’re on vacation or otherwise not using it.
2. Washing Machine: Do More Cold Loads
This relates to the demand for hot water, which calls for your water heater to run. A fraction of the energy used for washing clothes goes to the operation of the machine. Most of the energy goes to heating water. Unless the load comprises filthy, greasy clothes, wash clothes in cold water. Bonus: your clothes will last longer because cool water is easier on fabrics than hot.
3. Appliances: Run Them During Off-Peak Hours
Electricity costs more during high-usage times of day. Call your power company to find out when those hours are and don’t use appliances during those windows. For example, set the dishwasher to run later.
4. Appliances: Ditch the Old Ones
Yes, this may entail an upfront cost, but over time, it will pay off. Old appliances lose their efficiency as they wear out. Most newer appliances are built with energy efficient technology. Often, they qualify for electric company discounts and rebates.
5. Outlets: Unplug Things You’re Not Using
Ever heard of “vampire energy loads”? It refers to the energy drawn by things that aren’t in use but are plugged in. It’s not a lot of energy, but it does add up over time. Think of how many things you have plugged in: phone chargers, device chargers, game consoles, computers, microwaves, and TV’s. Anything that has a display, indicator light, standby function, clock, or power adapter will draw a vampire energy load when it’s plugged in.
6. Go Smart: Use a Smart Power Strip with Surge Protection
Smart power strips can be installed easily and controlled via your device app or Alexa, Siri, or Google Home. They mitigate vampire energy drain and power surges and overloads.
7. Switches: Install Dimmers
Twelve percent of your electric bill, on average, goes to lighting. Get dimmer switches and install occupancy sensors so that lights can go into low-energy-use mode when they’re not needed at full brightness.
8. Dishwasher: Turn Off the Heat Dry Setting
Use the air-dry setting instead of the heat-dry setting. This will save about 15 percent of the energy that the dishwasher uses per load.
If you implement any or all these tips, your energy bill with thank you. One more idea: call Burney Electrical Service and schedule an “energy audit” with us. We’ll come out, assess your home or building, and give you a report that will show you how you’re using energy and how you could reduce your energy usage.
Call the best electrical services company in Decatur, Burney Electrical Services, at (404) 369-1063.
