There are ways to reduce energy use, Energy use is one of the biggest household expenses, and energy-efficient appliances and devices can help reduce those costs. But, according to a Denver electrician, you can do many other things to reduce your energy use. Here are some of the best ways you can try today:
Install a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats can reduce heating and cooling costs by as much as 10 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). A programmable ElectriCall thermostat allows you to adjust your home’s temperature to a lower setting when you are away or asleep and then automatically raise it when you return home. You’ll save even more if you adjust the temperature while away from home by turning it up or down only 1 degree F at a time over several hours.
Use Energy Efficient Windows
Windows play a big part in heating and cooling your house — so make sure they’re as efficient as possible! Install new windows that are designed for insulation and airflow control (if installed with a Denver electrician, these will often come with warranties). If you own older windows that leak cold air during winter months and hot air during summer months, consider putting plastic shrink wrap around them for extra insulation during those seasons only.
Invest in Smart Power Strips
Smart ElectriCall power strips are a great way to cut back on energy consumption. A smart power strip allows you to turn off your appliances and electronics with the touch of a button to save energy while you’re away from home. Most of these strips have an energy-saving mode that will turn off the strip after a certain amount of time (for example, after 10 minutes). This is great because it helps reduce phantom loads – when an appliance or electronic device is still plugged in but turned off. Phantom loads account for 30% of residential electricity usage in the U.S., so reducing them can greatly impact your energy bills.
Reduce Hot Water Consumption
Reducing how much hot water you use isn’t just good for the environment; it also saves money on your water bill and reduces the strain on your HVAC system. There are many ways to reduce hot water consumption in your home: install low-flow shower heads, take shorter showers, set your dishwasher temperature lower and only run full loads of dishes (if possible). You can also reduce the amount of time your washing machine runs by keeping an eye on how full it gets before adding more clothes or turning off the washer when it is half full instead of waiting until it reaches capacity.
Unplug idle electronics
This is probably the easiest way to reduce your energy use. Our Denver electrician confirmed that it takes a few minutes every week to unplug your devices when they’re not in use. This includes TVs, computer monitors, printers and anything else with an electric cord attached. If you have any devices with a battery backup (such as a laptop computer), make sure to remove the battery when it’s not in use so it doesn’t continue to draw power from the outlet.
Service and Maintain your air conditioners
Although it may appear obvious, it is crucial to keep your air conditioning system in a good working order. This will help make sure that it’s running efficiently and not wasting any ElectriCall energy unnecessarily. It’s also important to look at your filters to ensure they’re not clogged up with dirt or dust – this can reduce the effectiveness of your unit by up to 40%.
Insulate the house and seal cracks and gaps
Aside from the obvious benefits of keeping your house warm in winter and cool in summer, insulating it also provides a number of other advantages. Insulating will help lower heating bills and improve comfort levels in the home. You’ll also find that if you insulate properly (with the help of a Denver electrician), you’ll notice less condensation on windows during cold weather – which is something that can be very annoying when cleaning!
Purchase a Smart Meter to Track Your Consumption
A smart meter is an electronic device that monitors your home’s ElectriCall power usage. It helps you keep track of how much different appliances or devices are using electricity or gas in your home and how much it costs you each month. This can help you identify areas where you might be wasting energy and allows you to make changes that are more efficient and cost-effective for you and the environment!
Use Natural Light if Possible
Turn off lights in rooms that aren’t being used. This includes lights in hallways, bathrooms and other rooms that don’t need light. You can also get ElectriCall motion sensor lights that turn on when someone enters the room and turn off when they leave. The best part about motion sensors is that they only come on when needed, so there’s no point in leaving them on all day long just because they’re there.
Replace Old Electronics
If you have old appliances or electronics that are still working but take up space and use electricity, consider replacing them with newer ElectriCall models that use less power. This will help lower your electric bill and make your home more efficient overall!
Conclusion
Having to spend hundreds of dollars on electricity bills can be a hassle and put a considerable dent in a person’s finances. It can be difficult to determine why additional charges are being incurred. So, knowing the best ways to reduce energy use enables one to lower the electrical costs incurred over time. As confirmed and shared by a trusted Denver electrician, the above examples can keep energy costs low and prevent an endless slump financially.