Just like that, summer is just around the corner. It’s the season where temperatures are expected to be at their peak and people will find themselves frequently dripping in sweat, resulting in a spike to the summer electric bill.

People are likelier to turn to their cooling systems to alleviate heat stress, summer is also the season where common spikes in electricity bills can be seen. Although a lot of consumers tend to be in denial that the culprit of the rise in their electricity bill is their usage behavior, the inevitable spike during summer is actually a result of various factors coming into play.

With summer being just a few weeks away, below are five electric bill-saving tips you might want to bear in mind to avoid that post-summer bill shock:

1. Keep your cooling systems in great condition.

Besides ensuring that your air quality is okay, having a well-maintained cooling system also means less money spent on electricity and cooling costs as it helps ensure that your HVAC system is properly insulated and is running efficiently and smoothly. Moreover, a well-maintained cooling system will also help you prevent the need for major electrical repair and replacements. That’s another maintenance cost off of your budget. In other words, hiring an HVAC technician and a professional electrician nearby may require you to shell out for maintenance costs but it will most likely pay off, in the long run, knowing your HVAC systems are working at an optimum.

2. Set your air-conditioning unit’s thermostat for optimum efficiency.

While many people commonly experience a spike in electricity bills during summer, consumers who use air conditioners most of the time tend to suffer more, especially those who are not mindful of how cool they are setting their AC units. Learn from their mistake by knowing how to set your thermostat at an optimum. As per the experts, an ideal setting in the summer would be at 70 degrees and it can potentially reduce your energy cost by as much as 10% annually. Now, if 70 degrees sounds too warm for you, you can lower it for interim periods of time. Every degree, they say, equates to a 3% increase or decrease in your cooling budget – that’s something you should also take into account.

The good news is, in this digital age, programmable thermostats are already widely available. The technology enables people to set a warmer setting whenever they leave their homes and programs it to resume cooling before they arrive. As for the installation, experts say a DIY-er has to be seasoned to be able to install a programmable thermostat successfully. So, unless you’re a homeowner with fundamental electrical knowledge, you might want to hire a licensed electrician instead to ensure safety and quality of work.

3. Keep your doors and windows closed during the scorching daytime heat.

Human instinct would tell you to open your doors and windows on a hot day to let the breeze in. Unfortunately, it might turn out to be a costly mistake under the hottest temperatures which can heat up the walls of your home because in such cases, it will do little good for air circulation.

In other words, unless the temperatures outside are low enough, keeping your doors and windows open will not be a sensible option as it will only signal your cooling appliances to work harder. Ironically, one of the best practices to manage the heat efficiently is to run your AC units during the hottest hours. It is what they are made for anyway.

4. Have your ceiling fans ready.

Using a ceiling fan never goes out of style in combating the heat during summer. They do not cost that much but they can effectively help in reducing your energy cost provided that a proper ceiling fan installation and maintenance service from a reputable electrical service company like ElectriCall has been carried out.

Ceiling fans do the job by helping your AC unit in cooling a particular area even at a lower thermostat setting as long as they work together. However, since they only act as support that intends to cool the people in an area, you also have to be mindful of turning them off if there is no one using it. That way, you will be able to save more on your energy consumption.  

5. Prioritize switching to LED bulbs.

Compared to halogen bulbs, LED lights consume 75% less energy. That may initially sound like an insignificant saving but if you multiply that to the number of bulbs you are using in your home, you will be surprised at the decrease in your electricity bill because of it. Besides that, LED bulbs are also known to be a lot more durable. That said, aside from curbing your power consumption, they are also a cost-effective solution on a long-term perspective.  

The switching is something most homeowners in Colorado can do on their own. However, if you noticed your bulbs flickering and leaving a buzzing noise every time they are turned on, or they’re in hard to reach places, consider calling an electrical service near Denver. A professional electrical service company like ElectriCall is affordable and just a quick phone call away. 

There is nothing sweeter than being able to enjoy the summer without hurting your wallet. You can follow the tips above or seek help from reliable electricians who can help you optimize your energy consumption the right way. ElectriCall will be more than glad to assist you. Give us a call today!