There are many reasons why your electricity bills may skyrocket during the winter. With El Paso’s winter weather dipping into the low 30s, you may rely on electric space heaters to keep you warm. You’ll also likely be spending more time inside using lights and electronic devices. Those who get into the Christmas spirit may devote a lot of power to holiday lights and other decorations. Fortunately, you can cut down on your energy usage and save some money with a few electrical hacks.
1. Automate Lights and Electrical Appliances
There are numerous options available to help you automate lights and home appliances. These range from simple timers that you plug into an outlet to whole-home automation systems.
Many automation tools also allow you to control lights and appliances from anywhere using an app on your smartphone. You will also get notifications if the system detects something irregular so that you can address it before it costs a lot of money. In addition to saving some cash, automation tools provide a convenient way to lower your carbon footprint.
2. Maintain Electrical Appliances in Fall
If you have an electric water heater, heater, or stove, it’s a good idea to schedule a maintenance visit in the fall. Maintenance will include inspecting and cleaning internal components to help them operate more efficiently. The maintenance tech will also be able to inform you of any minor issues that need to be repaired before they turn into major problems. Regular maintenance is a great way to save on energy costs and extend the life of your appliances.
3. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances and Lighting
If it’s time to replace any home appliances, you should make sure that you find energy-efficient replacements in the fall. Some of these may cost a bit more upfront, but you can often recoup the cost over time thanks to lower energy bills.
During the winter, most of us spend more time indoors, and because there are fewer hours of daylight, we rely on lighting much more than we do other times of the year. If you haven’t already, you should upgrade all of your lighting to LED bulbs. These bulbs use 85% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, which means they can save you a significant amount of money. For even more savings, you can reach out to our interior lighting experts for dimmers and other lighting upgrades.
4. Turn Down the Thermostat
One of the best ways to save energy is to turn the thermostat down a couple of degrees. We know that you want to stay comfortable indoors, but you can stay comfortable while still saving money. Lowering the thermostat by just a couple of degrees can make a noticeable difference on your electricity bill.
At Secure Contractors, we offer high-quality electrical services in El Paso, Texas and the surrounding area. We can help with EV charging stations, generator repair, lighting installation, and much more. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.