As the cost of electricity continues to increase, residents in El Paso are always looking for ways to reduce their household budget without being forced to make a considerable sacrifice. One of the most significant ways to reduce monthly utility costs is to become more energy-efficient. When you are looking to slash your electric bill, it is essential to understand what items in your home are the largest electricity consumers to start big with your changes. Below are the top five electricity users and how you can put them on a diet:
1 – Heating And Cooling
Of course, you cannot live without heating and cooling. But you can make a concerted effort to use these pieces of equipment more cost-effectively. Providing the care your HVAC equipment needs is the first step in keeping it running energy-efficiently. Change that HVAC air filter before it gets clogged and overworks the air intake. And move furniture away from vents so the warmed and cooled air can easily circulate. Finally, seal any air leaks around doors and windows that let your heated and cooled air escape without keeping your home comfortable.
2 – That Old Water Heater
All water heaters consume a good amount of electricity. However, an old-style water heater with a large holding tank is the worst. These units waste tons of electricity, keeping that tank of water warm 24/7. So add a layer of insulation to the outside of the tank to help keep the water warm. Also, if you are going out of town, be sure to turn down the water heater or even turn it off to save a massive amount of energy. Finally, think about upgrading to a tankless water heater for exceptional energy savings for up to 20 years.
3 – The Rest Of The Gang
The third-largest electricity consumer is a group effort from all of the other major appliances in your kitchen and laundry rooms. The refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, and clothes washer and dryer combine to use over 10% of the energy you pay for each month. So be sure to use these appliances as efficiently as possible, such as washing full loads of dishes or laundry and using cold water when applicable.
Try This Bright Idea
Household lighting accounts for nearly 10% of your monthly electric bill. So convert from incandescent light bulbs to LED throughout your home and cut that 10% down to more like 3%. And even with energy-efficient LEDs, turn off the light when you leave a room.
Too Much TV?
The TVs and other media devices that are ingrained in our lives come in at number five, with around 5% of the household electricity use. These devices are stealing energy 24/7, even when turned off because any remote-capable device is in a sleep mode but not completely turned off. So pull the plug on media devices when not in use for significant energy savings.
Call (915) 221-8214 to speak to the licensed electricians at Secure Electrical Contractors for more information about reducing your monthly electric bills.