Don’t Let Your Electric Bill Break the Bank!
With the many expenses of being a homeowner, we all want to cut back where we can to lower costs. There are several ways to save on your electric bill.
Try these tips to lower your bill:
Get an Energy Audit
Check and see if your utility company offers a free home energy audit. If so, it’s well worth it to have them come out. They can point out areas where you can trim your energy use. Home Energy Audit
Install Dimmer Switches
Dimmer switches will allow you to only use as much light as you need. How to Install a Dimmer Switch
Keep Your Fridge & Freezer Full
The food that you store in your fridge and freezer serves as insulation, so the more you have in there, the less your appliance must run to keep itself cold.
Install Ceiling Fans
If you keep the air circulating in your home, your AC will not have to work as hard to keep the house cool. You can also use your ceiling fan to keep warmer in the winter. To do this, reverse the motor in the ceiling fan so it rotates clockwise at a low speed. This creates an updraft which forces warm air near the ceiling down into your space. It won’t change the temperature in the room, but it will help keep you warm. But don’t forget to turn the fan off when you leave the room to save even more electricity!
Cover and Repair Windows
If your windows are not insulated for cold weather, they can be a major source of lost heat from inside your home. Make sure they are properly sealed and weatherized to help prevent heat from escaping and cold air from coming in. You can use caulking on small gaps or apply weatherstripping to cover them.
Line Dry Your Laundry
Let “Mother Nature” dry your clothes for you on warm, sunny days. When that is not possible, try using a drying rack indoors.
Eliminate “Phantom Loads”
You may be shocked to know that about 75% of the energy used by home electronics is consumed when they are turned off. Some examples of these “phantom” users are: televisions, CD players, computers, and various kitchen appliances. The simple solution is to plug these items into a power strip and then turn the power strip off when not using them.
Install an Attic Fan
An attic fan will pull cool air into your home and help to remove hot air.
Shield Your Home from the Sun
You can cut down on air conditioning use by closing your curtains and blinds on the sunny side of the house. You may also want to consider planting trees that will provide shade during the sunny times of the day.
Schedule Yearly HVAC Maintenance
Having your HVAC inspected and cleaned each year will save you money in the long run…and it will help provide cleaner air to your home.
Change Your Filters Regularly
Filters should be changed every 30 days to keep your HVAC running at peak efficiency.
Switch to LEDs
LED light bulbs use 90 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. Switch out the bulbs you use the most in your home and then change the rest as they burn out.
Lower the Temperature of Your Hot Water Heater
13% of your home’s energy goes to heating water. You can lower this percentage by setting your hot water heater to 120 degrees.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to monitor and set your heat usage so that you are not heating an empty house while you’re away. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, adjust it manually before leaving the house.
If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call them today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.
