Lowering Your Electric Bill Is Easier Than You Think
While the coming of summer is often associated with cookouts, vacations, and trips to the beach, it also comes with a higher energy bill. Sadly, summer plans can take a back seat to the unnecessary spending on utility costs from running the AC longer and harder than other times of the year.
To help you save money on your electric bill and get the most from your summer plans, Watson’s Charging Stations & Electric put together a guide on how to lower your electric bill. Read on to take the first steps towards enjoying your summer and stretching your dollar during the sunny seasons.
Answers to Your Search for “How To Lower Electric Bill”
Most people think that merely not using your AC as much during the summer is the only way to reduce their power bills. While cutting down on air conditioning in your house is one way to spend less on your monthly electric bill, it can also lead to uncomfortable days inside your home. Instead of focusing on denying yourself comfort during the hottest time of the year, why not reduce your costs elsewhere to ensure you do not have to sweat about your overall electric bill?
Here are several things you can do to save on electricity over the summer:
Enjoy Natural Light
Allowing natural light through your windows is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, keeping your lights off is a great way to reduce electricity usage.
You can make use of natural light throughout your home. Simply open your curtains and blinds and enjoy plenty of free natural light.
On the other hand, letting in sunlight can also invite more heat into your home. You might save on the cost of leaving the lights on, but you may have to turn up the AC to compensate.
To get the best of both worlds, consider adding heat-reducing window film to your home’s windows. A good film allows sunlight into your home while blocking heat from the sun. There are plenty of options out there that are easy to install and make a significant impact on your electric bill.
Switch To Led Lights
While opening the windows can let in plenty of natural light, it will not help when the sun sets at night. There may also be rooms in your home that do not have windows or access to natural light. In these cases, you want to remove those old incandescent lights and replace them with LEDs.
LEDs help in several ways. First, LEDs provide similar amounts of light as an incandescent light bulb but can save up to 75% of the power required. LEDs also create less heat, so you do not need to run your AC as much to compensate.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
There is no reason to cool your home while you are not there. Hiring an electrician to switch out your old thermostat with a smart version can make a huge difference. You can control these thermostats via your smartphone, so you can adjust the temperature without getting up from the couch or while you are away.
The other significant perk of a smart thermostat is that you can create a schedule. You can set your home at a comfortable temperature while you are there and use less power while you are away. Some smart thermostats can even sense when you are not home and adjust the temperature automatically.
Improve Air Circulation With a Whole House Fan
A whole house attic fan is a great way to keep your home cool while reducing your electric bill. An electrical contractor adds a fan into your attic that pulls air from outside during cooler times of the day and circulates that air throughout your home.
How does a whole house fan work, you ask? It creates negative pressure to pull cool air into your home.
All you have to do is open a few windows to allow cooler air. The air is then forced out of your attic through the soffits in your eaves or through vents your electrician installs.
Not only does a whole house fan provide a refreshing breeze through your house, but it also cuts down on your electric bill, as fans require far less power than using your AC unit. If you use your house fan in the morning or night when the air is the coolest, you can lower the temperature in your house early. As the temperature goes up outside, you can close your windows and run your AC to help maintain the comfortable feel inside.
Maintain Your AC Unit
Since it would be hard to completely eliminate your AC unit, you want to ensure it is running its best. When your AC runs efficiently, it will reduce the power required to operate it. Many HVAC companies offer an inexpensive maintenance package to ensure your system is in good working order for the summer.
You can also do a few of the following things yourself to keep your AC running like new:
Clean or replace your air filters monthly
Keep heat-producing electronics away from your thermostat
Try to keep your outdoor AC unit in the shade (or add shade to it)
Clean your condensation drain lines monthly
Add Energy Storage to Your Home
Energy storage systems use batteries to store power from your electric company, and this power can then be used at a later time. While many people use a home backup battery to survive power outages, blackouts, and brownouts, these systems can also be part of your electric bill savings plan.
An energy storage system can store power during off-peak hours when electricity is less expensive. That power can then be used to power your AC, house fan, and other electronics during the hours when electricity costs the most.
Save On Your Electric Bill With Watson’s
There is no reason you cannot enjoy your summer thoroughly. Instead of worrying about your electric bill and avoiding doing all of your favorite warm-weather activities, take these simple steps to reduce your electricity usage and costs.
As the premier group of electricians in Gilroy, CA, and Santa Clara Valley, Watson’s Charging Stations & Electric can help you keep your power bill down. Whether you are ready to add energy storage or a house fan or just want to have us complete an energy audit for your home, we are here to help. Give us a call for your complimentary evaluation today.