How to Cut Down Utility Bill Costs
With the start of the school year and the holiday season approaching, it seems as though the mound of expenses just keep piling up. You’re budgeting for school shopping, lunches, holiday shopping and making sure your lights stay turned on. This season tends to be the most expensive for many home owners.
Luckily, we have a few ideas on how to cut back on utility bills and lower your electric bill. We also provide home inspections for everyone in the Northern Virginia area and look at ways you can utilize the most out of your electrical appliances. You may be heading into a time filled with many expenses but you can pad your pocket with money saved from lowering your utility bill. Check out these tips that will help you cut down utility bill costs and give you peace of mind during this hectic season!
Install Dimmer Switches
When you install dimmer switches, you can use only as much light as you need. With a traditional light switch, the only settings are on and off, meaning you are either using 0% electricity or 100%. With a dimmer, you have an entire spectrum of settings in between. Being able to decrease the amount of light you use inevitably results in lower energy bills. Install dimmers in the rooms you use the most like the kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and bedrooms; this will allow you to take advantage of the greatest savings possible.
Keep Your Fridge and Freezer Full
Everyone always tells you to keep the fridge closed. But did you know that keeping your fridge and freezer full can also save money? Food acts as insulation and lessens the amount of time that the fridge has to run to stay cool. This will be easy to do with all of those lunches your family will have to pack for school and for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Install Ceiling Fans
Keep the air circulating in your home, and your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard. Ceiling fans can help lower your electric bill by up to 30 to 40 percent. While a ceiling fan doesn’t actually decrease the temperature of a room, the draft makes the room feel cooler – allowing you to raise the thermostat and be just as comfortable. You can even use your ceiling fans in the winter months! Many people are unaware that ceiling fans can be used to circulate warm air during cooler months of the year. By running the blades clockwise, ceiling fans push warm air down from the ceiling without creating a draft.
Get Rid of “Phantom Loads”
A shocking 75 percent of the energy used by home electronics is consumed when they’re turned off. These “phantom” users include: televisions, video game consoles, stereos, computers and many kitchen appliances—basically anything that holds a time or other settings. A simple solution? Plug all of these items into power strips; then, get in the habit of turning off the strips between uses. This will cut down utility bill costs and will help combat overloading fuses.
Switch to LEDs
LED light bulbs use 90 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. Switch out the most widely used bulbs in your home. Then, replace the rest as they burn out. LED lights tend to last much longer than traditional bulbs so you won’t have to replace them as often – saving you money.
Utilizing these ideas will help you save money on your bills this busy season and give you peace of mind when heavy expenses come your way. Even just doing one or two of these will help lower your electric bill substantially! If you want to have one of our experts come out and do a home inspection, call Hickerson Brothers today!
We’ve all done it, we’ve turned down the A/C in our homes to escape the summer heat – only to experience crushing utility bills in the aftermath. But you don’t have to sacrifice comfort to save money. The experts at Hickerson Brothers Electric Service know this fact firsthand! We know several ways to cut down utility costs this season without making the entire household uncomfortable. Read more for some realistic tips on keeping your home cool this summer – without breaking the bank!
Use Dimmers
Dimmers are a great way to reduce electricity costs. Instead of just on or off, you have a whole range of lighting to choose from. Keeping the dimmer on a lower setting can ensure you’re saving some energy while your lights are on. We can help install dimmers on any switch in your home! However, watch out for flickering lights, that could be a sign your dimmer isn’t working properly.
Fans
A popular tool in the summer, a fan can create the illusion that the room is cooler by creating a wind chill. While fans don’t actually lower a temperature, they can make a room feel a few degrees cooler. Just remember to turn them off when you leave a room.
The Sun
The sun is an amazing source of energy. It creates light and heat that we can use in our homes. By blocking that sun in the summer with blackout shades, or letting the light in for the winter, you can help to heat or cool your home using a giant natural resource. If you know when to open or shut your blinds, you could save tons throughout the year.
LEDs
You probably know already that LED lights can help save energy. Many people also like the whiter light they give off as opposed to the more yellow tinge from incandescent bulbs. LEDs have a longer life span and use less energy overall. If you haven’t yet, consider switching over all your bulbs.
Water Heater
Turn down your water heater to 120 degrees. You won’t notice that the temperature is lower – and it will help prevent scalding babies and infants. A lower temperature will also help you save money on utilities. Another great option would be a tankless water heater. This would only heat the water that you need in the moment- no more wasted hot water!
Programmable Thermostat
We love programmable thermostats because they can make your life so much easier! Turning the temperature up and down to meet your comfort needs is a hassle, and too many hands on the controls us a recipe for disaster. By using a programmable thermostat, you’ll get the best results because it won’t ever forget and will always regulate the temperature in your home. If you need help with your home automation, call Hickerson Brothers to help!
Turn off lights
Perhaps the most obvious way to save energy in your home is to make sure you are turning off lights as you leave a room – or your home. Even if you are saving only pennies, they add up over time!
There are many ways to cut down utility bill costs this season. Follow these tips and you’re sure to get some money back in your pockets! If you need help with home automation, switching to LEDs, installing fans or dimmers, Hickerson Brothers is here for you! Call us at 703-594-3913 to schedule an appointment today!
Hickerson Electrical is your source for all home electrical services. We’re ready and willing to deliver top-quality service to your home at a moment’s notice. So call today at (703) 594-3913.
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