Ways to Ease Your Electric Bill

Here in the Valley, we are still coping with the blistering high bills of summer. Many residents prefer to sign up for bill averaging programs, only to have the last statement in the series prove to be a staggering sum.

You may or may not be one of those individuals, but we’re going to give you some tips to help you start whittling away at those little energy eaters.

A refrigerator which is old or too large for your family costs more money.

During these long days, we turn lights on later than in the winter. Kids tend to leave lights on, but can be taught to turn them off. This woman’s solution was a flat-out bribe: she gave her kids each a buck every month the electric bill was cheaper than for the same month the year before. It saved the family about $20 every month--a small fortune. http://owlhaven.net/2012/01/20/getting-kids-to-turn-off-lights/

Replace incandescent bulbs with LED lights, but, buyer, do be aware that not all LED’s are created equal. Watch carefully for Energy Star ratings. 

Regular HVAC Maintenance

Does your HVAC filter look like the dryer lint trap mated with a Wookie? Get in the habit of changing it regularly. Regular professional maintenance of your HVAC will not only save you money but will also extend the life of the unit — double win.

Water appliances

A water heater represents an average of 20% of your electric bill. Even lowering the temperature from 140 degrees to 120 degrees will make a difference. When it’s time to replace your water heater, consider buying one with an Energy Star rating. 

Washing machines have been designed to get clothes cleaner, and laundry detergents have been designed to work more effectively. Therefore, it makes sense to use the lowest possible temperature setting when washing clothes. Also, consider using the shorter wash cycle and shutting off that extra rinse--unless you work at a meatpacking plant.

Dryer

Oddly enough, a clothes pole above the washing machine might save you more money than you think. Because we live in such a dry climate, many people shut their dryer off before it can dry their clothes completely, preferring, instead, to hang them while they are still damp to air dry them. 

Speaking of dryers, if you clean the lint trap after every load, your dryer will work more efficiently and last longer. 

Appliances

Use the oven in winter and crockpot in the summertime--or the grill. Don’t forget to flip the switch on your ceiling fan, so the blades rotate in the clockwise direction. All of these little tricks on their own don’t amount to much, but over time, you’ll find your monthly bill for the same time last year was higher. 

Want to save even more? Talk to your electrician during your next scheduled maintenance or service call about going Smart.

If you need a highly-reviewed, licensed electrician in the Phoenix Valley area, call Efficient Electric at 623-900-1461. We would love to hear from you!