October is Energy Awareness Month, a perfect time to take a step back and really look at the way you use electricity in the home. Your electric bill is one of the major costs of home ownership, but many don’t realize how much of that money goes to waste in the average home. To trim your electric bill and help both your wallet and the environment, electricians recommend looking at the following appliances.

Where Your Energy Is Going

Heating & Cooling

This is by far the biggest use of energy in most homes, making up almost half of your monthly bill. To save on heating and cooling costs, try setting your thermostat a little higher in summer and lower in winter so your system doesn’t have to work as hard. You can also replace your current HVAC equipment with EnergyStar appliances, which have been certified as energy-efficient options.

Water Heater

Heating water throughout the day is another energy-intensive task. Try turning down the temperature on your water heater, and also take shorter showers to use up less heated water each day. Organize laundry days to keep hot-water loads to a minimum.

Lighting

Your light fixtures and lamps account for roughly one eighth of your home’s electricity use. The classic energy-saving move is to turn off lights that aren’t being used and make sure everything is off when you leave the home. You can also choose energy-efficient light bulbs like LEDs; although they are sometimes more expensive, they more than make up for the investment in energy savings and lifespan.

For more energy-saving advice tailored to your home, have your electrician perform a home inspection to tell you where your power is going. For over 45 years, Etheridge Electric Company in Hahira, GA, has provided Lowndes County with trained and experienced electrician’s services and top-quality customer support. To schedule a visit, call (229) 794-2148 or reach out online.