Electric bills can skyrocket quickly. Using water, lights, and appliances in excess of your normal usage can put an additional burden on your expenses. The good news for homeowners is that there are ways to minimize your costs. Taking a few of these steps will start you on the path to an energy-conserving lifestyle while reducing the possibility of electrical repairs in the process. Here are three tips to keep in mind.

How to Reduce Your Energy Costs

1. Adjust the Thermostat

According to the United States Department of Energy, lowering your thermostat by up to 10°F from its usual setting for up to eight hours a day may save you up to 10% on your heating and cooling costs. The best time to take advantage of this is when you’re out during the day and no one else is home. Investing in a smart thermostat makes it easy to program the setting so that it adjusts according to your specific needs.

2. Unplug Your Appliances

Many small household appliances are known as “energy vampires,” or items that suck up the available energy in your home on any given day. Some of the most grievous offenders are desktop and laptop computers, televisions, coffeemakers, lamps, and toasters. Make it a point to unplug these items when you’re done using them. Doing so will also protect these items from damage in the event of a storm.

3. Swap Your Lightbulbs

If you still use incandescent lightbulbs, you can make a quick difference by replacing them with light emitting diodes, or LEDs. The incandescent bulb produces an extreme amount of heat without generating much light, which wastes considerable energy. In addition to overheating, some bulbs may exceed the wattage of the fixture and pose a safety threat. If your fixture develops an odor or makes a noise, have an electrical repair technician take a look. You don’t have to worry about such issues with LEDs, which use less energy to produce longer-lasting light.  You should be looking at two things when buying lightbulbs, lumens and Kelvins.  Lumens measure how much light you are getting from a bulb. The more lumens you have means it's a brighter and more light output.  Kelvin’s range from typically 2,700 to 5,000 plus.  The more Kelvin’s you have the whiter the lightbulb you will have so make sure you are comparing these numbers when buying new lightbulbs.  

 

Are you seeking a dependable residential electrician? Turn to the team at WM Electric. Based in St. Louis, MO, the family-owned and -operated business proudly offers a variety of services throughout the community. From electrical repairs to general maintenance, the licensed and bonded electricians are prepared to handle it all. Visit them online for information about these services, or call (314) 802-0001 to schedule an appointment.