Home Energy Hogs
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to reduce sky-rocketing electric bills. The bad news is that some of the solutions have expensive up-front costs. There are always ways to efficiently manage the electric budget, but knowing which gadgets require the most power will help a homeowner concentrate on areas that will help the most.
Here is a list of the biggest energy hogs in a home and ways to reduce their energy consumption.
Heating
Heating is one of the worst offenders in terms of energy usage. Typically, heating siphons more than 40% of the monthly energy bill. Heating is necessary during the colder months, but there are always options to lower its cost even during these periods.
Solutions:
Turn the thermostat down. It’s no fun being cold, but even a one-degree difference usually results in a 1% cost reduction for heating.
Invest in a programmable thermostat. While the best ones aren’t cheap, they can cut down on heating costs by lowering the heat during warmer times of day, and some can even heat separate rooms at a time.
Invest in proper insulation. Plugging up the attic, ductworks, and drafty windows or doors can make a noticeable difference in reducing how much heat is escaping from the house.
Change the heating source. Geothermal systems can warm up a floor fast and rely on underground water, which is heated and circulated through the floors. It’s a serious investment but can be well worth the price in a larger house.
Cooling
Next on the list is cooling. Trying to keep a house cool can be an energy hog in warmer states, but most people can’t make it without air conditioning. It can account for about 10% of the monthly bill.
Solutions:
As with the heating system, using a programmable thermostat can help reduce energy usage in the summer months.
Use fans instead of an AC. While they don’t technically cool the room down, they bring a much-needed breeze at a fraction of the energy cost.
If you have an older air conditioning system, the quickest way to solve the cooling problem may be to install a new, more energy efficient model.
Water heating
Another significant energy user in a house can be the water heater. When looking for ways to cut down on the energy bill, regulating water heating can be one of the simplest avenues to take.
Solutions:
If you have an older water heater, have a more energy-efficient one installed.
Install low-flow faucets to cut down on water use.
Lower the temperature on the boiler. Water doesn’t need to be scalding hot.
Electronics
With so many appliances and electronics in a house, it’s no wonder they siphon an impressive portion of the monthly energy bill with their use. Modern problems require modern solutions, so here are some of our top picks:
Use smarter power management settings on electronics. Forcing PCs and TVs to shut down automatically will make them use less electricity overall.
Plug electronics into power-suppression strips and connect devices that rely on the PC to it. When the PC is off, the monitor, speakers, printers, and everything else will stop using reserve power along with it.
Buy a better TV. Newer models use less electricity while delivering a higher picture quality.
If you have any questions about cutting down electricity costs even further or need to overhaul your cooling and heating systems with new tech, contact a local electrician for more information.
ACT Electric performs quality, licensed and bonded work at affordable prices for both residential and commercial jobs. From troubleshooting to whole-house electrical renovations, their primary concern is the comfort and safety of their customers. Give them a call at (480)986-1722 today!
