Residential electricity bills can put a real drain on your wallet, especially during the hot, summer months. While you can’t eliminate it completely, there are ways that homeowners can dramatically reduce their bill by making some simple changes.
Use Cooler Water
Electric water heaters are a part of modern life that many don’t want to live without. However, the higher the temperature setting, the more energy that the appliance uses. Check the thermostat on the water heater and lower it to no higher than 120 degrees. At this temperature, you can still safety wash clothes and dishes but won’t pay for extra heat.
Programmable Thermostats
A programmable thermostat is one of the best ways to reduce your electricity bill because it reduces the amount of time that your air conditioner runs. You can set these thermostats to raise the temperature while you’re at work or away from the home. Then, set it to a lower temperature just before you are scheduled to return. You will never even notice the temperature difference, but your electricity bill will show the results. Some newer thermostats can even learn your habits without any intervention on your part. Contact an electrician in Miami if you don’t feel comfortable installing your own thermostat.
Unplug Devices
Turning off all lights and electronic devices when they are not in use is a must for anyone trying to save money. However, many of these devices continue to use energy, even when they are not turned on. Items such as cable boxes, digital clocks, DVRs and even cell phones still use energy when they are plugged in. For this reason, unplug all of these items when they are not in use to prevent from wasting money. A good rule of thumb is that any device that has a clock or a light is using energy.
White Roofs
Homes with white or light-colored roofing require much less energy to cool in the summer. That’s because the lighter color reflects the sun’s rays and heat, rather than absorbing them like black roofs. There are special reflective paints that are designed to reflect heat, thus cooling the interior of the home.
While most of these fixes are items that home owners can easily do themselves, you can also have a Miami electrician perform the tasks for you.