One of the most common questions electricians are asked, when they come to work at residences, is why energy bills are so high. One of the things many people do not realize is that the reason for their high electricity bills could be some of the habits and behaviors they exhibit, each day. Consider the following.
You Need New Light Bulbs
Did you know the light bulbs you use each day can greatly impact how much you spend on your electricity bill? Change out old light bulbs to CFL and LED lights, which are much more energy-efficient and still offer excellent lighting for your home.
You Have an Air Leak
One of the common culprits for wasted electricity is a leak within your home. Leaks can be windows, doors, and other cracks that allow your cool or hot air to escape. Older homes are more likely to experience leaks, as they often were not built with the idea of being airtight in mind. You may need to caulk areas of the home that are more conducive to leaks.
Your Equipment Is Outdated
No matter the age of your home, you could have a system that is outdated, allowing your home to be more inefficient than you expect. For example, your HVAC system may be inefficient, in that it takes up more energy than a newer system might. You could be spending a lot of money on your electricity bill, simply because your current unit isn't up to snuff. New technology keeps units running much more efficiently and within your budget.
You Have Too Many Items Plugged In
Your electrician may recommend unplugging certain items when you are not using them. These items tend to pull a lot of energy, even if you are not currently using them. Microwaves, phone chargers, and coffee makers can all continue to use energy, simply because they are plugged in.
You Don't Do Maintenance
When you notice something isn't working correctly or as efficiently as it should, you need to call a professional. Whether you have an HVAC problem or an electricity problem, a professional is the right person to diagnose the issue and get your energy bill back down.
Now that you have some understanding of the energy-related mistakes you might be making, you should see some decrease in your energy bill. If your new behaviors do not result in changes, your next step might be to call an electrician to determine if something is happening behind the scenes, of which you might not be aware. For more questions, contact a company like Central Electric Inc.
