Today, the demand for more electricity has never been greater due to all the high-tech devices running our lives. Additionally, many could argue that prices for everything have never been higher, including energy costs. Because of these bleak facts of life, many of us are looking for ways to save money and electricity. The good news is that you can save hundreds of dollars per year on your utility bill by making a few simple changes within your home.
Below, professional electricians at Lombardi Electric break down the top ways to manage your home electricity usage and save a few bucks.
Lombardi Electric is a residential, commercial, and industrial electrical service company based in Alexandria, Louisiana. We are Alexandria’s top solar panel sales, installation, and repair company to help our customers save energy and, in turn, save money. Call 318-545-7575 to speak with an Alexandria electrician today.
Why is My Electric Bill So High?
If you’ve been wondering, “Why is my electric bill so high?” there are several factors to consider. As a leading Alexandria electrical services company, Lombardi Electric understands that an unexpectedly high energy bill can be a source of stress.
Often, the primary culprit is the cost of heating and cooling your home. These systems are the biggest consumers of electricity in most households. You must ensure your heating and cooling systems are running efficiently to save electricity. Regular maintenance, upgrading to more efficient home energy models, and using programmable thermostats can contribute significantly to saving money on your monthly bills.
Another factor to consider is the age and efficiency of your appliances and electrical systems. Older appliances tend to consume more power. If you can do so, making a major investment in modern, efficient appliances can save you more money in the long run. Look for products with the Energy Star label, which indicates they meet efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Additionally, consider contacting your electric company for an energy audit. This can help identify specific areas where you can improve efficiency. Remember, small changes can lead to significant savings over time. Lombardi Electric is always here to offer expert advice and electrical services in Alexandria to help you manage your power consumption effectively.
How Your Energy Bill is Calculated
Before diving into the methods to lower your electric bill, it’s essential to understand how it’s calculated. Your monthly electricity bill is derived from your household’s kilowatt-hours (kWh). Every electrical device or appliance in your home has a power rating, often expressed in watts. As you use these devices, they consume power, and you’re billed accordingly.
Other factors that influence electric bills include demand charges, taxes, fees, and in some areas, time-of-use rates.
What is the Average Monthly Cost of Electricity in Louisiana?
The cost of electricity in Louisiana is often highest in the hot and humid summer months, especially due to air conditioning use. According to the Energy Information Administration, Louisiana residents pay around 12 cents per kWh, with an average monthly electric bill of about $110. However, utility bills for residential customers can fluctuate based on individual usage, the time of year, and the specific service provider.
How to Lower Your Electric Bill
Now, let’s dive into the strategies you can implement in your life to cut down not only on home energy usage but also on your energy bill.
Request an Energy Audit
Determining what appliances make up most of your home’s energy usage is always a good idea– making small cuts costs the most money. You can get this information from an energy audit.
An energy audit, sometimes called an assessment, is a comprehensive and systematic approach to evaluate how and where power is consumed in a home or building.
When you request an energy audit from electricians at Lombardi Electric, we’ll meticulously assess your property, from insulation levels to appliance efficiency. We will then identify areas where energy is lost, inefficiencies in your heating and cooling systems, and potential vulnerabilities in energy consumed in your home.
Post-assessment, we’ll provide you with a detailed report highlighting areas of concern and recommending tailored solutions to optimize energy use. By understanding these specific areas and implementing the suggested measures, homeowners can prioritize upgrades and interventions to save electricity and money.
Furthermore, an energy audit can also pinpoint potential safety concerns, such as faulty wiring or overloaded circuits, making it a cost-saving strategy and a measure to enhance home safety. It’s a pivotal first step for anyone serious about making their living space more efficient and sustainable.
Switch to Solar
Solar panels are a major upfront investment, but they can help you save a fortune on your electric bill in the long run. Solar panels turn direct sunlight into electricity and bring these top benefits of solar energy benefits to homeowners.
Lombardi Electric specializes in Alexandria solar panel services, from Alexandria solar panel installation, to Alexandria solar panel maintenance and repair. You can drastically cut down or even eliminate your electricity costs by harnessing the sun’s power. Solar panels can often generate more power than a household consumes, allowing homeowners to sell excess power back to the grid.
Whether you’re just looking or are ready to buy solar panels in Alexandria, get a free Alexandria solar quote from Lombardi Electric today, and allow us to help you save energy, money, and the planet.
Turn Off the Air Conditioning When You’re Not Using It
Many people leave their air conditioner running even when they’re at work for eight hours every day. Turning off or adjusting the temperature on the air conditioner when you’re out can save your wallet and your HVAC system from excessive wear and tear.
If you’re worried that turning off your air conditioning will make your home too hot when you get home, consider turning on your ceiling fans while you’re gone to help save money on your electricity bills.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
If you can’t remember to manually adjust your thermostat every day before you go to work, our home automation services in Alexandria, LA can help.
A programmable thermostat adjusts temperatures based on your settings for specific times of the day. For instance, with a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature to rise at work and cool down shortly before you return.
For smartphone users, opt for a programmable thermostat that allows you to make these changes from your phone. Again, not only does this simple upgrade allow you to decrease daily energy consumed, but decreases annual heating and cooling costs as well.
Clean HVAC Units, Air Ducts, Air Filters, and Air Vents
One effective strategy to lower your electric bill is to clean your air conditioning vents and units regularly. Over time, dust and debris can accumulate in these areas, causing your system to work harder and consume more energy. Cleaning the vents helps ensure that air flows freely, improving the efficiency of your system.
Additionally, it’s crucial to check and replace your air filters regularly. Clogged filters restrict airflow and significantly increase power usage, as your system has to compensate for the reduced air circulation. A well-maintained system not only reduces your energy bills but also prolongs the lifespan of your equipment.
Check Home Insulation
Proper home insulation plays a vital role in reducing your electric bill. Insulation helps to prevent heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, thereby reducing the workload on your HVAC system.
Start by checking for air leaks around windows and doors and sealing them with weather strips. This will minimize the amount of hot air entering your home during summer and cold air during winter, leading to less energy use for heating and cooling.
Additionally, inspect your air ducts to ensure they are well-sealed and insulated, as leaky ducts can cause you to lose heat in winter and gain cool air in summer. Proper insulation and sealing can significantly affect your home’s efficiency.
Switch to Energy Star Appliances
Energy Star-rated appliances are designed to be more efficient than their non-rated counterparts. These energy-efficient appliances get their name and rating from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which sets strict efficiency guidelines designed to reduce environmental impact. While they might cost more upfront, they’ll save you money in the long run through reduced consumption.
Energy Star offers several energy-efficient appliances, including washers, dryers, food service equipment, heating and cooling equipment, light bulbs, fridge and freezer units, and more!
For more information about how to tell what appliances are using the most electricity, contact Alexandria electricians at Lombardi Electric today.
Switch to LED Lighting
Traditional incandescent bulbs waste a lot of power and money. On the other hand, LED lighting consumes up to 80% less and lasts longer, providing double the savings, especially if you’re using these in conjunction with dimmer switches.
If you’re concerned that your outdoor lighting is using too much power, look into the many advantages of outdoor LED lighting or consider lights that come with dimmer switches.
At Lombardi Electric, we offer not only electrical repairs and maintenance but also Alexandria lighting design services that won’t increase your energy bill. Call a member of our team at 318-545-7575 to learn more.
Unplug Power-Hungry Devices
One effective yet simple method to reduce your electricity bill is to be mindful of the devices plugged into your electrical outlets. Many electronic devices and appliances continue to draw power even when they’re turned off, a phenomenon known as ‘phantom load.’
To combat this, consider using smart power strips, which can intelligently cut off power to devices that are not in use. This type of power strip not only makes it more convenient to manage multiple devices but also helps significantly reduce unnecessary power consumption.
By unplugging power-hungry devices or using smart solutions, you can ensure you’re not paying for electricity you’re not actively using. This small change in your daily habits can lead to noticeable savings on your electricity bill over time.
Use Smart Power Strips
Smart power strips are designed to combat the common issue of phantom energy. This smart power strip detects when a device is in standby mode and cuts off power, eliminating wasteful electric usage. By plugging your electronics into smart power strips, you can ensure that devices aren’t sipping power when not in use, leading to notable savings on your electric bill.
Take Advantage of Off-Peak Hours
Some providers offer reduced rates during hours when consumers typically don’t power on heavy-hitting appliances, typically at night. This means that energy use is cheaper than it is during the day. So, using power-intensive appliances during these times can result in major savings.
Wash Clothes in Cold Water
An often overlooked but effective way to reduce your electricity bill is to wash laundry in cold water instead of hot water. When you wash clothes in cold water, this significantly cuts down the power used to get the hot water.
The water heater in many homes is a major power consumer, and by switching from hot water to cold water, you reduce the demand for this appliance. This change also preserves the fabric and color of your clothes.
In addition to using cold water instead of hot water, consider line drying your clothes instead of using the heat dry function on your dryer. Opting out of the heat dry function can further reduce your energy consumption, contributing to lower electricity costs.
Incorporating these simple changes in your laundry routine can significantly reduce your overall water heating and electricity expenses.
Adjust Your Water Heater Temperature
Water heaters are often set to a default temperature higher than most households need. By adjusting your water heater temperature to a lower setting, such as 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you can save on energy costs and reduce the risk of scalding.
Lowering the temperature ensures the heater uses less power to maintain the set temperature. This reduces energy usage and can lower your energy bill. It’s a simple adjustment that can be a game changer for saving energy and money every year.
Replace Your Shower Head
Another common tip is taking shorter showers, but if you’re unwilling to sacrifice your shower time, you may experience significant savings by switching to an energy-efficient showerhead.
Traditional shower heads can use a significant amount of water, which might be wasted, especially if outdated or inefficient. By replacing your shower head with a low-flow or energy-efficient model, you can drastically reduce the amount of water you use during each shower without compromising the pressure or quality of your shower experience. Less water usage means your water heater doesn’t have to work as hard. This helps you save energy and reduce your energy bill.
Use a New Dishwasher Instead of Hand Washing
While it may seem that hand-washing dishes is more energy-efficient than a dishwasher, modern dishwashers have proven otherwise. Today’s dishwashers are designed to be efficient and use less water than hand washing, especially when full, even with hot water usage.
If you’re still clinging to the belief that hand washing saves more on utility costs, consider this: hand washing can use up to 27 gallons of water per load, while energy-efficient dishwashers might use as little as 3 gallons. Switching to a new dishwasher not only saves you time and effort but also significantly cuts down on your water and power consumption.
Want Lower Energy Costs? Call Lombardi Electric Today
If you’re ready to cut down on your home’s energy usage and annual electricity bills, you’re in the right place. With our electric company’s comprehensive range of services – from audits to Alexandria solar panel installations – you can experience major savings.
Whether you’re a residential, commercial, or industrial client, Lombardi Electric is your trusted partner in efficient and sustainable energy solutions. Call 318-545-7575 to speak with one of our Alexandria electricians today.
