If you’ve ever thought, “I’m spending too much on my energy bill each month,” you might be on to something. High electric bills are directly related to the way you use electricity in your home. Several homeowners end up paying far too much because of one or more inefficient appliances in the home.
Here are a couple of suggestions that can help you to start lowering your power bill today:
Breakdown of Home Appliance Energy Usage
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, homes account for 30% of the total amount of electricity used in the United States, which is more than either the commercial or the industrial sector uses.
Identifying the appliance that’s using the most power in your home can be tricky, but it’s worth it to save energy and lower your electricity bill. The following list pinpoints the top devices that affect your home’s energy usage:
Air Conditioning – If you have a central air system, a significant amount of energy is necessary to change the temperature of your home. Install a programmable thermostat to limit the volume of energy used to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.
Cable Boxes – Unfortunately, constant communication with external sources also translates to constant power use when it comes to this device. If possible, ask for an ENERGY STAR rated set-top box from your cable provider.
Chargers – Relying on smartphones and computers is a fact of life, but using too much power to charge these devices shouldn’t be. Research the energy saving qualities of your current chargers, and replace with energy efficient ones, if necessary.
Furnace – Arguably one of the most important appliances in your home, during the winter months your heating system consumes the most energy in your home. Once again, installing a programmable thermostat will allow you to control the temperature of your home throughout the day.
Gaming Consoles – Most modern gaming consoles are equipped with standby modes to save energy. However, using these devices to play games or even watch movies results in a high energy bill each month.
Microwave – This appliance consumes more energy when not in use, requiring power to maintain the electronic push buttons in standby mode and illuminate the clock. Consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient model to save on your electricity bill.
Refrigerator – This home appliance is constantly running, which makes it the largest energy consumer. Check to see if there’s a power-saver switch in your fridge and turn it off; if there isn’t any resulting condensation, you don’t need to use that feature.
At Shockley Electric, we are happy to meet all your electrical residential needs. With over a decade of experience and an unrestricted electrical license in the state of Georgia, we take great pride in being Marietta’s best electrician. Please feel free to contact us with any electrical request or call (770) 630-6858 with any questions about your home’s energy use.
