Blog & News
Four Tips to Save on
Your Energy Costs
As inflation sets in and prices rise, cash flow becomes a concern for households across the United States and elsewhere. In addition to rises in food prices and those of general merchandise, energy and fuel prices are also climbing. These necessary goods and services can not be put off as though they were luxury items. Yet there are ways to shave these expenditures, particularly in the area of energy consumption, to more reasonable levels. In fact, a family can reduce their usage of gas and electricity with ease, all without lowering the comfort or quality of life.
1. Plug the leaks.
When hot or cool air escapes from a house, the heating or air conditioning systems work that much harder to maintain the set temperature inside a house or building. The harder the system works, the more you pay in utility bills. When perforations and fissures in the house are sealed, the system can labor less and save more. The United States Department of Energy recommends, among other remedies, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, caulking and sealing those places where plumbing and electrical wiring penetrate floors, ceilings, walls and soffits. They also recommend placing foam gaskets behind the plating for light switches and electrical outlets.
2. Purchase the Most Energy-Efficient Lights.
Light-emitting diodes or LEDs are superior to halogen bulbs in that they can use up to 80 percent less energy. In addition, they are good for 25,000 hours of usage. Generally invulnerable to shattering, LED bulbs work for a very long tome before replacement is necessary. On the other hand, halogen bulbs contain fragile filament and vibrations from nearby appliances can and will abbreviate their life-spans. Another way to conserve energy is by removing lights where they are unnecessary, in a sun room for example.
3. Shut Down Technological Devices.
A desktop computer, laptop, iPad or smartphone can still expend power when not in active use. Simply logging off seems like the easy and convenient way to deal with devices but they are still drawing power while they sleep. By contrast, shutting the devices down causes the computer to cease receiving any energy from the household electrical system. True, powering up is more time-consuming but it is nevertheless easier on the available power supplies. Unlike older computers and devices, recent models experience very little power surge when booted in the morning and turned off at night.
4. Invest in Solar Panels.
Purchasing and installing solar panels can be a pricey investment, depending on the size of the house. Conversely, solar power panels are demonstrated to, in many cases, lower costs of electricity, especially in states like Florida where sunshine is abundant. In warm-weather regions, solar energy from the sun is captured in the afternoon, exactly the time when air conditioners are using the most electrical power. Furthermore, many utilities purchase surplus energy generated from solar panels, offsetting even more the high price of electricity. These panels might be a wise long-term investment.