Here at Eric M. Krise Electrical Contractors we are always ready to help you save on your electric use whether at home or at your business. After all, saving on electricity is saving on your electric bill and puts money in your pocket.
Each change of season can offer new ways to save and that includes ways to save in the winter when we lose a lot of sunshine.
Of course, turning down the thermostat and maybe throwing on a sweater is usually the first winter tip, whether or not your home uses electric heat, but there are lots more.
So here’s best advice for saving electricity this winter season (and sometimes for any season) to help keep those bills down.
Always run your dishwasher full. Most dishwashers are designed to be at their most energy and water efficient when they are full. If you have heated dish drying, turn it off and let the dishes dry on their own.
A low flow shower head reduces water use. In the winter, that means less use of hot water which your water heater uses electricity to heat. Insulating your water heater—which is often found in unheated spaces like basements and garages—can also significantly reduce your energy loss. Even if the water heater is in a heated space, an insulation blanket will save power. You should also keep your water heater set to 120 degrees, which helps reduce heat loss.
Simply cleaning the condenser coil on your refrigerator can improve its efficiency. Plus, if you have an older model fridge, consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR model, which typically has a more energy-efficient compressor, better insulation and temperature controls that offers energy savings that conventional models can’t.
Clean your furnace filter every two months. This can increase its efficiency by 50 percent.
Timers can be one of the great savings devices in your energy use strategy. Timers can be used to turn outdoor and indoor lights off late at night. They can also be used for space heaters and holiday lights.
Caulk and insulate. Energy loss is high at windows and anywhere else your heated air can escape outside. Double pane windows are a help, but any window opening should be caulked and insulated. Storm windows can also drastically cut heat loss.
Unplug electronic devices. Many have features that use power even when not in use. This is called a vampire draw, and who wants vampires in the house?
We’ve told you this one before, but replace old incandescent bulbs with energy efficient CFL bulbs. Incandescent lights use 90 percent of their energy giving off heat, not light. You may lose that heat in the winter, but that shouldn’t outweigh the savings.
Use your dryer back to back. When drying clothes, have multiple loads ready to go rather than heating the dryer heat up from scratch for each load.
Open the curtains during the day. There may be less natural sunlight in winter, but what there is can still help heat up a room. But remember to close them at night to reduce heat loss.
Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper allows warm air to go right up the chimney.
Do you live in Gloucester County and need electrical installation or repairs? Call us at 856.769.3932.