One of the best ways to reign in your budget is to save money on your electrical bill. If you’re living in Texas, you might think this is impossible. But, building an eco-friendly home used to be impossible as well and now they are pretty standard. It’s the same as saving on electricity costs – it can be done if you find a way.
You can try looking up the lowest Texas electricity rate plans, and you can also find ways to save money using these tips:
Not In Use? Turn Them Off
Most of the time, discipline is an effective way of reducing electricity costs. If you keep your appliances running even if you are not using them, your utility costs will rack up. It would be best to plug these in a shared power strip, so it is easy to turn off a group of appliances such as the television, DVR, and speakers with only one button.
It would also be wise to get smart appliances so you can enable power-saving mode when they are not in use.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a great option if you want to lessen the use of your air conditioner or furnace. They are great for improving the circulation of cold and heat, depending on what the season requires. You can switch the control of the ceiling fan’s motor to adjust its spin. When you want to circulate the heat, you run it clockwise. If you need to cool the room, you can run it in a counterclockwise direction. Turn off the ceiling fan if you are leaving the room to save energy.
Practice Regular Air Conditioner Maintenance
In Texas, the spike in utility bills often comes from the prolonged use of your air conditioner. If your air conditioning system is used all day and night, it consumes a lot of power and that costs a lot of money. Changing the air filters often would help the A/C maximize its airflow. If your filter is clean, it will have better air intake, allowing it to perform optimally.
Purchase Energy Star Appliances
If you see appliances with the Energy Star rating, it means that they are more energy-efficient. You consume about 20 to 50 percent less electricity compared with appliances with non Energy Star-rated appliances.
Use LED Lighting
Compared to the past, LED lighting is now much cheaper, and this is something you should take advantage of. By using LED light, you consume less electricity: about a 30 percent reduction per bulb. So imagine the electricity savings if all your lighting was LED.
Plan Your Plants
Texas temperature means that you should have heat-tolerant plants. When you have them, make sure that you carefully plan their placement. It would also be a smart move to shade an outdoor condenser with a plant. Cooling your condenser means it has to work less to cool your home. However, you must ensure that you don’t place it too close to prevent grass clippings and weeds from blocking the proper flow of air.
Request for An Energy Audit
One of the best ways to understand your energy consumption is by requesting an energy audit. It can help you identify which areas of your home have the highest cost so you can adjust your electricity usage accordingly.
Perhaps one of the most effective ways of reducing your energy consumption is by getting every household member involved in energy-saving techniques. Teach your kids how they can participate in your frugal (Six Dollar Family) ways. For example, timing their usage of gadgets can significantly lower your electricity bills plus help limit their screen time.