Orlando Residential Electrician
June is National Homeownership Month. We’re celebrating by offering Florida homeowners energy saving tips just in time for summer. National Homeownership Month was created in 1995 by the White House to promote the benefits of homeownership among Americans. The Florida Realtors organization, based in Orlando, points out that “Beyond the emotional benefits, homeownership builds household wealth. A homeowner’s average net worth in 2019 was $254,500 – about 40 times that of a renter at $6,270, according to the Federal Reserve.” Read on for some energy saving tips for homes that will allow you to put more money in savings and spend less on your monthly electric bill.
Energy Saving Tips
Whether you are a first time home buyer or a longtime homeowner, these energy saving tips are for you. Take advantage of National Homeowners Month to increase your savings as a homeowner by making improvements to your home’s energy efficiency.
1. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient LED Lighting
Installing energy efficient LED lightbulbs and Energy Star® light fixtures in your home can cut down on your energy expenditures for lighting by 50 to 75%. On average, energy for lighting takes up 11% of your monthly energy bill, so this is a great area to start with your energy savings.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Our AC costs are our number one culprit for high energy bills, and usually take up the largest portion of our energy bill each month with appliances as a close second. Installing a thermostat that you can program will help you save energy. Auto-adjust the thermostat to a higher temperature for times that you will be out of the house, and program your night-time temperature if you prefer to keep a cooler house while sleeping. With an automated thermostat connected to your phone, you don’t have to worry about whether you remembered to adjust the AC before leaving home.
3. Use Smart Power Strips
Smart power strips are designed to cut down on your “phantom load” or “vampire load.” These scary terms describe the energy that is pulled to appliances, lights, and electronic devices even when they are turned off. A smart power strip user sensors to disconnect the power supply when your devices are not in use, saving you $200 per year on average. Learn more about smart power strips.
4. Add a Door Sweep Under Doors
A door sweep is the flexible strip of rubber or bristles under your door that prevents cool air from escaping your home, and also serves as a barrier to critters. If your home does not have a door sweep for exterior doors, this barrier will help you save on energy costs.
5. Add a Gasket Around Electrical Outlets
Electrical outlets are another area where cool AC can escape into the hot Florida outdoors. Install a rubber gasket on the back of your electrical outlets to prevent air from escaping.
6. Use Caulk to Seal Other Air Leaks
Inspect your home for other cracks and crevices leading to the outdoors, and seal them with caulk or insulating foam when appropriate.
7. Use Your Ceiling Fan
A ceiling fan can make a room feel 4 degrees cooler with no additional energy costs. This is a great way to cut down on the cost of your AC bill in the summer. Experiment with the temperature of your home by a few degrees and notice the difference in your monthly energy usage report. Our residential electrician team provides ceiling fan installation if you would like to install additional ceiling fans in your home.
8. Replace Air Filters Regularly
Did your replace your AC air filter this month? Consider this your reminder. Your AC unit works harder when the air filter is dirty, increasing your energy costs. With the Florida heat, a dirty air filter can even cause your AC unit to malfunction, creating unnecessary repair costs. Set a reminder and replace your AC air filter regularly.
9. Find Out If You Need a New Electrical Panel or Rewiring
Once you have taken all of the energy saving measures listed here, you may find that your energy bill is still unusually high. If you live in an older home, have a trusted electrician inspect your electrical panel and home wiring. While these upgrades should only be made if necessary, a damaged electrical panel or faulty wiring can be an overlooked cause of a higher energy bill. See our Electrical Questions When Buying or Selling a House article to learn more about home rewiring.
New homes are built specifically for energy efficiency, with better windows, energy efficient appliances and AC units, and a better layout for AC ducts and airflow. Many older homes were built before the use of AC was widespread, are not design for best airflow or insulation. In subsequent years, technology has improved with every decade to increase energy efficiency. You can make your home even more energy efficient by sealing any gaps and cracks that lead to the outside and installing Energy Star appliances & lighting.
Monitor your electric bill to find out which days of the week have the highest usage, which will give you clues as to what appliances are using the most energy. For example, if Saturday is laundry day and it shows a huge usage spike every month, consider upgrading your washer and dryer to an energy efficient version. Check out the tips in this article as well our previous articles on to save more money on your electric bill.
The number one use of energy in our homes is our heating and cooling. Consider adjusting your thermostat by a few degrees in both the summer and winter and monitor the changes to your electric bill. Additionally, see our tips above for reducing energy use related to Energy Star® appliances, filling gaps around electrical outlets and doors, and upgrading to energy-efficient LED lighting.
Lighting Installation Near Me
If you would like assistance upgrading your lighting to energy efficient LED light fixtures or would like an assessment of your electrical panel and home wiring, our residential electrician team will be happy to assist you. Palmer Electric is the longest operating electrical company in Central Florida, with 70 years in business. Contact us today to get in touch with an expert residential electrician or call us at (407) 646-8700.
