Jul 12, 2016

9 Ways to Significantly Reduce Your Electric Bill



Perhaps the most appealing energy conservation activity for both residential and commercial energy consumers is to reduce electric bill. And what energy user would not be enticed by the potential savings that are expected to result from converting to power saver appliances and following simple save electricity tips. To reduce electric bill is a meaningful first step towards showing commitment to reduce one’s carbon footprint and help minimize pollution. Although, energy consumers should never settle and limit themselves to committing efforts solely on reducing energy bills.
 
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As with anything, there will always come newer and better ways to reduce electric bill. More and more people are now highly aware of the ill effects of overuse and misuse in energy consumption and how they can take their part in preventing the eventual depletion of the Earth’s finite energy sources. This is primarily because of private, government, and non-government entities’ recognition of the importance of everyone doing something to protect the environment.

Apart from the usual save electricity tips, there are other activities one can do at home to beat rising electricity rates. For property owners or occupants looking at promoting energy efficiency at home, optimizing the energy use of air cooling or heating systems should be the top priority, as this comprises a huge chunk of the electric bill. One of the ways to reduce electric bill is by trying to improve the temperature and air quality within your own homes particularly during summertime by keeping in mind and considering the following: 

1.     First and foremost, the structure itself should support ample ventilation. But even if natural ventilation is maximized, it might not be sufficient during windless summers. In such case, electric fans, air coolers, and air conditioners would have to be utilized.

2.     During summer months, electricity prices spike because of high demand. The temptation is great to go for convenience over scrimping but it does not necessarily have to be a choice between saving electricity by enduring the heat and maximizing the use of energy without sacrificing the convenience of the home occupants. The key lies on being more resourceful when it comes to managing the home’s energy use.

3.     Maximize the door and window use. You may opt to open them during the hot summer season to promote good air flow between the indoor and outdoor environment. By doing so, you are not just improving the comfort of the home’s occupants, you are also encouraging a healthier, fresher air for the indoors.

4.     Know where the breeze naturally blows. Make the most of the airflow to keep the hot air out and the cool breeze in. Complement the breeze by placing an electric fan in between the home occupant and an open door or window. This would assist the air movement indoors.

5.     Where’s the sunshine? Also identify where the afternoon sun’s rays would hit and minimize its effect on the indoor temperature by either avoiding staying in that area or use blinds, window shades, or curtains. These can prevent the amount of light and its accompanying heat from entering the openings. Afternoon sun brings with it a harsher amount of heat than morning’s sun rays so it is essential to address this concern.

6.     Check your ceiling height. The room’s height from the floor to the ceiling is a big factor in improving indoor temperature. The ideal distance would be between 2.75 meters to 4 meters in order to promote air circulation.

7.     Minimize the use of heat-producing appliances at home. Heat from these appliances can radiate through the air and affect the comfort of the occupants. You may try to do the necessary heat generating activities such as cooking or ironing at night time when air within the homes is significantly cooler. By doing so, the amount of heat that gets trapped within the rooms will be minimized.

8.     Change the paint color. Even the home owners’ choice of paint color for the walls and ceiling can either contribute to the rise or lessen the indoor temperature. Go for light colors that can reflect light instead of opting for darker hues which tend to absorb more heat.

9.     Plant more trees. Tall trees can offer your home some shade, which significantly lowers the temperature within. Even small plants and bushes can cool the surrounding atmosphere and improve the air quality. Green is also a cooling color so consider filling your surroundings with as much live plants as you can.

Surely there are other ways you can reduce electric bill, but improving the home’s indoor temperature without heavily using electronic appliances and cooling system sounds like a good start. The World Wide Web alone can provide you with lots of options when it comes to learning how to save electricity. Most definitely, you will find ones that are easy to follow and practical to do.

Article provided by Green Energy Audits, a home energy auditor, serving Longmont, Boulder and nearby areas in Colorado. Visit them at: greenenergyaudits.com

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