When it comes to your electric bill, it’s probably at its highest during the colder winter months. That winter weather can be dangerous for your family and the components that make up your home. Fortunately, there are some great methods that you can implement this winter to help save money on your power bill.
Use LED Lights
Just because you want to save some green on your power bill this holiday season, that doesn’t mean that you have to turn off the Christmas lights. Rather, all you need to do is switch to LED lights. These draw significantly less energy than traditional incandescent-style holiday lights. And, when we say significantly less, we mean up to 90% less energy! Additionally, they’ll last about 10 times longer than those inefficient incandescent-style lights.
Use Outdoor Timers
Pretty much any hardware store sells outdoor timers that you can plug your Christmas lights and outdoor decorations into. A timer can allow you to pre-program when your lights turn on and off. This means that you can run your Christmas light display during the prime-time hours of the evening regardless of if you’re home or not. The best part is that you don’t have to bear the frigid cold weather to unplug your lights before you go to bed because the timer will take care of it for you.
Consider Solar Powered Lights
If your home is exposed to sunlight through some of the daytime, you may want to opt for solar-powered lights. These types of lights can soak up the sunlight and automatically turn on when it gets dark outside. These types of lights are recommended for homes that receive a fair amount of sun throughout the day.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
One of the best ways to reduce your energy bill during the holiday season is to use a programmable thermostat. This type of thermostat will allow you to pre-program your desired temperature for set hours throughout the day. Whenever everyone is away from home, you can set the temperature up to 10 degrees lower. Then, you can opt for having the temperature increase shortly before you arrive back home. With lower temperatures when you’re away, you can save money on fuel for your heating system as it will be working less.
Switch to the Slow Cooker
If you make a lot of meals at home, it’s likely that you’re running your oven a lot. One great switch you can make to reduce your energy bill is to use a slow cooker. These use less energy than your stove to cook your meals. The best part is that you can prepare them in the morning and have a nice warm dinner ready to go when you walk through the door after work.
Seal Up Noticeable Air Gaps
There’s nothing worse than getting a cold draft blowing on your neck. Your home’s windows and doors are going to be the most common locations where drafts will enter your home. This cold air will seep inside and cause your heating system to constantly kick on to warm your home back up. You can eliminate these air drafts by fixing any gaps and cracks that you notice. Fill them with weatherstripping or caulk. For larger gaps, you may want to consider using foam insulation spray.
Let the Sun In
The sun is a natural heat source that you should be taking advantage of in the colder winter months. During the daylight hours, be sure to open up those blinds and curtains to let the sun seep in. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that the sun can actually make their home feel up to 10 degrees warmer. That’s a big difference that can help to keep your thermostat from running constantly.
Use Power Strips
It’s not uncommon for the average homeowner to have over 40 phantom lights throughout their home. These phantom lights are simply glowing lights or digital displays on their devices that trick out continuous energy. You should utilize power strips to plug in items within a close range to one another. Whenever you don’t need to use them, you can simply turn all of them off with one switch of the power strip button.
Helpful Electric Company
Beck Electric, Generators & Plumbing is a helpful electric company serving the Canton, OH region. We’re also available for all of your generator, EV charging, and smart home needs. Call us today to get the professional assistance that you need.
