As the cold rolls in for another year, utility bills start rising. To lower your electric bill in the winter, take a little time to think about energy efficiency. Doing so will help keep your energy costs to a minimum while staying warm during these winter months. Here are a few simple tricks from our Electricians in Evanston that can make a big difference:
- Use LED Light Bulbs
LED bulbs use 90% less energy than traditional incandescents. Although they cost a bit more than the bulbs from yesteryear, they’re much more affordable than they used to be. Switching entirely over to LEDs can add up to $1,000 of energy savings over 10 years.
- Unplug Appliances and Electronics
Idle devices continue to draw power from the outlet. In fact, devices you aren’t even using account for as much as 25% of your electricity bill. Leaving devices unplugged until you need them can dramatically lower your electric bill.
- Install a Programmable Thermostat
Heating your home accounts for roughly 1/3 of your energy bill. Programmable thermostats make it easy to adjust the temperature in your home so that you’re only using heat when you need it. Lowering the heat by 7° – 10°F for 8 hours a day can reduce your annual heating and cooling costs by 10%. Set the thermostat to do so while you’re sleeping and at work.
- Weather Stripping Doors and Windows
Given that heating systems are responsible for such a large portion of your energy bill, reducing heat loss by weather stripping doors and windows adds up to big savings. Stopping air leaks prevents cold air from coming in and lightens the load on your heater. Doing so will go a long way to lowering your bill.
Between inefficiencies, unused devices, and heating bills, it’s easy to waste energy. A little thought and effort can go a long way toward reducing this waste. And with these simple tricks, you can lower your electric bill in the winter and beyond.