Life changed quite a bit last year, and we learned to adjust to spending more time at home. For many Sarasota area residents, this meant that they were using more electricity – from parents working at home, to children logging on to virtual school. In 2020, more so than in years prior, most of the family was home most of the time. If your power bill reflected that new reality, we are here to help with some 2021 resolutions to help you have a more energy efficient home.

Resolve to Have an Energy Efficient Home

  1. Be Energy Aware: Simply paying attention to your usage can make a dramatic difference in your consumption and utility bill. Rally the troops and remind them that all appliances, lights and games (if plugged in) should be turned off when not in use. For those appliances or computers used only occasionally, consider unplugging altogether except for when they are needed. One small change that can have a huge impact here in Sarasota is making sure that external doors are always closed behind you. Letting A/C out and hot air in makes your air conditioner work overtime.
  2. Be Bright About Light (Bulbs): LED bulbs can last up to 3 times longer than conventional CFL bulbs, and they use as much as 75% less electricity. Changing out CFLS for LEDs can make a big difference, especially in the long term.
  3. Get Smart About Temperature Controls: you may be surprised to learn that it is cheaper and more efficient to adjust your thermostat when needed, than to try to maintain a steady temperature throughout the day. Because the temperature outside changes, your thermostat is always trying to level set your inside temperature. Installing a smart thermostat can help by adjusting the temperature in your house automatically, depending on the time of day and temperature fluctuations.
  4. Clean up Your HVAC: A dirty HVAC filter can result in sticker shock on your electric bill. When trying to compensate for a dirty filter, your HVAC system works longer and harder to pump cool air into your home. Replacing with a clean filter eliminates the resistance dirt creates, not to mention making the air in your home much more healthy for your family to breathe. Have a dog? Check those filters often, as dog hair is a notorious “clogger” of A/C filters.
  5. Change out Your Power Strips: Power strips have been around forever, but the smart versions are revolutionizing the way we use power. Were you aware that even when your appliance or computer is turned off, it still drains electricity as long as it is plugged in? This is called a “phantom load”, and it can represent a third of your electric bill! Rather than continually unplugging and plugging in appliances, plug them into a smart power strip which sense when electronics are not on, and cutting off the power supply automatically.
  6. Replace Old Appliances: Seeing the upfront cost of purchasing new appliances may not seem inspire you into thinking you are saving money. However, older appliances can be terrible energy hogs in relation to contemporary models – so over the long term, you will make up the cost and more. The best strategy? As each appliance needs to be replaced, do so with an energy efficient model.
  7. Pull the Curtains: Sunlight streams into our windows year-round; and while we love the sunshine, it doesn’t make for an energy efficient home. Close the blinds or the curtains when the room is not in use, and the room will stay much cooler.

If you would like more tips on establishing a more energy efficient home, call the experts at Promise Electric. We will perform an energy audit and offer professional recommendations as to how to save money on your electric bill well into 2021 and beyond.