In Texas, everyone’s electric bill increases in the summer when the heat is at its worst, but it tends to even out during our mild winters. Electric bills take a toll financially, but just a few small changes to your routine can greatly impact your household finances if you use both practical and creative ways to lower your electricity bill at home.
Power Mojo is here to share a few smart tips on saving electricity every month and reducing your electricity bill.
Understand Your Electric Bill
The first step to saving electricity in Texas is learning how to read your electric bill. Every company or utility provider does it differently. Still, there is always an indication of just how much electricity was used during the month. Some of these indications include how much you were charged per kilowatt hour (kWh) and whether you were charged for peak-hour prices (hours that cost more during peak electricity times).
You might have a distributed bill, which helps even out summer versus winter costs, or you might be used to paying twice as much in the summer when the air conditioning cranks up to keep the house cool in the Texas heat. Ultimately, once you understand your electric bill, you can determine when and where your electricity-saving efforts are successful.
Update Old Appliances
If you have rickety old appliances, they are probably costing you more in electricity each year than replacing them. Not only do appliances get less energy-efficient over time, but modern appliances are much more efficient than those sold 10-30 years ago. So that old fridge, dryer, water heater, or air conditioning unit could be cutting more deeply into your margins than you realize.
Choose energy-efficient new models and, to prove a point, try a little plug-pass-through electricity meter to get the before-and-after energy consumption as you replace each appliance. Don’t forget regular maintenance – cleaning the coils and vents can result in a visible drop in power usage for appliances of any age.
Pay Attention to Your Thermostat
The thermostat strategy plays a big role in lowering your electricity bill. With sweltering summers and sometimes surprisingly icy springs, you can optimize your air conditioner and heater to use less power. When looking up how to lower your electric bill, no doubt a programmable thermostat is one of the first results you found.
Set your thermostat warmer in the summer, and dress lightly at home. You can lower the temperature at night and let the temperature rise while everyone is at work or school. The opposite is true, of course, in the winter when you can allow your house to get a little colder by putting on a sweater and fuzzy socks.
Change Out Old Lighting
Swap out your old incandescent lights (and old rickety fixtures) for new LED light bulbs. LEDs use much less power for the same amount of light. They are also less hot, so they are safer, never explode as incandescents can, and you can get them in color-changing smart lights.
Insulate and Reduce Air Leakage
Of course, weather stripping and insulated air ducts can make big differences to your electric bill. If you want your air conditioner and heater to use less power, seal up your house the right way by applying new weather stripping to doors and windows that open, caulk the parts of your windows that are sealed shut, and have your ductwork inspected and repaired to prevent air leaks behind the walls. Hang heavy curtains in the winter and white reflective curtains in the summer. Attic ventilation can also play an important role.
Use Energy Strategically
Lastly, think about how you use electricity in the home. A programmable thermostat, only running the dryer once, and using the right kind of power strip can make a big difference.
Cut Your Energy Bills: Choosing the Right Provider Can Help You Lower Your Electricity Costs
Hopefully, these tips have been a useful guide to lowering your home’s electric bill in Texas. Power Mojo is here to make your energy bills approachable and affordable. If you want to reduce the amount your bill spikes during Texas summers or lower your year-round electricity expenses, contact us today to learn more.
