Accurate electric usage is important for you and the electric company It is important to make sure your electric company is billing you correctly by adding an electric monitoring tool, such as a smart meter. This can help you to be billed correctly, meaning you don’t owe the energy supplier money, it also means you don’t have to try to get a refund back from them when you have over paid. and save on electricity A monitoring tool can also help you to save on the level of electricity used. It can help you do this by giving live energy usage, making you aware of how much energy different items use. Adding Electric Monitoring Tools Can Help Save Electricity It may seem counter intuitive to save energy by adding more gadgets to your home, but trust us, if you embrace one of these energy-saving tools you’ll pocket some savings on your electric bill each month. - Programmable thermostat
Heating and cooling make up the largest portion of your electric bill from your electric company. That means it’s the biggest opportunity for savings. A programmable thermostat is an easy tool to make that savings possible. The device allows you to program your heating and cooling. For example, you might schedule the thermostat to keep your home warmer while you’re at work, but have it cool back down before you arrive home. High-tech models can even be programmed from your smart phone and some can even learn your heating and cooling habits. A programmable thermostat is an easy, passive way to save energy with big results. Some experts suggest that a programmable thermostat can save users as much as $180 a year. By far the most energy-intensive operation at home is cooling and heating. We all want to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, but the associated costs can pack quite a punch. The average home attributes 40 to 60 percent of its energy consumption to thermal regulation. The usual steps for cutting costs include installing energy-efficient models and properly insulating your walls and windows. - LED light bulb
Home appliances also account for a massive chunk of annual energy usage, typically between 15 and 25 percent. The main culprits are the refrigerator, dishwashing unit, laundry machines (both washer and dryer), water boiler, and oven/stove. Appliances with an ENERGY STAR rating can be up to 50 percent more efficient than those without. And the third worst drain on electricity? Lighting. Accounting for 10 to 20 percent of a home’s electricity usage, lighting is often underestimated and overlooked. Fluorescent bulbs with an energy star rating are over 300 percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs of similar wattage. Always save energy by shutting off lights and devices when unused. Although light bulbs were invented more than 150 years ago, the simple device has sparked some recent upgrades Thomas Edison could only dream of. In our modern times, LED light bulbs reign king. And it’s no wonder way. The bulbs use 75 percent less energy than incandescent lights and last up to 25 times longer. According to Energy Star, a single bulb will save about $80 worth of electricity over its lifetime. Imagine the savings if you replaced every bulb in your home! - Power strip
A power strips may not seem like a must-have gadget, but this modest device can pack a punch when it comes to energy savings. The average home wastes about $100 a year on standby energy—the power sucked from your electric socket, even when a device is “off”. A power strip offers a convenient way to make sure the power supply is completely cut off from unused devices. Just switch it off to ensure everything that’s plugged into the strip isn’t using your electricity. - Energy saving outlet
If a power strip isn’t you’re thing, an energy saving outlet can be a great alternative. The outlet helps you eliminate energy waste by shutting off electronics after a period of time. Just plug your device into the outlet and program it to shut off at ½ hour, 3 hours or 6 hours. If the device goes unused after that time period, or is drawing standby power, the outlet will stop the flow of electricity so you can pocket the savings. - Room occupancy sensor
Is there someone in your house that just can’t seem to turn the lights off? An occupancy sensor might be the best solution for your problem—and your pocketbook. It detects movement and will turn the lights on when you enter a room, and off when you leave. Some models can even sense the level of natural light in a room and won’t turn on your lights unless it’s necessary. Have you started on a smart home? It’s a neat concept that can simplify the way you live and keep home maintenance as convenient as possible, but there’s another benefit to installing smart products in your house: saving energy, saving money. The trick to saving electricity is in knowing where most of your energy is consumed. There’s no point in shelling out a few hundred dollars in home improvements if it’s only going to save you a couple of dollars by year’s end. To get the most in savings, you have to find your main energy leaks. |