Is your electric bill just a little too high each month? It may not be your appliances or HVAC system that are draining all the power – it could just be you.
It is easier than you think to reduce your energy usage every day and save you money each month. And now in Texas, thanks to energy deregulation, you have the power to choose your energy plan and provider!
Here are 7 easy ways to get started reducing your energy usage:
1. Turn off your computer when you’re done using it
Imagine how much energy is used every time you leave your computer on all day while not in use? Every single time you leave it on, your computer will start cycling through different modes to ensure it is running at its best. Each mode of your computer uses more energy than necessary and starts using the power that could be used for something else like charging your cell phone or powering up the hot water heater.
2. Make sure all appliances are unplugged
This sounds simple, but most people don’t do this. When you walk into someone’s home or even into their kitchen, chances are their toaster, coffee machine, phone charger, and blender are all still plugged in from this morning. Imagine how much energy they are pulling even when they are plugged in even if not charging? Every single time you leave that cell phone charger plugged into the wall energy is being used. Unplug your appliances when they are not in use, but also make sure the cords are still unplugged even if it is plugged into a surge protector!
3. Use Energy Efficient Products
You need to look for energy-efficient products with your appliances and electronic goods. Yes, they cost more upfront but will save you money over time. They ensure that your appliance is using the least amount of energy possible and work best with the power grid in your home so you aren’t wasting any energy.
4. Turn off lights when not in use
You have probably heard this a lot, huh? Turning off lights when they are not needed may seem like an obvious one, but most people leave their lights on all day. This can be especially true in homes where someone is only home for a few hours at night. Keep track of when you are home and keep your lights off while you aren’t there!
5. Unplug appliances that don’t get used often
Surprisingly, this is one of the most overlooked ways to save energy. Appliances that are plugged in but not being used are still using electricity! Make sure you unplug all appliances that don’t get used every day or turn them off when you aren’t using them.
6. Use smart power strips
This may be a little higher up on the ‘geeky’ level, but smart power strips are great for turning off all your appliances at once! This is especially true for those that have chargers and other electronic devices. These devices are things such as gaming consoles and tvs. Here you can set it up to turn everything off with one button push.
7. Upgrade your thermostat now!
Most homes have an old-school digital thermostat now. But they are no longer the best way to control your HVAC system. A smart thermostat will be able to monitor when you are using more energy. It will also adjust for that purpose, saving you money on your energy bill. Plus, they are better for the environment!
You have the power to choose your energy plan in Texas cities! And you also have the power to choose how much energy you can save! Even Dallas energy rates are easy to choose with Energy Outlet! So what are you waiting for? Use these great tips and start saving energy and money today!
