Electricity consumption tends to skyrocket in many households during winter, and that means higher electricity bills and an increased footprint for homeowners. Even though an increase in your electricity bill may be inevitable as you try to weather through the cold season, there are things that you can do to keep your power consumption to a minimum. Here are seven tips from local electrician Albert Corn & Son to save electricity in winter.
Use energy efficient heating alternative
There’s a number of alternative house heating methods that you can use for your house. Each method comes with its own running costs, which means that it’s possible to identify a method that saves you the most money in the long run. For instance, ducted heating is more energy efficient than underfloor heating. Reverse-cycle air conditioners are more energy efficient than space heaters, which tend to use way too much power. When choosing a heating system, work with professional installers to identify the heating method that works best for your house and one that is cheap to operate.
Shop around for a better electricity plan
Because there are many power and lighting retailers in the market, it’s possible to shop around for competitive rates. Certain electricity companies in your area might offer more favorable rates than your current company. You should take a look at the price per kilowatt-hour on your most recent electricity bill, then go online and compare it to energy plans from other providers. You can save a lot of money just by switching to a provider with a cheaper plan.
Consider investing in solar power
Solar power may have a high initial installation cost, but it can save you a lot of money in the long run. If you install solar panels, you can use the energy generated in real time during the day, and you can feed the excess power back into the grid and receive a feed-in tariff which counts as positive credit on your bill. Solar panels may not work optimally during the winter as they do during sunny seasons, but they still generate plenty of energy.
Insulate and seal your house
Heat loss accounts for a large percentage of your electricity bill during winter, so make sure that your house is properly insulated, and areas such as door frames and window sills are properly sealed.
Only heat the room you are in
A lot of energy is wasted heating rooms which nobody uses, so make sure you turn off your heating system in areas such as spare bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. Close off the unheated rooms to keep the warm air in the rooms that you mean to heat.
Service your heating system
Heaters and heating systems become less energy efficient with time if they are not well maintained, so make sure that you service them regularly. Ensure you adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions concerning the frequency with which you need to service the system.
Use a timer
We all want to feel warm and toasty when we walk into the house after a long day of work during winter, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave your heating system on throughout the day. You can use a timer to turn it off and on again after you’ve left the house and before you come back.