With great power often comes great electricity bills. How do yours look in our digital age of electronic gadgetry and technological innovations? At-home energy costs continue to rise overall, making energy efficiency and conservation more critical now than ever before.
With the right strategies, upgrades, and updates, homeowners can dynamically change their energy consumption and offset the costs associated with regular electricity use. How so? Let’s take a closer look at five electrical updates for your home that are energy efficient.
Using LED and Other Alternative Lighting Solutions
Many of the potential electrical updates stem from the main energy-consuming source: the lighting. Consider how you can reduce your typical lighting usage each day. A wide assortment of efficient solutions is available to you, including dimmable, adjustable, solar-powered, and auto-timer lighting options.
Remember that modern LED light bulbs—the most energy-efficient bulbs—use about three-quarters less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs. Why? They release less heat, therefore using significantly less energy and lasting longer. Switching out old bulbs with these immediately impactful alternatives is a simple fix—one you don’t even need an electrician for.
Switching Up Your HVAC System
The Department of Energy has previously reported that around half of a household’s energy costs come from heating and cooling. When boosted energy efficiency is the goal, taking a close look at your HVAC system’s core components and their effectiveness in controlling the climate is a wise idea. Many of these electrical wiring components might be able to benefit from upgrades or improved maintenance.
Replacing your heating, cooling, and water systems with the latest models and parts can control your home’s interior climate more efficiently. Electric heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are particularly advantageous over fossil fuel–based units.
Installing a Smart Thermostat
On the topic of energy consumption control, smart thermostats are also on the list of key electrical updates for your home that are energy efficient. When correctly installed, wired, and used, the newest options on the market cut down on heating and cooling expenses by automatically altering and adjusting the climate as necessary. This automated efficiency and ease of control directly lead to reduced energy consumption and optimal temperature control at a minimal cost.
Upgrading Appliances
Numerous household appliances that remain plugged in for daily or weekly use—including refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers—can be major sources of energy consumption. This is especially true if they’re outdated. You can replace appliances in your home on a need-to basis with brand options that have the Energy Star seal of approval.
Modernizing Power Supplies, Outlets, and Switches
Regardless of the age of a home, modernized electrical outlets, switches, and power supply sources are necessities in every household. Having updated electrical wiring and safety equipment is beneficial for efficiency purposes—as well as for the protection of your home and family for years to come.
Allgood Electric offers services in San Antonio, TX, to meet local homeowners’ needs and desires for greater energy efficiency, including lighting updates, remodeling projects, panel upgrades, surge protection, transfer switch installation, and more. Book online today or reach out to our team of experts with questions.
