9 Simple Ways To Lower Your Electricity Bill

by Laura Ginn Writer

In a climate of soaring energy costs, everyone is eager to find ways to lower utility bills and become more efficient about energy consumption.  Here are nine simple ideas that anyone can implement to enjoy cost savings and greater energy efficiency.

1. Evaluate

Study your energy utilization pattern. It is easy to find out the periods of peak use during the day and night, as well as any seasonal changes in energy consumption. There are several online tools to help you assess these patterns and even offer helpful feedback and suggestions to optimize your consumption.

2. Cool Roof

Energy is mainly lost through the roof because of the large surface area exposed to the exterior.  Using reflective materials or other insulation to bring down the temperature of the roof will help reduce cooling costs.

3. Insulate Windows

If you get many hours of sunlight through large glass panes and windows, then your room will gradually grow warmer as the day progresses. Install window shades or coat the glass with shaded heat-blocking film. This helps save on air conditioning costs. For the greatest impact, install double glazed windows which will insulate your room against ambient heat and cold from the outside.

4. Change Light Bulbs

Most people replace fluorescent lightbulbs only when they burn out. As a lightbulb ages, its performance drops and it consumes more energy to generate the same brightness. By proactively changing lightbulbs on a fixed schedule, you can save on energy bills.  When you upgrade to T8 tubes and electric ballast, you'll enjoy even greater cost savings because these technologies reduce energy consumption by an additional 40 percent.

5. Shut Down Inactive Devices

Many people think nothing about leaving their computers on all the time.  While it is more convenient to return back to work, the downside is that your machine continues to consume energy and keeps releasing heat which warms up your office.

If you are going out for a short break, leave your computer system on sleep mode. Whenever you are likely to be out of the office for an extended period of time, such as attending a meeting that could last several hours, shut down the computer before you leave.

Instruct your employees to follow these simple energy saving routines. Choose only Energy Star rated equipment for use in the office and home.  These devices are more efficient and reduce energy consumption. 

6. Ensure Efficient Heating And Cooling Systems

The largest amount of energy is consumed by your building's heating and cooling systems. Most old HVAC systems are huge and consume large amounts of electricity.  When you retrofit old and worn out equipment and make them energy efficient, you could save as much as 40% by way of reduced energy costs.  If your budget allows for it, replace the equipment with newer, more compact and powerful systems which consume less energy.

7. Rent Solar Panels

It can be expensive to purchase of solar panels, and it typically takes several years to make back your initial investment through energy cost savings. In order to make solar technologies more attractive to prospective buyers, several solar companies are offering panels on a "rent and buy later" basis.

If you rent the panels, you do not have to pay any money upfront or spend anything for its upkeep. The energy generated by solar panels on your building will be sold to you at a discounted rate that is agreed upon by both parties at the time of signing the contract. This is a creative option worth exploring. For an example of such a program, check out the California Solar Center website.

8. Get Tax Credits

Governments around the world are offering attractive incentives to encourage households and corporates to go green.  The Green Deal in the United Kingdom was one of these initiatives that started out with great expectations but didn't live up to the promise.

Many green initiatives qualify for tax credits.  Rebates, cash-back offers and incentives are offered by both national and local governments.  You can take advantage of these tax credits and install energy efficient renewable energy systems in the office or at home.

9. Run Energy Audits

Conduct an energy audit of your building every three to five years. This can be done with the help of qualified professional energy auditors. Energy audits can help you cut down on inefficient energy use or wastage through heat leaks or other deficiencies.  In a multi-unit building, tenants can approach a building owner to conduct this audit on all residences.

You may also want to consider switching to a different energy provider.  To compare the providers available in your area, visit http://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/ today.

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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