You count on electricity to operate a variety of appliances in your home. Utilities are often the second highest bill you have to pay every month, second only to your mortgage. If your bills seem like they're constantly climbing every month, read on to discover how you can lower your them today.
Average Electrical Usage
According to the most recent figures provided by the EPA, the average annual electrical usage for single family homes in 2011 was 12,258 kilowatt hours. Because more people are giving attention to alternative fuel sources and conservation efforts, the average electrical usage is going down.
In homes with electric HVAC equipment, 29 percent of electrical consumption is for home heating; 17 percent is for air conditioning; 14 percent is for water heating; 13 percent to power appliances; with lighting and electronics account for the remaining 27 percent.
Solutions to Lower Electrical Usage
Since heating and cooling account for the largest share of electrical consumption, the most effective way to cut back on your energy bill is to seal and insulate your home.
Water heating is another hefty electrical consumer. Make sure to insulate your water heater and turn down the temperature to reduce standby heat loss. You might even consider upgrading to a natural gas water heater or a tankless unit to enjoy more efficient operation.
When it comes to appliances and electronics, your best option is to choose efficient models and turn off devices when they're not in use. To prevent “energy vampires” from draining electricity from outlets, unplug all electronics when you're no longer using them.
Finally, replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents to save 75 percent or more on lighting costs. Be sure to turn off the lights when you leave the room to prevent wasting energy.
Now that you know the average electrical usage for single family homes, strive to stay below the average. For more energy-saving tips, contact Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Fort Wayne today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about electrical usage and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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