The heat summer heat can take a toll on your heating & cooling system which then places more stress on your electrical system. You don’t want to find yourself without cold air in the heat of the Summer. The load on your electrical system is also be greatest at this time. You can ensure your electrical system is protected from the heat’s stress on your system follow a few simple guidelines.
Adjustments To Electrical Appliances
Your cooling system may actually be bearing the burden of your appliance choices. It’s important that you set your appliances to a few seasonal adjustments mentioned below to help energy.
Reduce Electrical Use
The heating and cooling of your home takes up about 30-50 percent of your electric bill. This means it is one of the biggest factors of stress on your heating & cooling system. You can reduce this stress by doing a few things:
- Get your system professionally cleaned and tuned up once a year.
- Install a smart thermostat that’s easy to program.
- Fix any ductwork leaks.
- Keep all air filters clean by changing them on a regular basis.
- Clean outdoor system and indoor vents on a regular basis.
- Set your thermostat on 85 degrees when you are not home.
- Refrigerator maintenance – Check to make sure the seals are tight and free of debris.
- Operate the refrigerator at 37°-40°F, and the freezer at 0°-5°F.
Electric Water Heater Maintenance
The water heater can be an energy sucker. It is usually the third largest energy expense in your home. When it is set at a high temperature, it is hard for the electrical system to keep up with the heating demand. Set your water heater to 120 degrees. Make sure the tank is properly insulated. You can save energy by taking a shower instead of a bath. Turn off your hot water heater when you do not need to use it.
Use Energy Wisely
The hotter it is outside, the harder your system works. Help conserve your system by keeping the temperature from 70 to 80 degrees. If you’re running the system at 60 degrees all day, your system could wear out. The best time to lower the temperature is during the evening.
The Off Switch
Many people take for granted the amount of energy appliances use when they’re actually on. It’s best to turn off lights when not in the room as well as turn off televisions and radios. This takes pressure off your entire electrical system. The lighting in your home usually accounts for about 12 percent of your electricity. The electronic devices like your computer and printer take up about ten percent.
Grill Out for Summer
The Summer is the perfect time fire up your grill. You’ll save money and energy this way. When you use your stove or oven in the Summer, the heat often strains your electrical system. By grilling out, you can keep the heat outside and not overload your cooling system.
Old School Dryer
Instead of using your clothes dryer after you wash clothes, dial time back a few decades by hanging clothes on the line. When you run the dryer, you’re running the second largest energy-consuming appliance in the home. The bonus to saving energy this way is that your clothes will smell fresh and dry quickly.
Go Unplugged
It’s so easy to take electricity for granted. You often forget your refrigerator and microwave is plugged in constantly running electricity to it. You can’t unplug some of these things on a regular basis, but there are some things that you can easily unplug to save energy. Things like your computer, television and coffee maker can be unplugged when you aren’t using them. Anything with a power adapter can be unplugged. This will save you a few dollars each months as well as save energy.
Update Your Outdoor Lighting
Your electrical system isn’t only about the inside of the home. There are stressors outside as well. Your outdoor lighting fixtures often waste a large amount of electricity. You can update to modern lighting technology to help with this issue. You can install motion sensors and timers with LED and CFL bulbs to help with your energy usage.
Check Insulation
The exterior windows, floors, doors, and walls could be hurting your electricity bill. You need adequate insulation and air sealing to ensure your home isn’t literally leaking away all your money. You can avoid high electricity bills and extra stress on your home by making sure you reinforce the protective shell of your home.
Your Next Move
You should always contact a licensed electrician whenever you consider upgrading or repairing anything electrical. Electricity is nothing to play with, and attempting to fix a problem on your own could worsen your issue or create a bigger problem than you know how to fix. When it comes to installing dedicated circuits, you want to make sure the process goes smoothly and causes no issues.
At D.O.C. Electric Inc., we have the know-how to assist you. We’ll send out a professional electrician to help you figure out which appliances deserve dedicated circuits so that you can configure the electricity of your home more efficiently and logically. To get in contact with an electrician today, contact us, and we’ll help you get your circuits sorted out.
Call Now!