Practical Energy Saving Tips
As of 2020 and with the removal of the electricity rate cap, households and small businesses will no longer have their regulated electricity bills funded by the province whenever rates go above the threshold of 6.8 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). While no one can effectively predict what Alberta electricity prices are going to look like 12 - 18 months from now, especially with the volatility of 2020, the best one can do is to secure a fixed plan with predictable rates, and avoid risks such as variable-rate plans. A place customers can learn more about their options and help understand the differences between floating and fixed plans available in their area is EnergyRates.ca and compare providers such as ENMAX Energy, Direct Energy, Encor by EPCOR and ATCO energy. If you have already switched plans are now looking to step up your energy efficiency game, there are a few practical energy-saving tips we can share.
Replace old incandescent light bulbs and replace them with LEDs or CFL’s.
Incandescent lights are incredibly inefficient and energy wasters. Why? They convert the majority of the electricity they use into heat, rather than light. CFL’s (compact fluorescent lights) and LEDs are much more efficient, using a quarter of the electricity require ( compared to an incandescent ) and an LED bulb uses between 1/10th and 1/8th. Either of these options will provide energy savings over time and could have a positive impact on your power bill. LED lighting uses 25-80% less electricity than incandescent bulbs. By switching to LEDs, you could save up to $75 a year in energy costs. In addition to saving you money, these bulbs will last you longer than your regular incandescent bulbs.
Motion sensors
Motion sensors are a common energy-efficient improvement option by turning off the light when you are not in a room. If you leave a room longer than 15 minutes, having motions sensors turn off the lights will help you save money on day one. Having them installed in medium- or low-traffic rooms will help maximize your savings.
Smart power strips
Another way to reduce up to 10% on your annual electrical bill is by using smart power strips. By eliminating the power that devices draw when idle or unused and have the power turned off after periods of inactivity is a very effective way to save energy. There are a variety of smart power strips available so you will be sure to find one that suits your needs. Also available are smart Wi-Fi power strips which allows you to control, monitor, and manage your devices anytime and anywhere that come with built-in surge protection to keep your electronics safe.
Don’t charge your phone overnight
By simply not leaving your cell phone plugged in overnight to charge is an energy-efficient improvement that anybody can do. Did you know that even when fully charged, the average cell phone draws 2.24 watts when plugged into an outlet. This means that leaving your phone plugged in can and will add up to a lot of wasted energy over the course a day - a week and a year.
Smart thermostats
For most Albertans, heating and cooling will be almost half of the energy bill and can be quite a hit to the wallet over the course of 12 months. Investing in energy-efficient devices for your home climatization is a smart decision - no pun intended. Smart thermostats are at the top and one of the more common energy-efficiency upgrades available today. These innovative and cost-effective gadgets save energy by keeping temperatures balanced. If your schedule happens to have you away for work or vacation, being able to remotely control your home’s heating through your phone will be a brilliant way to get the most bang for your buck.
energy star-certified appliances
Energy Star-certified appliances are not only a quick way to give your kitchen a facelift, getting rid of your old appliances in exchange for more energy-efficient ones could save you hundreds and sometimes even thousands over your appliance’s life span. If you have an older home it will also be important to double-check and ensure your main electrical panel and circuit breakers can handle the demand of the new appliances.
Dimmers and Timers
If you have kids that can’t always remember to turn off the lights — then LED dimmers can help and will be an effective way to save energy. You can even have dimmers with timers or programmable dimmers installed that will automatically turn off the lights for you after a specified period of time.
Use smart fans
Another energy-efficient device to increase your cost savings is a smart fan for your home. Smart ceiling fans have sensors that measure room temperature and will adjust fan speed to keep you comfortable during Alberta’s summer months. Using a smart fan could save you between 4% and 11% in energy savings and be a great alternative to an Air Conditioning Unit. To add to the convenience factor, there are even smart fans that can be controlled via Wi-Fi via a smart fan app.
Wireworks Electrical Services Ltd. will take great pride in delivering excellent and reliable service. Call us today if you are looking for an energy audit or some ideas on how to modernize your home’s electrical system and circuitry. We offer a wide variety of services to meet all your electrical needs. Call us today to book a consultation!