Typically, each home has a nominal voltage between 120 and 240. The standard voltage in the United States is between 110 and 127, depending on the usage of electrical appliances in the home. Normal electricity also depends on your family and house, as well as how outdated the electrical supply unit is. The amount of electricity used in your home will depend greatly on the life of your home, too. A helpful residential electrical technician from Castle Rock company can tell you more about your home’s specific energy efficiency.
Electrical Waste
66% of all energy generated for transportation is wasted. Twenty percent of this is in commercial and residential buildings. So how are we wasting energy, you ask? It’s more than just leaving a light on all day. Leaving electronics such as televisions, computers and phone chargers plugged in when they aren’t in use uses a lot of energy. You can cut this energy cost down by using a power strip to connect these multiple devices. Of course, leaving the lights on is an obvious energy waster. You will save on electricity – and increase the lifespan of your light bulbs – by simply remembering to turn them off when you leave a room or when lights are not necessary. Nowadays, you can sync your smartphone with your smart home and remotely turn your lights off if you forget! Another obvious energy waster is using incandescent bulbs. Energy STAR certified bulbs use 25 to 80% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Washing your clothes in hot water only can also increase your home’s electric costs. Switch from hot to warm or use half warm, half cold for lightly soiled clothes. Not so obvious ways of wasting electricity can include running power to an empty freezer and standing in front of your open refrigerator. If the freezer chest is empty, unplug it to save energy and money. It sounds simple, but standing for long periods of time in front of an open refrigerator is costly. So, have an idea of what you’ll want for dinner before you decide in front of an open fridge. It will cut your energy cost in half! Last but not least, forgetting to change your air filters is a huge electrical expense. The HVAC in any home has air filters that need to be changed regularly. Your HVAC unit is constantly cycling through dust and particles to give your home clean air. Clogged air filters expend more energy as it’s working harder to cycle clean air through.
All of these elements can negatively affect your house’s electricity.
What is Normal for My House?
According to the US department of energy, the average electricity bill varies from state to state as well as individual electricity providers. Whether you’re renting or owning, ask the previous seller or real estate agent for the estimated monthly electric cost. Appliances such as electric oven, stove, dishwasher, refrigerator and washer dryer units account for 13% of the cost per month. Water heaters use an average of 14% of energy, and central cooling and heating is about 46% of energy cost.
Tips for Keeping it Low
There are things you can do to keep your electricity running normally each month. Maybe it’s time to upgrade your appliances to energy STAR rated models. Again, switching to LED light bulbs is a small but smart efficient way that will save you on cost each month. A smart thermostat is also a way to save on heating and cooling. For the hot and cold months, insulate and seal your home’s windows. Spray foam or blackout curtains can help keep a consistent and comfortable temperature in the home year-round.
Lastly, choosing your electrical provider is one of the top ways to ensure energy efficiency. These providers should offer helpful tips and electricity plans that fit the needs of your budget and home. The residential electrical services offered by the Castle Rock is a commercial and residential contractor specialize in lighting, home automation, service upgrades, hot tubs, and even home rewires. Contact them today for helpful tips regarding your home’s energy efficiency!