Tips To Conserve: Light Bulbs, Heaters, and Windows. Oh, My!

You can conserve energy within your home in several different ways, from the light bulbs and heater to the windows and insulation. Now, don’t let these changes overwhelm you—keep in mind that every change, no matter how big or small, adds up over time.

Water Heater

Water heaters require an immense amount of energy consumption to work properly. However, some are much more energy efficient than others. For example, tankless water heaters are the most energy-efficient heaters out there. However, like any other purchase, this kind of heater has its pros and cons. Consult with a local professional so that they can point you in the correct direction.

If you aren’t interested in replacing your water heater right now, that’s okay! Simply turn down the thermostat on your water heater, use less hot water, or insulate the heater you currently own.

Insulation

Speaking of insulation, it’s an often overlooked but important aspect of the home for conserving energy. It will help your home retain heat in the colder months and conserve cool air in the hotter months. Appreciate the lower utility bills that quality insulation will give you—but keep in mind that your home’s location will determine just how much insulation the house needs. The attic, crawl space, floors, basement, and walls are common areas where you may need to place more insulation.

Windows

Windows: the biggest cause of energy waste in a home. Gas-filled windows have low-e coatings that can drastically reduce heating costs by reflecting light and reducing the thermal energy that enters the home when it’s warm outside. On the other hand, these windows trap heat in the home when it’s cold outside. This layer of protection is an investment up front, but it will do wonders for your home and utility bills in the long run.

LED Bulbs

Of all the tips to conserve energy, switching to LED bulbs is one of the cheapest and simplest and yet most effective ways to conserve energy in your home. And news flash: traditional incandescent light bulbs are so yesterday. LED bulbs not only use less energy but also last longer and don’t emit gases that harm the environment. Who doesn’t want to reap those benefits?

Of course, these bulbs cost a bit more up front, but their longevity will give you your money back in the long run. Another beauty in these bulbs is that you can control them with a smart home system. Using a guide to setting up a smart home, you’ll be well on your way to an energy-efficient house.

Reasons Your Energy Bill Is So High

You keep your air conditioner set a few degrees higher in the summer than you need to feel truly comfortable. You remind your family to turn off lights when they’re not using a room. You try to avoid using your dishwasher or other appliances unless absolutely necessary. You might do all of the things you think you need to do, but still get hit with a shockingly high electric bill. Although it’s generally accepted as a fact of life that the cost of living will just keep going up, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. In fact, there may be some hidden factors that are adding to your utility costs without your knowing it. 

For example, you may not be aware that some of your appliances or electronics continue to draw power even when they’re turned off. Many smart TVs and other devices can’t be turned off completely, and instead go into a standby mode that still requires a small amount of electricity. Because this goes on 24/7, it can add up to a significant and unnecessary expense added to your bill. Leaving these unplugged when not in use, or putting them on a power strip you can switch off, can ensure they won’t use more electricity than they need to.

Most of us depend on our smartphones and tablets so much that we’re afraid of letting their batteries run dry. That means we plug them in overnight, even when they’re close to fully charged. This is another way in which you may be using more power than you should be. If your phone’s charge is at 80%, consider turning it off before you go to bed or waiting to charge it when it’s actually in the red. 

As a homeowner, getting an exorbitant utility bill can be a frustrating experience. For more reasons why your monthly energy expenses might be higher than you want, take a look at the accompanying resource. 

Infographic created by Unique Services

Safety Advice for DIY Home Electrical Repairs

Handling electrical appliances can be hazardous, which is why you are advised to take necessary safety precautions when doing DIY repairs at home. Regardless of the type of electrical repairs you are handling, any slight mistake can put your life on the line. As a DIY enthusiast, the following safety advice may be necessary if you want to prevent electrocution and other related hazards.

Avoid Moisture 

As most people know, water and electricity don’t mix. With that in mind, before you start repairing any electrical device, be sure your hands are completely dry. It will prevent cases of personal injuries as well as electric shock. At the same time, you can use gloves to cover your hands when handling naked wires.

Switch Off Circuit Breakers

Turning off circuit breakers is necessary when disrupting the flow of current. In doing so, you prevent electrocution or damage to the devices in your home. Besides the possible damage, turning off circuit breakers enables you to safely uncover wires or terminals during the repair. However, as you turn off circuit breakers, make sure you start with the smaller breakers before turning off the main switch.

Use Voltage Tester

As you work on electrical repairs at home, there may be wires that need fixing. However, before you lay your hands on them, you may want to detect any presence of AC voltage on them. Sometimes, circuit breakers may be mislabeled. Or, the breaker that you’ve turned off may not be the one controlling circuit you are about to repair. Therefore, the only sure way to confirm you are not exposed to electric shock is to use a voltage tester. While it may seem unnecessary, never skip out on this step.

Always Make Tight Wiring Connections

As a do-it-yourselfer, you probably know that electricity travels along conductors. These are the wires running through the electrical device. As part of the repair, you want to ensure that all the wiring is tightly connected to allow the smooth transition of electricity from one conductor to the other. Note that loose connection can either restrict current flow or cause arcing, leading to overheating or other hazards.

Final Thoughts

Caution is essential when making electrical repairs. While the above mentioned are the most important safety measures, others that are worth mentioning include dressing properly for the job and using insulated tools. If you run into any complications, be sure to contact a professional electrician in your area.

How To Find a Good Electrician for Your Home Electrical Renovation

Finding a good electrician to work on your home's electrical renovation can be extremely difficult. It can be especially difficult if you want somebody you can trust with this task, but don't know where to go to find one. In this article, we'll show you how to find a good electrician by walking you through the process.

Do Some Research

Before you start interviewing potential electricians for residential electrical installs, ask people you know for recommendations. Homeowners who have had similar work done recently can often provide a good resource for finding a reliable professional. If the person who did their work was great, they'll likely be happy to share that information with you, and if it wasn't so good, they may also be able to steer you away from someone who just might make your life miserable.

Ask Around

Ask friends, relatives, and other people you trust. You might also want to get referrals from trade organizations such as the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC). These folks are in the know about local electrical professionals and should be able to give you some names of those who should be at the top of your list when it comes time to interview prospective electricians.

Look for Certifications

The best way to tell if an electrician is trustworthy is if they have proper credentials and certifications from their state licensing board or from professional organizations. These licenses show that the electrician has passed certain tests and is qualified to do electrical work in your home. This ensures that they know what they're doing when they enter your home.

Check References

While it's important to confirm that an electrician is licensed, it's also a good idea to ask for references from previous customers as well. A reputable electrician will be more than happy to provide references upon request, and those references can give you peace of mind. You'll know that the electrician has done satisfactory work before, so they'll likely do good work again.

Ask About Their Experience

In many cases, electricians go into the trades directly out of high school while they're still young, so it's not uncommon to find a contractor who is just starting out. This doesn't necessarily mean that they are bad at their job, but you have to be more cautious if that is the case. For the most part, having an experienced electrician or one with many years of experience under his belt is better than one that is still trying to figure out what he's doing on the job.

Look at Their Website and Get a Quote

Every reputable electrician will have their own personal website, where they display their services and credentials. Go through their website to check out their portfolio, certifications, and other important details that can help you make an informed decision. You can also ask them for a quote so that you know exactly how much the electrical work will cost for your home renovation project.

Confirm That They Are Licensed and Insured

Check to see if the electrician you're hiring is licensed and insured. This will ensure that they have passed all of the necessary tests to be qualified to perform electrical work on your home, and it will also protect you in case anything happens while they are working on your project.