Ways to save on electricity

By Bill Streb Owner, Streb Electric

When you type “Ways to save money” into your Google search bar, the next four words that automatically appear most often are “on your electric bill.” Inflation has us all looking for ways to lower our monthly expenses.

The good news is, you have the power to make a difference. Here are a few tips:

• The appliance that uses the most electricity in your home is the furnace, so, understandably, the winter months usually arrive with higher electric bills. Get an annual clean and check and replace an older furnace with a new, energy-efficient model.
• The lighting in your home accounts for about 10 percent of your overall energy usage. You can save by installing manual and light-sensing dimmers, timers, motion sensors, automated systems and task lights. Anyone who has kids knows they tend to go into a room, like a bathroom, turn the light on and leave without turning it off. Motion sensors ensure this doesn’t happen.
• Since LED light bulbs last longer and use hardly any power, it’s smart to switch over. Incandescent lighting has been eliminated recently, so when you go to buy new bulbs, LED is all you’ll find, which is a good thing. Here in our headquarters, the past month we replaced our fluorescent lamps with LED models, and I noticed our bill went down.
• A programmable thermostat enables you to raise or lower your temperature during times when you’re asleep or not home, which is a game-changer in saving energy.

Ultimately, the best plan for implementing energy-saving controls depends on your lifestyle and the layout of your home. Give us a call so we can help create a strategy that will save you money over the long-run.

Streb Electric is headquartered in Willoughby. For the past 40 years, the family-operated service company has earned a reputation for making sure homes are safe and free from electrical hazards. Call 440-953-5819 or visit StrebElectric.com.