Local Electricians in Mason Ohio: 10 Easy Steps to a Lower Carbon Footprint (And a Lower Utility Bill)

Want energy saving ideas, tips, and insights from friendly professional and local electricians in Lebanon or Mason Ohio?  Give Mr. Electric of Warren County a call at 513-282-3586 and visit our website at mrelectric.com/warren-county.

1. Replace all the light bulbs in your home with energy efficient compact fluorescent lights or LEDs.   These eco friendly options use up to 80 percent less electricity and can last up to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs. In addition, these newer bulbs generate less external heat and are more cost effective.

2. Switch to smart power strips. Unplugging electronics that aren’t in use is a great way to save energy and money – up to 75% of our energy bills can come from the “phantom energy” our idling electronics use! But remembering to unplug your electronics can be an extra chore we don’t need in our busy lives.  A smart power strip will shut off the electricity for these devices for you and in doing so can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Some more advanced smart power strip devices allow you to automatically schedule the off and on periods which can be very desireable and convenient.

3. Lower your hot water temperature settings to 140° F. This change takes five seconds to do and will reduce your energy consumption while providing enough hot water for most families. You could also consider replacing your conventional water heater with an “on-demand” water heater.

4. Weatherize Your Home.  Sealing air leaks around your home can reduce your heating and cooling expenses. The most common sources of air leaks into your home are windows, doors, and vents.  Weather stripping and caulking are simple air sealing techniques that typically offer a return on investment in less than a year!

5. Install a smart or programmable thermostat for your heating system. A smart (or even just a programmable) thermostat saves money by changing the amount of heating or cooling your house is doing when you aren’t at home. You can even program your system to lower the ambient temperature while you are sleeping, and bring it back up to a comfortable temperature before you’re awake.

6. Install a low-flow shower head. These are available at all hardware stores and are easy to replace (just make sure you turn your water off before you start).

7. Replace your appliances with Energy Star qualified products. The cost for Energy Star is only a little higher than for standard appliances, and you can replace your appliances one at a time as they wear out.  The energy savings you’ll get from each qualified Energy Star appliance will more than cover the price difference in the long run.

8. Add timers to your bathroom. We’ve all accidentally left the bathroom light or fan on all day and it can be a major energy expense!  Easy to install timers with settings for 5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes can be purchased at your local hardware store. Make sure you turn the circuit breaker off first! If you’d like help installing them – give Mr. Electric of Warren County a call.

9. Keep your blinds and curtains closed while you are away. Closing your blinds will help block the sun to keep your home cooler in the summer, and the blinds will help trap warm air inside to keep your house warmer in the winter.  And although an indoor breeze can feel nice, in the summer it’s usually best to leave the windows closed until you get home in the afternoon, especially if your windows are facing north or west.

10. Replace your filters.  Dirty filters can make your furnace work much harder than it needs to push air around your home.  Whenever a new season rolls around just head downstairs and swap in a new one.  This simple, seasonal task will lower your energy costs and keep the air inside your home dust free.

For other money saving ideas give the friendly electricians at Mr. Electric of Warren County a call at 513-282-3586 or visit our website at mrelectric.com/warren-county.

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