Electric Bill Archives - Page 3 of 5

Save on your electricity bill during the holidays

29Oct2020

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to holiday spending, but have you ever thought about ways to save electricity? “Post-holiday energy bills tend to be higher than in previous months due to the increased use of appliances, lighting, water and heating consumption,” says the Department of Energy.

This year more than ever we want our winter holiday celebrations to shine brightly! Here are some tips to make your home warm, inviting, and still save on your electricity bill this holiday season.

Winter Holidays 2020: 5 Ways to Save on Your Electricity Bill

You can still cut down on costs without limiting your holiday lighting. One way is to put outdoor and inside decorative light displays on timers.

1. Put your lights on timers

You’ll save on your electricity bill if you program your lights to come on at dusk and shut off at bedtime (or midnight). Not keeping your indoor tree lit all night is also a safety precaution.

2. Use LED bulbs

If you haven’t switched to LED light bulbs, now’s the time. The benefits of LED lighting are numerous. They use 70% less energy and last ten times longer. You’ll save on your electricity bill immediately and because of their durability, you’ll also see long-term energy savings.

LED bulbs are so versatile you can use them almost anywhere. In fact, “smart” LED bulbs can be remote controlled.

3. Change thermostat settings

The average December/January temperature in our area is between 44°-65°. You can save on your electricity bill by proactively managing your thermostat, or by installing a smart thermostat.

You can take advantage of “sweater weather” at home but keep in mind: Holiday cooking, additional lighting, and increased numbers of people in your home can substantially raise the indoor temperature.

4. Additional security

One area you shouldn’t neglect during the holidays is security lighting. Photocell lighting is easy to control. Actually, it controls itself because it turns on and off based on the amount of light it senses.

5. Holiday travel

Use a travel opportunity as another way to save on your electricity bill. Before you leave home for several days or longer, take these energy-saving steps:

Ensure all fans and lights are off and put security lights on a timer.
Put your thermostat on vacation mode. Change the fan from “on” to “auto.”
Turn off your electric water heater at the breaker.
Unplug small electronics, televisions, cable box, coffeemaker, game controllers, etc.
Your instinct is to empty the fridge before a vacation, but full freezers and refrigerators stay colder longer. (It doesn’t have to be leftover food; you can use water pitchers and ice trays.) You can then adjust your refrigerator to 38° and the freezer to 5°.

Questions? Connect with Turn It On Electric

Holiday lighting sets the stage for this magical time of year. You have many choices for indoor and outdoor decorating with lights. It’s not unusual to have questions, so don’t hesitate to connect with Turn It On Electric of Arizona.

We’re available to discuss home holiday lighting for decorations or safety. We’ll share ways to save on your electricity bill and visit your home if you are concerned about wiring problems.

Contact Turn It On Electric for all electrical decorative and safety electrical needs.

Electric Bill, Electrical Wiring, Maintenance, Residential

How to create energy efficiency in your home

15Aug2020

Efforts toward planet preservation begin at home. Your home. When you practice energy efficiency with your household, you improve our quality of life.

Maximizing energy efficiency in your home isn’t that difficult. In fact, it’s a viable investment in future generations and their environment.

“Homeowners can save energy while improving their home’s comfort level,” says Arizona Building Inspections. “Substantial savings are possible…”

Learn more about these today!

Simple Solutions for Energy Efficiency in Your Home

These may seem like no-brainers, but all of us need reminders:

Air-dry laundry. Wash in the morning and hang to dry. (Washer/dryers use 13% of your home’s energy.)
Turn down the air conditioning and wear fewer clothes.
Turn off electronic devices when you aren’t using them.
Switch off the lights in rooms that are not in use.

Measure

An interesting experiment for your family is to measure energy efficiency in your home with the Home Energy Yardstick. You’ll need to know:

Home’s square footage
List of home fuels (electricity, gas, etc.)
Number of full-time occupants
Utility bills for the previous 12 months
ZIP code

10 Upgrades for Energy Efficiency in Your Home

We enjoy living in sunny Phoenix, but windows are energy-losers. One way to increase energy efficiency in your home is to apply Low-E window film to your home’s windows. Window film can block as much as 66% of the sun’s heat.

Ten home improvements that will lower energy bills and increase your property value include:

1 – Ceiling fans

They aren’t aesthetically pleasing to some people, but ceiling fans go a long way. They keep your air cool, flowing, and comfortable. Plus, they’re an affordable investment.

2 – Evaluate appliances

Older dishwashers consume about 10 gallons of water per-use. A new dishwasher can cut that in half. Other pre-EnergyStar appliances, like microwaves, stoves, and refrigerators, should be replaced when possible.

3 – Get smart

Smart, programmable thermostats save consumers about 15% on heating/cooling costs. They raise and lower temperatures based on your family’s usage patterns. You can save energy when you’re away. That\’s right. Set them to cool or warm your Phoenix home right before you return.

4 – Go LED

LED light bulbs are an essential investment to increase energy efficiency in your home. LEDs last 20 times longer and use much less energy. You should see lower utility bills almost immediately.

5 – Install on-demand/tankless water heater

Lower energy bills mean an ROI (return on investment) and ups the value of your home. Achieve this by installing a new water heater.

6 – Insulation

Arizona attics are frequently neglected because we seldom use them. A lot of cool air can escape from your attic if you don’t have good insulation. If your attic has less than 10\” of fiberglass or 8\” of cellulose insulation, you should add more.

7 – Regulate water

Installing low-flow water fixtures and/or restrictor valves can reduce water consumption. This saves money.

8 – Replace doors and windows

Aluminum frames don’t do a great job of keeping hot air out in summer. Or keeping it in during winter. This is an expensive investment. But your long-term and resale ROI will be real.

9 – Seal cracks and leaks

Do a visual inspection of doors and windows. Small cracks allow cool air to escape. Fill them with foam sealant and mark your calendar to re-inspect every 6 months.

10 – Unplug

When not in use, pull the plug on toasters, TVs, computers. Idle, plugged-in appliances can add as much as 10% to your electric bill.

LEED-Certified Electric Pros for Phoenix and Tucson Neighborhoods

Turn It On Electric is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified by the United States Green Building Council (USBG). This means our company promotes efforts to reduce energy waste and save money.

We care about sustainable alternatives to increase energy efficiency in your home or commercial property. If you want to save money and save the planet, contact us today.

Air conditioning, Electric Bill

Can Nest thermostats save money?

24May2020

Your air conditioner is the single largest contributor to your electric bill. If you’re working from home, keeping the entire house cool during the day can get expensive. Nest thermostats save U.S. consumers about 15% on their cooling bills and between 10-12% on heating costs.

Nest Thermostats Take You Beyond ‘Smart’ to ‘Intuitive’

Why should you have to figure out your thermostat? The Nest Thermostat learns from you. –Nest.com

Most people want programmable thermostats. We know it will reduce energy consumption and lower heating and cooling expenses. But programming them is tricky, and many people simply give up.

Nest thermostats raised the bar forever. Your home may have the same architectural floor plan as your neighbor’s, but your energy use won’t be the same. The type of home furnishings, number of household members and pets, and how you live are unique. Those dynamics greatly influence heating and cooling usage.

Nest thermostats don’t need to be programmed. They analyze your heating and cooling patterns. They learn about you; from you.

12 Benefits of Nest Thermostats

When reviewing the best smart thermostats for 2020, TechHive said, “You could just buy a Nest Learning Thermostat and call it a day.” The advantages are numerous:

Advanced auto-programming – Your Nest thermostat evaluates your patterns and preferences. Then, based on what it has learned, it programs itself to fit your schedule.
Airwave™ – Your air conditioning runs 30% less without a reduction in air comfort using Airwave technology.
Display – Nest thermostats light-up and display weather, outdoor temperature, humidity level, and time.
Ease of use – The Nest mobile app is easy to use and user-friendly.
Integration – Nest thermostats sync with other devices/appliances: security cameras, doorbells, lights, locks.
Leaf light – If the green leaf is displayed on your thermostat, you’re saving energy (and money).
Mobile alert – If the temperature drops low enough to freeze pipes or too hot, the Nest thermostat sends an alert. If your HVAC (heating, air conditioning, ventilation) system malfunctions, you’ll be notified.
Mobile app – You can change the temperature of your home from anywhere.
Reports – Energy History generates a Home Report which summarizes energy usage and also offers tips for saving energy.
Safety – If a smoke alarm or CO detector goes off, Nest will shut off the fan and/or turn off your heating/cooling system.
Save energy – Here’s a fun fact from our California friends: Since 2011, Nest users have saved enough energy to power San Francisco for 2 years.
Save money – Average energy bill savings are about $140/year.

Turn It On Electric: Helping You Find Better Ways to Manage Time and Money

You may find yourself working at home more this year. Economic conditions continue to fluctuate unpredictably. Homeowners are finding time and money management are more important than ever, but we also want to manage energy consumption.

Energy conservation is simply the right thing to do for our planet. (It’s the right thing to do for our budgets, too.) If you find you’re using more electricity this year, here are two ways to lower energy consumption:

If your family is forgetful about turning the lights off in bathrooms and other areas, consider light motion sensors for areas of your home.
Rewire your home office to accommodate increased work-at-home hours. It’s a solid investment in saving energy and increases your property value.

Turn It On Electric wants to be your electrical contractor. Please contact us if you have questions about cost-saving energy management.

Electric Bill, Residential

Is the electricity bill going up now that you work from home?

16Apr2020

Companies across a wide range of industries are embracing the growing trend of letting employees work from home. With fewer employees at physical offices, companies can save on a variety of expenses, like facilities, meals, electricity bills and more. This can free up room in the company budget for other initiatives and move the company forward.

Working remotely can be beneficial for employees as well. They\’ll no longer have to deal with the time and stress of commuting each morning and evening. Workers also have more freedom in how they structure their days, including meals and breaks. However, being at home all the time can also have its negatives, like increased electricity bills. Because you are at home all day instead of just in the evenings, your energy usage is likely to be much higher.

Here\’s what you need to know to minimize your usage and keep your electricity bills under control when working from home.

Save on Your Electricity Bill with a Smart Thermostat

If you\’re like most people, a significant chunk of your energy bill goes towards heating or cooling. Temperature control, while essential for keeping your home and workspace comfortable, is one of the biggest energy expenses.

To help keep your usage in check, consider switching to a smart thermostat. This will allow you to program your thermostat to accommodate your changing needs throughout the day. It can also make adjustments based on whether or not you are home, the time of day, the weather and more. Although you\’ll still be using your system more frequently because you are home more often, the smart thermostat can help you make the most of it and reduce its impact on your electricity bill as much as possible.

LED Lighting

Throughout your day, do your best to open your shades or blinds to allow in natural light. Not only is this safer for your eyes and better for your mood, but it will also reduce your reliance on artificial lighting. The less frequently you need to use your lights, the more you can save on your electricity bills.

Of course, you are going to need lights at some times. Rather than using traditional incandescent light bulbs, make the shift to energy-efficient LED bulbs. In addition to using less energy, thus reducing your electricity costs, LEDs last significantly longer than other bulb styles, so you\’ll save money on replacement costs as well. You can even find varieties that let you adjust the color and color temperature to suit your preferences.

Motion Sensors

As you go about your day, it can be easy to turn on lights throughout the house. What is not so easy, however, is remembering to turn them all off. Leaving your lights on when you are not in the room can add to your electricity bills over time. With motion sensors, the lights in a room will automatically turn off when the sensor detects that no one is in the room. This way, the system will switch off your lights when you forget to do it, adding up to serious savings.

Get Set Up to Work from Home

If you need to make some changes around your Phoenix house now that you work from home, Turn It On Electric is here to help. Whether you need new wiring installed to accommodate a smart thermostat or want to make the switch to energy-efficient lighting, our team can handle the job. We\’ll help you identify trouble areas to reduce your home\’s energy usage and minimize your electricity bills.

Reach out to us today to learn more about our electrical services in Phoenix. Call now to get started.

Electric Bill, Electrician, Residential

How to save electricity

28May2019

For most of us, life without electricity is not an option. You need to power devices and appliances and keep your home cool. All of this costs money. If you are not independently wealthy, you may want to find ways to save electricity.

Fortunately, you can save money by making small changes. Over time, each step can help. How great would it be to have more money at the end of the month by making a few changes at home?

Read on to learn ways to get smart with how you use power.

Bulbs and Appliances

One simple change you can make to save electricity is to use different light bulbs. If you still use incandescent bulbs, you are burning through power and the costs for replacing them. The bulbs cost less than more energy-efficient options, but you will need many more of them in the long run. Switching to CFL, or even better, LED light bulbs will help you save massive amounts of electricity over time.

Similarly, replacing your appliances with Energy Star models helps save over time. These models are specifically designed and tested to use less energy than other appliances. Any up-front cost difference will be more than covered over the life of your appliances.

Service Your Appliances

Some solutions are even simpler. Over time, appliances lose efficiency. Your refrigerator, washer, dryer, and HVAC system have to work harder to do their jobs. This means wasted electricity–and wasted money.

Check and replace your filters, and get regular service on your appliances. Do so regularly–at least every six months. This helps save electricity, protect the appliances, and extend their lives. In the interim, it keeps your energy bills low. Don\’t wait for things to break down; regular service can help you save electricity today.

Use Power Strips

Most people know they need to power down when they stop using devices. You turn off the lights and your television set. You may even shut down your computer when you leave the room.

All of this is a good start. You may not realize it, though, that many of your electronics keep drawing power when you turn them off. You can go without using some devices for days or weeks, and find an electric bill that gives no hint of savings.

One solution to save electricity is to unplug everything. While it helps you save, though, it can be very inconvenient. Instead, consider using power strips for your electronic devices. When you leave home, you can turn off the strip and cut off all the electricity going through. If power strips aren\’t your thing or they represent a tripping hazard, call us to learn about adding switches to your wall outlets.

Help from the Experts

All of these are easy DIY fixes to help you save electricity for your home. Beyond this, you can work with experts who can make your home even more energy efficient. You may benefit from updating your wiring or installing smart switches. An in-depth look at your home can yield savings from many avenues.

If you invest in smart switches, you can get out of your own way to save money. Motion control lights help you use electricity only for times you benefit from it. Further, faulty wiring or insulation can drive your energy costs way up. These are less obvious sources of savings, but can make a big difference for your wallet.

To get the most energy efficiency from your home, look at all of the ways you can conserve. A reputable electrician will find ways to save electricity throughout your home. In the Phoenix area, contact Turn It On Electric. We will examine your home and help you find ways to save.

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Chuck P

01:46 23 Jan 25

Friendly, communicative, and professional.High quality work.

Renee Delu

18:10 11 Jan 25

Mike you are the best!! God bless you for comming out saturday when I blew my fuse trying to vacumm and shout out to Josh who although not have sat office hours called me anyway after I left a voicemail. .Bob Best was here and gave me amazing information that NO OTHER electrician had. .!! I'm happy to say this is an amazing caring company...and I'm a customer for life!! Please recognize and reward Mike And Josh for them saving me on Saturday as my security system had no power and my smoke alarm had been beeping for hours. These men deserve kudos. .if you are looking fir honest and highly qualified electrical work. This is where to go. I'm thankful and grateful. Bob is now an instructor ..I'm happy to know future electricians are being schooled and trained by him. Thanks to you all

Wally Johns

01:31 11 Jan 25

Good work and very polite guys.

Rebecca RB

01:03 21 Oct 24

This company literally saved us! We had some electrical issues discovered that were rather alarming and created an issue with the garage door opener completely lost power as well as our outdoor dusk to dawn lighting and the interior garage lights. Mike the electrician came to the rescue! He listened to the issues in my non electrical language (haha) translated it and solved everything with confidence! Knowledgeable, Friendly, prompt, professional and efficient! Highly recommended! Will definitely call for future needs!

luci redmond

15:28 12 Oct 24

Great customer service & a job well done!

Samuel Heffner

17:04 14 Aug 24

I called TIO Electric because a friend referred them and they did not disappoint. I had an issue and it was rough identifying the source of the problem. Miguel and Conrad worked together to identify and solve the problem quickly. As a services based business it was extremely important to get the repair done quickly and the team stayed to ensure the job was done before they left. I expected to have to schedule another visit due to the complexity of the case, but they understood I needed to be back up and running as soon as possible and got the job done in just a few hours. They were very professional and personable and the cost was in line with what I expected.Update 8/14/24: TIO helped me again. This time with an issue I was having at my home. Marcus was very nice and knowledgable and was able to identify the problem and make the repair in quick time. I had a secondary issue I wasn't too worried about, but Marcus took care of that as well. These guys know what they're doing. Still highly recommend.They did a great job. I would definitely recommend them for projects big and small.

Caren Zellmer

12:46 03 Jul 24

Excellent service!! Marcus has been to our house a couple of times and completed the work doing an AMAZING job. He was very polite, professional and explained every process to us. His work was also completed in a timely manner. It is very rare to find anyone with great work ethic anymore! This company is very lucky to have him. We would definitely recommend and use Turn It On Electric again.

Bob

14:42 10 Jun 22

They were on time, clean, friendly, professional and did an amazing job. I would have to say that the price was fair considering the amount of work done. Highly recommend Turn It On Electrical!

Category Archives: Electric Bill