Residential – Page 14 – Turn It On Electric

12 Hacks for Electric Bill Savings

30Sep2022

There are many variables that contribute to electric bill savings. If your home is the same basic architecture as your neighbor’s but your electric bill is higher, it’s worth investigating what’s different in your household. Are your family members energy hogs? Another factor is your home’s age. If you have a “good old house,” you can implement electric bill savings using some of these 12 tips.

Home Electric Bill Savings in AZ

To paraphrase a quote, great things can happen when a series of small things are brought together. Electric bill savings are almost insignificant with one or two changes. But when you make several adjustments, you can see significant improvements in your annual electric bill.

Here are twelve energy modifications:

Add window shades to rooms – The sun’s light can warm a room that your AC will struggle to keep cool.
Change your air filter more often – Just changing your air filter once a month can lower your electric bill. It also saves money because your expensive HVAC system won’t have to work so hard.
Consider mini-split AC – In Arizona, air conditioning is our biggest energy expense, and can account for 40%-70% of your electric bill. Mini-split AC units can reduce energy expenses by about 30% for significant electric bill savings. They’re easy to install and also increase property value.
Do laundry at night – And consider air drying.
Get an attic fan – If you’ve climbed into the attic in August, you know exactly how smotheringly hot Arizona attics get. A ventilation fan can cool your attic and force the hot air outside. This can lower the temperature in your home.
Install solar panels – Granted, this isn’t a small change, but it packs a powerful punch in saving electricity. The ROI (return on investment) is realized by reducing energy, tax savings, and increasing property value.
Keep fridge clean – A cluttered refrigerator/freezer pulls more power as it attempts to circulate air properly.
Reduce brightness – Computer and television screens’ brightness can be reduced by as much as 70% without degrading the view.
Request money-saving electrical upgrades – These include:
- Adding timers to lights
- Ceiling fans
- Install dimmer switches
- LED light replacements
- Replacing outdoor lights with timed lights
- Replacing thermostat with smart thermostat (A Wi-Fi thermostat can save $50-$145 annually.)
Schedule a home energy audit – These cost about $100 and will pinpoint areas of your home where you’re losing energy. You can then plan for solutions to stop air conditioning (or heating) the outdoors.
Switch to double-pane windows – This is a surprising upgrade because it doesn’t cost too much but can deliver very good electric bill savings. If you choose Energy Star-certified windows you’ll save even more.
Upgrade your insulation – It’s surprising how many people think insulation is only to keep homes warm in winter. It’s also a factor in keeping homes cool. If it’s compressed or damaged, an investment in adding spray foam insulation can lower energy bills.

Save Money With LEED-Certified Electricians

Reducing your carbon footprint may have an initial higher cost but you’ll save money on electric bills. There are many electrical upgrades to consider, and each one has a timeframe in which your investment pays for itself.

To make sustainable energy changes, you should work with LEED-certified electricians. You won’t necessarily pay more, but you’ll definitely save more. To learn more, contact Turn It On Electric.

Electric Bill, Residential

5 Ways to Save Energy by Using Timers

30Sep2022

By using timers do you really save energy? And are the energy savings measurable enough to be worth the trouble? Truthfully, it’s more about convenience than saving energy. But timers will save energy and that willpositively impact (lower) your electric bills.

How Using Timers Can Lower Your Electric Bill

When timer switches aren\’t installed, turning lights on and off is controlled by you. But you don’t have to do anything after they’re programmed. The most common way most of us use timers is front-door lighting. It’s easy to remember to turn the lights on at dusk but difficult to remember to turn them off. Many people that leave the house before daylight forget. The front porch lights are frequently left on all day.

Timer switches don’t cost much. You can buy them online and pay anywhere from $6-$90. (Our advice is free. We recommend you call us before you buy.) Even if you ask your local electric professional to buy them for you, it’s an inexpensive investment that delivers long-term savings and reduces short-term irritability.

Here are 5 ways to save money and reduce energy consumption by using timers:

1. HVACs

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems use a lot of electricity. A one- or 2-story home can use about 3,000-5,000 kW per hour. Energy costs here in Arizona are 15% higher than in most states. We pay about 15¢/KwH (kilowatt-hour). If you need a cooler temperature for sleeping that can be higher later, a timer can reduce air conditioning and lower energy use as desired.

2. In-house room timers

If you’re tired of saying, “Turn out the lights” to friends and family members who could care less, using timers is the fix. You can have a programmable timer. Consider motion-activated lighting that shuts off when people exit the room. These are the easiest method of controlling lighting use per room.

3. Sleep devices

A lot of people enjoy soothing ocean sounds that lull them to sleep. Babies sleepily respond to “white noise.” Some electronics do that, but they stay on all night. Timers can program those devices to operate for an hour or more and then shut off.

4. Using timers to control exterior lighting

Outside lights provide safety and security. Commercial property owners strive to provide adequate outdoor lighting to reduce their liabilities from injury. If you have elderly or mobility-challenged loved ones, you want a clear and easy path to your entrance.

You likely want a crime deterrent, and that’s another reason for installing exterior lights. Backyards are common routes trespassers use because we often neglect to adequately light that area.

Using timers means turning exterior light fixtures on at dusk and off at sunrise. It’s convenient and automatic.

5. Water pumps as an energy-saving investment

You may have your pool pump on a timer. If you have a decorative water fountain, it can be put on a timer too. But many people don’t know you can use a timer on your water heater.

Think about it: You may be a morning-shower family, so you use a lot of hot water to prepare for work and school. Maybe you’re an after-work showerer plus you need hot water for meal prep. But that’s it.

While you’re at work and asleep, there’s no need for hot water, so a hot water recirculation pump returns your unused hot water back into the water heater. It can save about $50/year. Recirculation pumps are as low as $100, so they can pay for themselves in about two years.

When Energy Matters, Call TIO

We are the Phoenix-area LEED-certified electricians. If you are interested in a whole-house LED light conversion or installing timers, contact Turn It On Electric.

Electric Bill, Residential

Quick & Easy Tips to Lower Energy Consumption This Fall

30Sep2022

Our government is encouraging consumers to reduce energy use. There are new tax advantages to going solar. Solar energy investments could save $500/year in energy costs. Also in place are new lower energy consumption incentives for investing in electric vehicles.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will effectively lower energy consumption. It can save consumers $209-$278 billion over the next decade. This means approximate annual savings of $170-$220 on your electric bill every year.

Can we do more? Yes!

13 Do-It-Yourself Hacks That Lower Energy Consumption

Today’s game-changing technology and an influx of homeowner-newcomers mean there’s always going to be something new to learn about saving money without compromising lifestyle. Here are tried-and-true energy-saving hacks that lower energy consumption:

Change air filters more frequently – Your HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system works harder when filters are dirty. They don’t cost much, so changing air filters more often saves energy.
Check for minor repairs – A drippy or leaky faucet doesn’t seem to waste that much water. But it’s wasteful and an easy DIY fix.
Don’t use the “hot” washer setting – The water doesn’t get hot enough to kill most bacteria anyway. Hot water uses more electricity. It also tends to shrink and erode fabrics, so you’ll get more wear-and-tear from your clothing with cold water.
Go LED – As days grow shorter, we use our lights longer. If you haven’t by now, just do it: An investment in LED lighting is a great long-term energy- and money-saver.
Kill the vampires – If it’s not in use, unplug it. You’re spending $40-$50/year on energy consumption for plugged-in but unused TVs and other electrical devices and appliances.
Reduce washloads – Let the dirty clothes pile up longer if possible. Try to avoid small washer loads and you can save as much as $30/year.
Replace old energy hogs – Older appliances are less energy efficient. If your fridge or water heater is between 12-15 years old, consider upgrading to energy-efficient models.
Timers save energy – Ask your local electrician where timers can be placed to reduce energy consumption.
Toss a towel – Throw a towel into every load to reduce dryer time. This little DIY hack saves energy because even gas dryers must be plugged in.
Turn off the dishwasher’s “heat dry” setting – Air drying and dishtowel drying will save energy.
Turn off the lights – Train your children to turn off lights when exiting rooms. If necessary, train your spouse or partner also.
Turn the thermostat down at night – Phoenix and Yuma are our state’s hottest cities. (Valley temperatures hit a record-breaking 122° in June 1990.) We tend to keep the AC on full blast much of the year. Because it cools down naturally at night, consider dropping your thermostat at bedtime.
Upgrade/add insulation – Insulation batts can compress or degrade over time. Ask your insulation pro if blown-in or additional insulation will lower energy bills.

Ask LEED-Certified Turn It On Electric About Energy Management

A home electric car charging station makes life simpler. Ceiling fans will also lower energy consumption and regulate room temperatures. But electrical installations are not do-it-yourself projects.

Turn It On Electric can install everything from charging stations to light-fixtured ceiling fans. (Ask our TIO specialists how ceiling fan rotation can make a difference.) Our electrical professionals practice Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. To learn more about energy-saving ideas that can improve security and enhance your lifestyle, contact TIO Electric.

Electrical Wiring, Residential

Outlet and Switch Replacement: 6 Things to Know

27Aug2022

Outlet and switch replacement isn’t a typical home improvement and certainly not a DIY (do-it-yourself) job. It’s probably not a project you’d plan for aesthetics, but outlet and switch replacement can improve property value and reduce risks.

Clues You May Need Outlet and Switch Replacement

Many homeowners schedule electrical inspections every five years. When you consider the additional technology that increases our electrical use every year, electrical home and office inspections in Phoenix should be scheduled every 2 years.

If you suspect you need outlet and switch replacement, here are six questions to ask yourself:

Are any plug-in outlets or light switches hot, have burn/scorch marks, or faulty?
This includes loose/wobbly switches. If your electric fireplace has a delayed start or it takes several attempts to get a light fixture to turn on, your switches are fire risks.
Loose outlets or connectors/plug-ins that fall out of the outlet are red flags.
Do you have arcing outlets/switches?
Signs include black/burn marks on plug-in outlets and switches, cracks or damaged coverplates, or loose connections.
Do you hear noises (buzzing) from a light fixture or switch?
Even if the noise seems to be coming from the light fixture, it can indicate a faulty switch.
Do your lights flicker or cycle off and on?
Defective single-pole switches, as well as 3-way switches, can cause flickering lights/short-cycling.
How old is your electrical system?
Twenty years is a benchmark for having your electrical system inspected for safety. Usage makes a difference; some switches and outlets are seldom used and many are over-used.
How old is your home or commercial property?
If it was built more than 20 years ago, residential or commercial electrical inspection in Phoenix may reveal you need outlet/switch replacement.

FYIs About Outlet and Switch Replacement

You make informed decisions when you strive to learn more about your property’s electrical usage, conduits, and components. For example, make a list of all heavy-duty appliances and their outlets. When you add a new appliance that is heavy with technology whistles and bells, your electrical load probably increases.

Here are some for-your-information facts:

If you have a light switch that “doesn’t do anything,” it may be a switched outlet. An example would be a bedroom that has no light fixture/chandelier…but there’s a light switch by the door.
Some outlets are “angled,” and others are flat. The angled outlets are designed to allow 2-prong connectors to plug in more tightly.
The average home has 70+ outlets. Other words used for “outlets” include “receptacles” and “plug-ins.”
The NEC (National Electrical Code) says outlets can be installed with the ground up, down, or sideways. What’s your preference?
There’s more than one way to wire an electrical outlet.
- Back wiring – Good option
- Side wiring – Most frequently used
- Speed wiring – Not recommended
Turn It On Electric welcomes your questions and can provide free estimates for electrical upgrades, including outlet and switch replacement

Let’s discuss a home improvement project that offers the best possible ROI (return on investment): safety. If you’re planning to sell your “good old house,” this kind of investment will also increase your property value in a competitive market.

To learn more, contact TIO Electric.

Residential

Installing Dedicated Outlets for the Holidays

27Aug2022

When it comes to electrical usage, most of us are pushing the envelope. If the fall/winter holidays include your own personal “festival of lights,” dedicated outlets may be needed this year. In fact, dedicated outlets for holiday lighting are a good idea for everyone.

Dedicated Outlets, Circuits Provide Protection

Amps (amperes) are how we measure electrical current units. Most home receptacles can handle up to 20 amps, but you don’t want to go much over 15 amps to be safe. Overheated wires and circuitry are fire risks.

If you already have an occasional short circuit, contact your local electrician before adding holiday lights to your home this year. For example, if you can’t use your toaster without unplugging the microwave, you need electrical upgrades. A dedicated outlet has its own circuit breaker. And a dedicated circuit breaker only supports one outlet.

Upgrading holiday lights from incandescent to LED saves money and energy. It’s possible LED lights can reduce electrical usage enough to justify buying new lights. (Don’t throw those old lights away; donate them or find a recycling center.)

Outside Holiday Lights

The animatronic Santa on your roof this year?
Maybe you should let your circuits decide. –TheSpruce.com

You’ll need to determine if parallel or series circuitry is best for your outdoor dedicated outlets. Parallel lighting might be best because if one bulb burns out, it only affects that one string.

Protecting your outdoor lights from weather and other dangers is another consideration. To safeguard your outdoor lights against animals that might chew on the wiring, consider steel wire-armored (SWA) cabling, which is rubber-insulated. It’s waterproof and longer-lasting than PVC-reinforced cable.

Dedicated outlets can use ambient light detection. This means your lights will automatically come on at dusk; off at sunrise. Most people prefer the ability to turn outdoor lights on from inside their homes.

Adding a dedicated outlet is better than using an existing socket.
An existing socket with GFCI (ground fault current interrupter) can serve as a dedicated outlet.
Outdoor lights must have a GFCI (ground fault current interrupter).
The installation of or conversion to dedicated outlets is never a DIY (do-it-yourself) job.

Indoor Holiday Lights

Tree lights, mantle and wall illuminated decorations… These are considered temporary electrical infrastructures. But the damage they can cause from overloading your circuits could last much longer.

How many indoor lights can you plug into one wall outlet?

The strings attach together, so you can have 100 or a thousand Griswold-blinding tree lights. There’s no one formula for how many tree lights you need:

Better Homes & Gardens says you need three 100-light strands for every foot of tree height.
Real Simple says you need one 100-light strand for every foot of tree height.
Turn It On Electric says you should use whatever is safe for your outlet(s) and circuitry.

Decorating a tree is so fun you must wonder why we only do it once a year! But you really don’t know how much electricity you’re pulling with all those light strands hooked into each other.

Tree adaptors are a dangerous idea. Any electrical surge could cause electrocution or fire.

Rather than create dedicated outlets for indoor illuminations, you may want to add dedicated circuitry for your large appliances that need it anyway. This would lower the risk of overload and provide a permanent solution to increased electrical usage.

Safe Homes for the Holidays

It’s never too soon to begin planning for holiday lighting electrical safety in Phoenix. Let’s assess your home’s electrical setup and discuss ways to protect against overloaded circuits. Contact TIO Electric.

Previous page 1 … 12 13 14 15 16 … 35 Next page

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!