When the cost of energy starts to rise it's natural to want to look towards ways to save money. Without realising it, the way you're using the energy in your home could be costing you more than you need to spend. Here are some ways an electrician can help you save money.
Installing Dimmers
Do you shy away from flicking on your lights because you don't want them to blaze too brightly? One way to overcome this is to install dimmers. Dimmers allow you to set your lighting at an acceptable level for the mood you're in. At the same time, they'll use less energy. So not only will your home have a nicer ambience, you'll spend less money each month in the process.
Advice on Phantom Energy
Without thinking about it, you may leave several devices plugged in overnight. After all, if you're not actively using them they can't be using much energy, right? Unfortunately, that's not quite correct. Appliances such as televisions, speakers and anything else you may leave dormant can use a chunk of energy. It's good practice to do a sweep of your home and turn anything off that doesn't require 24/7 power. Ask your electrician for advice on the biggest culprits and you should see your energy usage go down.
Surge Protection
If you have expensive devices throughout your property, you may want to consider asking your electrician to install a surge protector. Surge protectors absorb surges of extra voltage. Without a protector in place, there's always a risk that a surge of electricity will damage your devices. When that happens, you may need to pay for repairs or replacements. In the long term, a surge protector can prolong the lifespan of your electronics and reduce the need for you to replace them too often.
Smart Metres
A smart metre allows you to identify how much money you're spending each day on electricity. When you can see that spending in real-time, you can start switching off devices or altering your energy use to effect a difference. For example, you can adjust your heating or air conditioning by a degree and see the impact it has. Or, you can measure the amount you save when you unplug chargers and dormant televisions. Overall, the good habits a smart metre promotes can save you a lot of money as the years go on.
Finally, if you notice your energy bills shoot up randomly for any reason, always consult an electrician. They may be able to identify a fault that's costing you an unnecessary amount of money.
For more information, contact an electrician near you.
