San Diego Electrical Professionals Society
Three Electrical Upgrades that Help Lower Utility Bills
The San Diego Electrical Professionals Society (SDEPS) are urging home owners who are planning a renovation project to consider electrical upgrades that promote efficient use of energy. The SDEPS says such move will help them save on electrical costs and lower their carbon footprint at the same time.
SDEPS President John Lucas says these upgrades are well worth the upfront cost because it is bound to help the household garner savings on utility expenses. “Since they are already in the process of renovating their homes, and may need to update their electrical systems, why not consider some upgrades that will help them be more efficient?” Lucas says.
Here are some of the electrical upgrades suggested by the SDEPS:
1. Installing Dimmer Switches – Dimmer controls the output of a bulb when not in use. According to the United States Department of Energy, this can help homes save a substantial amount on utility costs.
“Dimmers are inexpensive and provide some energy savings when lights are used at a reduced level. They also increase the service life of lightbulbs significantly. However, dimming reduces an incandescent bulb's lumen output more than its wattage. This makes the bulbs less efficient as they are dimmed.” Read the rest of the Department of Energy’s Explanation here.
2. Upgrade to Energy Star Appliances and HVAC Systems – If you need to upgrade your kitchen appliances, your washers, or your HVAC systems, make sure that they are Energy Star products. Energy Star appliances are those that are certified by the US Federal Government to consume less power as against its traditional counterparts. In one of its write ups Energy Sage highlighted the many benefits of buying Energy Star Appliances. Build Safe
“ENERGY STAR appliances usually cost 9 to 25 percent less to operate than conventional products. Washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, and dehumidifiers are just some examples of the types of ENERGY STAR certified products available. ENERGY STAR appliances reduce energy usage by both lowering electricity use and reducing water use, which reduces the amount of energy used to heat water.” The rest of the feature write-up can be found here. https://news.energysage.com/five-tips-cut-electric-bill-half/
3. Install Ceiling Fans – Having ceiling fans can take a lot of pressure from the HVAC system in terms of cooling a home. Fans cool people and not areas, and so these could be turned off when nobody is around helping you save on your energy expenses. It is best installed in attics where it could be really hot during summers. Independent Electrical Contractors Association:
The SDEPS says, homeowners should take advantage of their remodeling or home appliance upgrades to choose more energy efficient appliances.