Published on

Save Money on Electric Bills: Tips to Conserve Energy and Cut Costs

With energy costs going through the roof lately, people across New York City are eager to conserve energy and reduce their expenses with Con Edison. Fortunately, there are tons of ways you can cut back on electricity consumption without feeling a pinch. If you want to save money on electric bills, tips from the experts at Bolt Electric are the way to go.

Install Energy-Efficient Appliances

Eliminate electricity guzzlers

Old appliances can use shockingly high amounts of electricity, especially refrigerators, which run 24/7. Inefficient fridge compressors and leaky gaskets can run up your bill in no time. It’s best to replace these electricity hogs with Energy Star Certified appliances. You may pay more up front, but you’ll save big in the long run.

If you’re not sure how much electricity an appliance is using, try a voltage calculator. Plug the device into the outlet, and then plug your appliance into the device. It will tell you how much energy you’re using, whether the appliance is running or not (e.g., microwaves, coffee makers, etc.).

Repair or Replace Poorly Functioning Water Heaters

Don’t let your heater run constantly

A water heater that’s reaching the end of its lifespan or that’s malfunctioning can also eat up electricity. This usually happens when one of the following occurs:

• The heating element is on its way out.
• The heating element at the bottom of the tank is buried in sediment or hard water mineral scale and therefore struggles to heat water.
• The tank is poorly insulated.
• The tank has a leak, so fresh water is constantly being warmed.

Your water heater will also run too much if either it’s too small for the demand placed on it or the temperature is set too high. By law, hot water shouldn’t be lower than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, but it doesn’t need to be much hotter either.

If lowering your heater’s setting isn’t the solution, you may need to repair the heater or replace it entirely. On-demand hot water heaters might be one option, as they only run when hot water is needed; there is no tank to constantly keep warm.

Keep the Boiler Running in Top Shape

Save your boiler’s electrical components

Whether used only for heat or for both heat and hot water, the building’s boiler is the heart of the property’s essential services. Although you probably heat the boiler with gas, there are numerous elements of the boiler powered by electricity, such as the automatic water feeder, hot water circulator, and other parts with pumps.

When you keep your boiler in good condition, you keep those parts from running unnecessarily. (Bonus: this also saves your boiler system, not just money on your electricity bill.)

Use Programmable Thermostats and Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Get the temperature just right

Many condos and co-ops in New York City are either overheated or underheated in winter. Rather than wasting energy by running the boiler too much or resorting to supplemental portable heaters (which are also a fire hazard), use devices to set the perfect temperature in each living space.

Thermostatic radiator valves can “talk” to programmable thermostats to allow the right amount of steam for the desired temperature in any room. These thermostats can be set to raise and lower the heat at predetermined times of the day, such as when rising, when leaving for work, when coming home, and when going to sleep at night. And most models these days can be controlled remotely via a smart home hub or personal mobile device.

Check Property Insulation and Sealing

Don’t waste heat and cooling energy

Keeping your boiler happy and using the right thermostat will be moot if units aren’t sealed well against the outdoors. Using insulation, door seals, and thermal windows will prevent the loss of warmth in winter and cooled air in summer.

Places that usually need assessment for energy loss include:

• North-facing walls
• Walls exposed to wind
• Areas that don’t get much sun
• Spaces near the roof, attic, etc.
• Doors leading to terraces and balconies
• Perimeter of window air conditioning units
• Old windows that haven’t been modernized to close tightly

Add Photocells and Automatic Light Switches

Don’t run lights unnecessarily

Leaving lights on when no one needs them is another common source of wasted electricity and money. Individuals can use timers or phone apps to control their lights, and there are options for public spaces too.

Photocell lights use sensors to turn on automatically at dusk and go off again at sunrise. These are great for landscaping, entryways, and other outdoor areas. Motion sensor switches can be used in other areas where people enter sporadically, like laundry rooms, provided occupants feel safe with this method.

Switch to LED Light Bulbs

Get rid of old-fashioned incandescent bulbs

Old bulbs are being phased out across the US and with good reason. They use quite a bit more electricity than LED bulbs, which don’t get nearly as hot to generate illumination. You also don’t have to replace LED bulbs nearly as often, which saves on bulb cost and manpower.

While it used to be that LED bulbs were harsh and unattractive, now they come in many forms and tones. You can find warm white and natural sunlight LED bulbs that are flattering and inviting for everyday use, as well as colored LEDs for interest and LED strips to light up stairs, the area under cabinets, and the like.

Miscellaneous Expert Tips

There are other small ways to save that add up

Cutting your electric bill is often best done by taking many steps that add up to big savings. Here are some final professional tips for reducing your costs even more:

• Add insulating window treatments to prevent heat or cooling loss.
• Install ceiling fans to move air during the warmest and coldest months of the year.
• Only run appliances, like dishwashers and clothes washers, with full loads (but don’t overfill either).
• Air-dry clothing instead of running the dryer.
• Use the cold cycle on the clothes washer whenever possible.
• Clean the exhaust vent and lint trap of the clothes dryer frequently.
• Keep freezers between zero and five degrees Fahrenheit and refrigerators between 35 and 38 degrees.
• Leave space between your refrigerator and the wall behind it to prevent overheating.
• Don’t use electric ovens to heat items that could be cooked in a microwave or toaster oven.
• Turn off electronics, like televisions, when not in use.
• Use smart power strips to turn off multiple devices simultaneously, e.g., when you turn off the TV, the DVR and speakers go off too.
• Use dimmer switches that draw less current and therefore less overall electricity.
• Use the energy efficiency features of your smart meter to decide when to use electrical items or when you’re consuming too much electricity for the rate at that hour.

Need help replacing old appliances, installing more efficient lighting options, or adding programmable thermostats? Bolt Electric is here to help. Call us at 212-434-0098 today to schedule an appointment.