We all want to keep our electric bill low throughout the year.
As ElectriCities’ energy advisors, Alan Miller and John Keever are energy efficiency experts who evaluate homes and businesses in public power communities to find money-saving efficiencies year-round.
Alan and John are here to help when you find yourself asking, “Why is my electric bill so high?”
Here are the questions they suggest you ask yourself to find ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money on your bill.
- “What temperature is comfortable in my home?”
Checking air filters can help boost energy efficiency.
Your heating and cooling system works hard to keep your space warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Our energy advisors suggest keeping the thermostat at 68°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer. Think to yourself: What temperature is comfortable for me? Can I change what I wear at home to be comfortable at a slightly cooler or warmer temperature, depending on the season?
- “What was my energy consumption like last month?”
Keep in mind that the energy bill you pay this month is for the energy you used last month. Temperatures may be moderate in March when you’re paying your bill for energy you used in February when multiple days had freezing temperatures and your heater was working hard to keep you warm. You can refresh your memory about the weather last month with our weather tracking tool: TempTracker 365™.
- “If it’s nice out, could I shut off my heating and cooling system?”
Remember, this is not a question for every day of the year. However, spring is here and, with it, so are more comfortable temperatures. When it feels nice to you outside, consider turning off your heating and cooling system, opening windows, and enjoying the fresh air.
- “When is the last time I changed the filters in my home?”
Dirty filters make your heating and cooling system work harder, use more energy, and ultimately raise your bill. Set a reminder on your phone to check filters once a month. Switch out the dirty ones for new filters. Remember, affordable filters work just as well as expensive ones.
Alan and John conduct energy audits in public power communities across North Carolina for ElectriCities, a membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to community owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia—collectively known as public power.
For more energy-saving tips and resources, including in-person and virtual energy audits, contact your public power provider.