In Texas, the typical family spends $1500 per year on home energy costs, but that figure is likely to rise. Due to increased demand, natural disasters, and other factors, energy costs have risen across the board this year, and Texans are taking notice to their electric bills. Just as you have had to pay more at the pump this year, Texas electricity suppliers like Reliant Energy in Houston and TXU Energy in Dallas/ Ft. Worth are increasing their prices to you. Today, families need to do what they can to lower their energy costs more than ever.
The first step is to have an electricity savings plan in place for your home and to fully understand where you are spending the majority of your electricity dollars. In most homes, air conditioning, heating, lighting and appliances make up the majority of the electricity spend each year. By making energy efficient enhancements to your home, switching to a low cost provider, and lowering your electricity consumption you can lower your energy costs by up to 50%.
Texas has hot summers and cold winters and one of the main costs is operating your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Start by having a certified HVAC technician properly maintain and/ or upgrade your HVAC equipment. Energy efficient HVAC systems might cost more, but they will more than pay for themselves over their lifetime plus add value to your home. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or above in the summer and spring months and as low as possible in the winter months. Every degree below 78 increases your cooling costs by almost 10%. To further reduce the burden on your HVAC system, you need to properly insulate your home to keep the cool air inside your home in the summer and warm air inside in the winter. Make sure you have the proper insulation in your attic, a sufficient amount of caulk and weather-stripping around your windows and doors, and insulation on all exterior outlets and electrical receptacles, as this will reduce the flow of air into and out of your home.
Change out your incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs. Fluorescent light bulbs use less electricity, last longer than incandescent bulbs, and will save you up to 25% on your lighting cost. Make sure to purchase appliances with the Energy Star logo. Energy Star appliances help save you money through their advanced construction and design. To learn more about Energy Star programs, you can visit their website at: www.energystar.gov. Turn on your fans. Up to 70% of your summer electricity usage comes from your air conditioner. By turning on a fan, a room can feel up 5 degrees cooler. In the winter months, change your ceiling fans switches to a clockwise rotation. This allows the fans to bring the warmer air down.
Besides reducing your electricity consumption, with electricity deregulation in Texas you now have a choice in your Texas electricity provider, and you still get the same reliable electricity service and the only thing that changes is billing and customer service. The actual delivery of electricity is still delivered by the same wires company that is responsible for maintaining the wires and poles, delivery of the electricity, and responding to emergency outages. Retail electric providers will compete for your business by offering lower electric rates, added customer service benefits, or renewable energy options. You can order your electricity service online from retail electric providers like, Cirro Energy and Green Mountain Energy by visiting www.electricitytx.com.
The key to reducing energy costs in your home is to make the entire house as energy efficient as possible and shopping for the best rates available to you. Follow these helpful steps and you will notice a dramatic change in your Texas electricity bills for the better.
Jerry Dyess is currently the Managing Partner of ElectricityTX.com. Detailed information about Texas electricity savings, including energy saving tips for the home are available at http://www.electricitytx.com
