Here in Texas, the summer electric bill can be a real shock. If you’ve ever wondered where all that power goes, here’s the rundown, plus some simple ways to use less of it.
The biggest users
Heating and cooling. In most Texas homes, the air conditioner is the biggest user by far. It runs for months, and on a 100-degree day it hardly gets a break.
Water heater. An electric water heater runs every time you take a shower, do laundry, or run the dishwasher.
Clothes dryer. Drying clothes takes a lot of heat, and heat takes a lot of electricity.
Refrigerators and freezers. They run all day, every day. That old fridge or second freezer in the garage can use more power than you’d think, especially in a hot garage.
Pool pumps. If you have a pool, the pump can be one of the bigger users in the house.
Lighting and electronics. Each one is small, but they add up. A lot of electronics keep drawing a little power even when they’re turned off.
Easy ways to save
- Set your thermostat a few degrees higher in summer, and higher still when nobody’s home. A smart thermostat can do this for you.
- Change your AC filter regularly. A dirty filter makes your system work harder.
- Switch to LED bulbs. They use a fraction of the power of old bulbs and last for years.
- Turn your water heater down to about 120 degrees.
- Run full loads in the washer and dishwasher, and dry clothes on a line when the weather’s nice.
- Unplug that garage fridge if it’s just holding a few drinks.
- Use power strips for your TV and computer setups so you can shut everything off at once.
When the bill doesn’t add up
If your bill jumps and you can’t figure out why, or your breakers trip when the AC is running, it might be worth having an electrician take a look. Worn-out wiring, an overloaded panel, or a bad connection can waste power and cause bigger problems down the road.
We can also help with LED lighting upgrades, outdoor lighting on timers, and other changes that save you money month after month.