Trying to lower your electric bill? Reducing your electric use doesn’t mean you have to sweat it out until October to save money. We’ll help you sleuth out the highest energy users so you can make the biggest difference.

Where Does the Power Go?

Before you can make a plan to use less energy, you should identify the biggest energy users in your home. Here’s one way to follow the clues:

• What’s always on (like your refrigerator)
• What’s used most (like your AC in summer)
• What’s outdated or inefficient (like an old water heater, refrigerators, etc.)

According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about two-thirds of your home’s electricity goes to everyday appliances, such as refrigerators, lights, and electronics.

Here are the puzzle pieces:

• Air Conditioning – 16%
• Space Heating – 10%
• Water Heating – 9%
• Refrigerators – 14% (the most energy-hungry appliance)
• Lighting – 9%
• Clothes Dryers – 6%
• Freezers and TVs – 3% each

AC units: the Usual Suspects

In hot areas like Arizona, air conditioning ranks first in energy use. Your AC works hard to help your home stay pleasant during the hottest parts of the day, and you may feel like there’s no way to reduce usage without compromising comfort. However, using ceiling fans, closing curtains and blinds, and installing smart thermostats that adjust to your schedule can help you dial back usage and still stay comfortable.

Takeaway: Crack the Case

Simple maintenance can help keep your electric usage in check.

For your AC, that means changing the filters monthly and having a professional perform annual maintenance. Setting your temperature a little higher can mean big savings. For every degree you dial up, you’ll see savings of up to 3 percent on your bills. Our Efficient Home Program offers rebates to help offset the cost of maintenance like duct sealing, AC tune-ups and coil cleanings, as well as the purchase of high-efficiency heat pumps and air conditioners.

For your always-on fridge, you’ll want to clean the coils regularly and make sure the seals are still functioning so you don’t lose conditioned air. If you can easily slide a credit card between the door and the frame, adjust or replace the seal.

Weather-proof your home. Look closely at the doors that open to the outdoors.  If you see light coming in, that means your cool air is escaping outside. Caulking and weatherstripping around doors and windows is an inexpensive and highly effective way to prevent drafts and air leaks.

Be aware of which appliances generate heat. Ovens, stoves, and clothes dryers heat your home up and make your AC work harder to keep your home cool. Try to shift your usage of these appliances to the evening after outdoor temps drop.

Ceiling fans are the unsung heroes of energy savings. The Department of Energy says that you can raise your thermostat up to 4 degrees while still feeling cool…as long as you have a ceiling fan running. In summer, your fan should run counterclockwise to create a cool breeze. In winter, reverse the blades to keep your home warm.

Looking for more? Visit our web page on energy saving tips and you’ll be ready to upgrade, unplug, or reduce your way to lower bills and a more energy-efficient home.