Increase Your Savings With These Energy-efficient Tips

Make a New Year's resolution to reduce the amount of energy you use. Being energy-efficient is both good for the environment and your wallet - it's the easiest way to reduce your utility bill. You can use both short- and long-term strategies to save.

Short-term Energy Efficiency

• Switch off appliances.Appliances and electronics account for about 18 percent of the average utility bill. Turn off chargers, TVs, toasters and computers when not in use. These appliances go into standby mode otherwise and still use energy. Also turn off lights or fans in rooms that are unoccupied. If you have trouble remembering, consider a home automation system that allows you to control your electrical lighting with a remote, like the Lutron Homeworks system offered by David Gray Electrical.
• Don't run heat or air on high.Set your thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter or 78 degrees in the summer to decrease your energy use. Turn it even lower or higher when you are away. By conserving your air, you could save up to 3 percent on your electric bill for each degree.

Long-term Energy Efficiency

• Insulate your home.Many homes, especially older ones, are not insulated properly, which increases the costs of heating and cooling. If you install proper windows, ducts and insulation, it will both increase savings and the comfort of your home.
• Buy energy-efficient appliances.Newer appliances are becoming more efficient. In fact, they use about half the electricity as those from two decades ago. If you are considering buying appliances, look for those that are qualified by Energy Star. Replacing a 10-year-old fridge for an Energy Star-rated model could save you up to $100 per year.

David Gray Electrical provides remodeling, service upgrades and home automation to help you save on energy. For more information, call David Gray Electrical at 904-724-7211 or visit us at www.davidgrayelectricalservices.com