10 Simple Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bills

Texas residents probably still remember vividly how the state underwent a rash of Texas electricity emergencies after the extremely hot summer heat forced consumers to use more electricity, threatened grid reserve levels, sparked increases in electricity rates, and put the state on a brink of rolling blackouts. The Texas grid operator called on the public to do their part and conserve electricity right in their own homes.
The threat of another hot Texas summer is still in the horizon but Texas consumers need not wait for such extremes to happen before they can start conserving energy. As a Texas electricity consumer you can do so by following cheap and easy solutions first, simple ways where you can save money on your electrical bills – and you can start with the following list:

• The lighting of the future will focus more on using compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LED bulbs. Other lighting technologies are being developed now that could save even more electricity. But why wait for these new things to come when you can save energy now by using CFL lamps available in the market. They are a bit pricier than incandescent but the overall savings you can get with prolonged use can more than compensate for that

• Phone chargers and other small electric devices that are constantly plugged in can consume trickle amounts of electricity even on standby mode. It would not amount to much if you’re looking at such consumptions individually but this minute amounts can be substantial if you add them all up

• Microwave ovens and other appliances can still consume leakage currents when not in use and plugged into the electricity outlet. Pulling or unplugging them out one by one each time you are not using them can be tedious so it would be best to use power strips with individual on/off switches per outlet. The power strip can practically isolate the appliances from the outlet when the switch is turned off, thereby preventing leakage currents from seeping through

• You don’t need to have your thermostat at full blast all the time, especially when you’re not at home. A programmable thermostat is what you need to automatically adjust the temperature only when needed and according to a schedule. In relation to this, you can also raise the thermostat setting just enough to make it comfortable. These things can save you on cooling costs quite significantly if done regularly.

• Air conditioning is one major source of Texas electricity consumption so you would want to use more energy efficient models. If changing units is not viable for you at the moment, you can ensure that your air conditioning unit is running at optimum condition by making sure that the filters are properly cleaned or replaced. Clogged filters means your air conditioning unit will work doubly hard – and in the process consume more electricity.

• Air leaks can affect your air conditioning system, making them consume more electricity when compressors work extra hard to compensate for loses in the cool air. You should properly insulate you doors, windows and floors for any leaks that may drive cool air out of the house instead of cooling people inside

• The use of thermal curtains can prevent the heat of the sun from dissipating into the room, increasing room temperature and triggering the air conditioning system to work some more. The materials used for thermal curtains can reflect solar heat back instead of being absorbed by your home.

• Speaking of reflection, painting your roof flat white can help reflect the sun’s rays back. Roofs are directly exposed to the sun, heating your ceiling and the top floors and eventually increase the overall temperature in your home, and painting your roof white can be a cost-effective way of doing this.

• Washing dishes or cleaning clothes need not be done in super heated water. You can lower down the temperate during cleaning operation or you can eventually stop using hot water for cleaning. Cold water can get clothes and dishes as clean as like washing them in hot water. Formulated detergents are available that will work well with cold water, so a simple switch can save you hundreds of dollars in savings from your yearly Texas electricity bills.

• Lastly, you can save money of your Texas electricity bills by simply exercising your power to select electricity providers that offer better electricity rates. So shop for Texas electricity providers now and choose one that offer good services, competitive electricity rates, and lots of perks and freebies just for making the switch.

About Shop Texas Electricity- Shop Texas Electricity helps consumers and businesses compare and shop for their electricity plans in Texas. Learn more about Shop Texas Electricity by visiting us at www.ShopTexasElectricity.com