By SkySite Property staff
The soaring temperatures of summer have arrived, and the Alliance for Retail Markets—a leading advocacy group for retail electric competition in Texas—wants Americans to get the most out of their electricity usage this summer.
The average cost of electricity has gone up nearly 25 percent nationwide since 2000, according to the Energy Information Administration. The typical U.S. family spends more than $1,900 a year on energy bills, a large portion of which is wasted, the Environmental Protection Agency reported.
Five tips to optimize electricity usage include:
1. Set your thermostat properly. Thermostats should be at 78 degrees when at home, and 85 degrees when away or sleeping. Use a programmable thermostat to automatically set temperature ranges for different times of the day.
2. Use compact fluorescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs use about 75 percent less energy and last about 10 times longer than standard bulbs. Additionally, CFLs cost about $30 less per bulb over the lifetime of the bulb. That's $300 in savings for 10 bulbs.
3. Turn off home electronics when not in use. Appliances and home electronics are responsible for approximately 20 percent of an average household's electric bill. Home electronics that operate in standby mode—most TVs, DVD players and computers—consume about 75 percent of their electricity when in standby mode.
4. Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. About 20 percent of energy used in the typical home is to run electronics and appliances, and up to 90 percent of the cost of washing clothes comes from heating the water.
5. Shop around for electricity. Take advantage of the choices and options available in competitive electricity markets. The best way for consumers to protect themselves is to take advantage of the competitive market in those areas of the state in which consumers can choose a retail electric provider.
Purchasing Energy Star appliances, installing proper insulation and maintaining air-conditioning systems regularly also can help keep electricity bills down.
The soaring temperatures of summer have arrived, and the Alliance for Retail Markets—a leading advocacy group for retail electric competition in Texas—wants Americans to get the most out of their electricity usage this summer.
The average cost of electricity has gone up nearly 25 percent nationwide since 2000, according to the Energy Information Administration. The typical U.S. family spends more than $1,900 a year on energy bills, a large portion of which is wasted, the Environmental Protection Agency reported.
Five tips to optimize electricity usage include:
1. Set your thermostat properly. Thermostats should be at 78 degrees when at home, and 85 degrees when away or sleeping. Use a programmable thermostat to automatically set temperature ranges for different times of the day.
2. Use compact fluorescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs use about 75 percent less energy and last about 10 times longer than standard bulbs. Additionally, CFLs cost about $30 less per bulb over the lifetime of the bulb. That's $300 in savings for 10 bulbs.
3. Turn off home electronics when not in use. Appliances and home electronics are responsible for approximately 20 percent of an average household's electric bill. Home electronics that operate in standby mode—most TVs, DVD players and computers—consume about 75 percent of their electricity when in standby mode.
4. Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. About 20 percent of energy used in the typical home is to run electronics and appliances, and up to 90 percent of the cost of washing clothes comes from heating the water.
5. Shop around for electricity. Take advantage of the choices and options available in competitive electricity markets. The best way for consumers to protect themselves is to take advantage of the competitive market in those areas of the state in which consumers can choose a retail electric provider.
Purchasing Energy Star appliances, installing proper insulation and maintaining air-conditioning systems regularly also can help keep electricity bills down.
