Tag: patrick's

Avoid the "Pinch" of Rising Electrical Bills This St. Patrick's Day

Three Simple Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Planning a St. Patrick’s Day celebration is relatively easy. All anybody must do is deck themselves in green. And while going green on St. Patty’s Day may be one of the easiest things to do this month, the same should be true about greening up the home's electrical use and making it more eco-friendly. 

If caring for the environment while saving on electricity costs is the name of the game, then there’s no need to look further than the following paragraphs. This blog will share three easy ways to go green and make the home more energy efficient on St. Patrick’s Day.

Maximize the Use of a Ceiling Fan

fanHomes that have ceiling fans installed have a leg up on savings. If used correctly, these fans can help HVAC systems run more efficiently by helping to circulate air in the room. It is easy to see how this works in the summertime. If the ceiling fan is set to turn counterclockwise, then it will create a downdraft, which is responsible for pushing cool air down and helping to augment the air conditioning system. 

In the winter, homeowners can achieve a similar but opposite effect. Reversing the direction of the fan’s spin will create an updraft, which should suck the cool air up and push down warmer air, a simple yet effective way of reducing the burden of heating a room on a home’s heating system.

If Not in Use, Turn it Off

lightAnyone who has ever been hounded by their parents to turn the lights off after leaving a room may not want to hear this, but that is still considered sound advice when it comes to energy savings and bill reduction. Making this minor but conscious adjustment in daily life can have a compounding effect on the environment and a homeowner’s wallet.

Turning off lights and unplugging appliances that are not being used or opting to use natural light is cost-effective in more ways than one. This simple act can save money by reducing electric bills. It can also show up as savings in replacing light bulbs, which usually last longer and therefore do not need to be replaced as often if used prudently.

Make the Switch to LED Lights

Most light fixtures now run on LED lights for a good reason. LEDs are the most efficient lightbulbs available in the market today. LEDs are a whopping 75% more efficient than traditional incandescent light bulbs, while CFLs fare a bit better at 25% efficiency. 

These percentages are eye-popping and may seem too good to be true, but with a lifespan of 25,000 hours, LED lights offer significant savings for homeowners without sacrificing quality. With incandescent bulbs only making it to 1,000 hours and CFLs up to 10,000, LED is the clear winner for its ability to produce more light on less power, making them the best choice for lighting up the modern home.

About Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air has over 30 years of experience serving Port St. Lucie, FL residents, and the surrounding areas. They provide upfront pricing, 24/7 emergency service, and on-time arrivals. Call them today for indoor lighting or ceiling fan installation and repair in Port St. Lucie, FL.

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Keep Your Home Green This St. Patrick's Day To Avoid Getting Pinched!

3 Ways To Help Your Home Be More “Green”

No one likes getting pinched for not showing holiday spirit on St. Patrick’s Day. Luckily, the remedy is an easy one - just put on something green! But another great way to join the festive mood - and avoid the painful pinch - is to “go green” in another sense by implementing eco-friendly, energy-saving practices at home. After all, what could be greener than helping the environment? 

Read on to discover three simple ways to save energy (and money), even after St. Paddy’s Day has come and gone.

Utilize More Natural Light

woman at the window

Most homeowners have already made the switch from incandescent bulbs to more efficient LED or compact fluorescent bulbs. But even these can eat up a significant amount of energy when left on. Turning off the lights and using the natural light of the sun is a great way to cut down on needless energy usage.

Merely opening the shades and pulling the curtains back throughout the house can virtually eliminate the need for artificial lighting in the daytime. This works better in homes with plenty of windows, white walls, and wide-open spaces, but even naturally gloomy homes can be made brighter with a few tricks. Strategically placing a few mirrors in darker rooms and hallways and leaving room doors open can make a surprising difference.

Upgrade To Energy-Efficient Appliances

One of the most effective ways to make a home more green is to install more efficient appliances. High-efficiency dishwashers and washing machines can save the average household 6,000+ gallons of water per year and use as much as 25% less energy than standard models.

Upgrading to an energy-efficient refrigerator/freezer can potentially save another 10% of total energy consumption. High-efficiency HVAC heat pumps, water heaters, ceiling fans, and clothes dryers can also cut down on utility costs and consumption to varying degrees. The most efficient appliances bear the Energy Star label created by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, which certifies that the unit meets or exceeds federal energy regulations for eco-friendly equipment.

Unplug Devices That Aren’t Being Used

unplug

While green technology is improving rapidly for most large appliances, some devices still consume plenty of power - even when they’re not in use. “Standby power” or “Vampire energy” is electricity that is drawn from wall outlets by inactive electronic devices. 

Phone chargers, coffee machines, printers, surge protectors, and other small gadgets use relatively little standby power. The most prominent vampires are televisions, cable/satellite boxes, game consoles, sound systems, computers (desktop or laptop), and power tool charging docks.

The power lost may seem negligible at a glance, but the waste can add up pretty fast between the multitude of devices. Unplugging even the least-commonly used items or leaving things unplugged overnight can have a noticeable impact on the monthly utility bills and help reduce the home’s overall effect on the environment.

About Elite Electric & Air

The trusted experts at Elite Electric & Air have been serving Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast community since 1988. They are ready to go above and beyond for their customers 24/7, 365 days a year. They provide upfront pricing, membership plans, and a lifetime guarantee on every service. CAll Elite Electric & Air today for expert electrical services in Port St. Lucie.

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