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With temperatures dropping to below freezing in the coming weeks, it’s tempting to crank up the thermostat or turn on the gas fireplace for hours. You may even splurge on a space heater for each room, or use another silly technique that’ll cost you money that you could be spending for Christmas shopping. To help you pocket some of your paycheck this winter, here are a few of Warner Service’s handiest tips for saving on your electric bill:

  1. Pay attention to your refrigerator. Many homeowners don’t think about adjusting their refrigerator habits to help their electric bill, but it’s the best kept secret out there. You should always keep your refrigerator between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but did you know you should wait for hot foods to cool before storing them away as fridge leftovers? You should also never put uncovered liquids in the fridge. The heat from the hot food and uncovered liquids give off vapors that add to the compressor workload, making your fridge work harder – not smarter.
  2. Use the microwave. For all of those Thanksgiving (and soon-to-be Christmas) leftovers, skip out on the conventional oven and use the microwave. The appliance uses less than half the energy and takes half the time.
  3. Fully load your dishwasher before running it. You wouldn’t wash only half your body in the shower, so why would you wash only one rack of dishes in your dishwasher? By filling up your dishwasher completely, you’ll use less energy per year than doing more loads with fewer dishes. And before you place your dishes in the dishwasher, scrape off hard foods into the trash can, and put softer foods and liquids down the disposal. It will leave less work for your dishwasher. Less work equals less energy, which leads to more money saved.
  4. Clean your lights. Most people know that when you leave a room, you should turn off the light to save energy and money. (You can do the same with unused electronics by unplugging them completely.) However, a lot of people don’t know that cleaning your light fixtures can help save energy. By getting rid of dust and debris, your lightbulbs will shine brighter and last longer. To further your energy-saving habit, switch to compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs.
  5. Buy a humidifier. Don’t put one in every room, but investing in a humidifier to combat the winter’s dry air can help lower your energy bill because you don’t have to turn up the thermostat. Place a humidifier in the room with the most windows to get the best results.
  6. Schedule a maintenance check-up. By having a licensed professional check out your appliances, you can save money in the long run on premature repairs and replacements. These experts will inspect every nook and cranny of your heating and cooling system, so you get the best advice and check-up possible.
  7. Insulate, insulate, insulate. We said it three times because there are three main places you should insulate: the attic, the exterior walls and the pipes. By doing this, you can save up to 30 percent on your electric bill per month. It can be a do-it-yourself project with the right tools and instructions, but you should contact a professional to get the job done without worry.

You could wear your warmest pair of fuzzy socks and a fleece blanket to combat a high electric bill, but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort for savings. To stay warm this winter and help lower your electric bill, follow our simple tips above. If you have any questions, concerns or would like to make an appointment, contact Warner Service today.

 

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