How to Save on Electricity Bills in Alberta, CA?

Electricity bills tend to skyrocket during frigid winters in Alberta, CA.

The use of heaters contributes to high energy bills and lighter wallets for most Canadians.

If you are concerned about the rising energy bills, you are in the right place. Here we will share 10 tips that can help you to cut your energy bills this winter.

How to Save Energy at Home

1. Routine Maintenance of Heater

A lot of people don’t know that routine maintenance of the heater can lead to reduced energy bills.

Just like any other mechanical device, our heaters experience wear and tear with use. You need to regularly get your heater maintained by a professional technician to ensure optimum operations.

A heater that is properly maintained will draw less energy. It will heat up the room quickly that will lead to lower energy bills. Moreover, it will reduce the chances of emergency breakdowns.

Regular maintenance of the heater will not only keep you warm throughout the winter it will cut electricity bills as well.

2. Buy Energy Efficient Appliances

When buying a new appliance, you should look for the Energy Star logo. Appliances compliant with the rating agency use between 10 percent and 50 percent less electricity as compared to non-compliant appliances.

Using cooling appliances that have a high energy star rating will contribute to significant energy savings. They may cost more but the higher costs will be made up through savings in electricity bills.

In addition, you should consider replacing your top loader washing machine with a front-loading machine. The latest front-loading washing machines use significantly less water and energy.

Dryers are also notorious when it comes to energy consumptions. Instead of using a dryer, you should consider drying your clothes outside on a clothesline in your backyard. If you don’t have a backyard, you can also dry your clothes on an indoor drying rack.

3. Prevent Heat Loss Through Windows

A lot of heat is lost through windows. Installing double glazed windows can reduce heat loss by up to 50 percent. This will help in keeping your house warmer during winters thereby reducing energy costs.

In addition, you can reduce heating costs by opening blinds and curtains during the day to let in natural light. But don’t forget to close them during the night to keep the rooms warm and cut down on electricity bills.

4. Install Energy Efficient Lights

You should replace all your incandescent and CFL light bulbs with LED light bulbs. While LED light bulbs are slightly costly, they are more energy efficient. The savings from switching to the energy efficient lights can amount to hundreds of dollars per year.

Another great thing about LED lights is that they have a lifespan of about 50,000 hours. In contrast, the lifespan of incandescent and CFL bulbs is only 1000 hours. So, you will be able to recover the higher upfront costs within a few months.

5. Avoid ‘Vampire Power’

Appliances that are put on standby continue to draw electricity. This results in higher energy bills. To reduce your energy bills, you should turn off all your appliances when not in use.

Pull out the plug of chargers, receivers, television, scanners, microwaves, and printers when you are not using them. You should also consider buying a powerstrip to turn off all appliances with a single flip of a button. This will prevent phantom energy loss that increases the energy bills.

6. Choose a Cheap Power Plan

A lot of homeowners don’t know that they can cut energy bills by selecting a cheap electricity plan.

Compare Alberta electricity providers that provide electricity at a low rate. A plan with rates that are even a few cents lower can result in significant savings on electricity bills.

But you should select a reliable electricity provider. Read consumer reviews before selecting a utility provider. Only consider Alberta electricity providers such as Direct Energy that has a high customer rating. Stay away from utility providers with mostly negative reviews.

7. Use Gas Heaters

Gas heaters are a lot cheaper to operate as compared to electric heaters. They also tend to heat up a room better.

The cost of gas is lower as compared to electricity. So, you can reduce your energy bills significantly by switching to a gas heater.

8. Keep Your Refrigerator Ventilated

Refrigerators that are placed in poorly ventilated rooms tend to draw excess energy. Make sure that there is some space at the back, sides, and top of the fridge.

Avoid placing the refrigerator in closed areas. Also, you should keep it free of dust to ensure proper operations.

Crowding the fridge with a lot of food will also make the fridge draw more power. Putting too many food items will prevent proper circulation of cool air. The result will be higher energy bills.

9. Install a Solar Heat Pump

Heat pumps tend to consume a lot of energy. By buying a solar heat pump, you will be able to significantly lower energy usage.

Solar heat pumps use the free energy of the sunlight. Using a solar heat pump can reduce your water heating energy bills by up to 80 percent. In addition, you can feel good knowing that you have played your part in reducing the carbon emissions. The fact that it will lead to increased home value is an added advantage of buying a solar heat pump.

10. Ensure Proper Insulation

Make sure that your house is properly insulated.

An energy audit is often useful in determining what areas to insulate. The results of an audit can help you make the right decisions in insulating your home. You should consider insulating the attic, walls, ceilings, floor, and basement.

Older homes are less insulated as compared to newer homes. You should insulate your home if you live in a home built more than 10 years ago. Even new homes are not insulated to the optimal recommended levels. Proper insulation can improve comfort and also reduce energy bills.