Allstar Electrical Services knows a thing or two about electricity – and we know how easy it is to save money without any major lifestyle changes

DENVER, CO – Everyone wants to save money, of course, and one of the easiest ways is to trim your monthly electricity bill with very simple steps that won’t disrupt your lifestyle. A little extra care with and awareness about electric use in your home can add up to significant savings, especially important in an era of rising rates.

At Allstar Electrical Services has been serving the Denver metro area for over 10 years with top-notch, licensed electricians performing the full range of electrical repair, maintenance and installation needs. As such, we see electric waste every day and have become experts in recommending ways to cut electric bills. Here’s a few simple steps that most every homeowner can take to cut electricity usage and save money:

• The new Saver’s Switch now being offered by Xcel Energy in many Colorado localities is a good place to start – and it saves money in two ways. The Saver’s Switch is free from the utility company, and is install on or near you home’s air conditioning unit. It will periodically shut the A/C’ cooling unit down for short periods of time during peak demand, leaving the air flow fans in operation, and should only alter the temperature in the home a few degrees. Not only will you save on energy, but Xcel is offering enrollees a $40 utility bill credit for electing the service
• It sounds so simple, but really turning off lights in rooms not in use will save a lot. We know this is difficult for any households with children, but it’s a big deal.
• Replace your incandescent bulbs with energy-saving CFL light bulbs. Pretty soon the only light bulbs on the market will be the energy-saving variety, so get a jump on the regulations and save money. A 26-watt CFL light bulb puts out the equivalent light as a 100-watt incandescent.
• Dimmer switches lower the electricity draw for lights as they dial down, and can save. Also, task lighting is more efficient than whole-room lighting, and motion sensors on outdoor lights mean they work only when needed. 
• Unplug all the power cords for cell phones, iPods, laptops, etc. when not in use for charging the device. Even when the phone is not plugged in, the power cord draws energy.
• Adjust your thermostat. Air conditioners and furnaces use a lot of energy, and the truth is that most people set their homes for too cool in the summer and too warm in the winter. Even a couple of degree either way will save a lot and you’ll hardly notice. Wear a sweater when it’s cold, and try ceiling fan in summer to mitigate the heat. Also, switching over to a programmable thermostat will also save money: it will automatically adjust temperatures in an unoccupied house, then kick in and make it comfortable when people get home from school or work. Some of the newer ones can be programmed from afar using the Internet or s smart phone.
• Have your furnace and A/C inspected annually. Inspections make sure everything is working properly, which saves energy, and simply cleaning the filters in these devices every couple of months will help them work with less power.
• Turn down the temperature on the hot water heater. All you need is 120 degrees F, and most people have it much higher. If you can’t stand to put your hands in the hot water alone, it’s probably set to high. Water heaters are enormous users of energy (most are natural gas, of course, but hey, you can save there too).
• Limit major appliance usage to later on in summer. Clothes washers, dryers, dishwashers and ovens put out a great deal of heat, placing an extra burden on an A/C unit. Try to use them after the sun goes down or in the early part of the day before the heat builds up. Also, in the washing machines, dishwasher and dryer, only use them for full loads.
• Maintain your refrigerator. The Frig uses as much energy as anything in the home, so it needs to be operating at its peak efficiency. Limit the time the door is open. Make sure the temperature settings are what you need. Vacuum the coils in the back regularly to remove dust. To reduce the amount of power the refrigerator’s motor uses, consider plugging it into an electronic induction motor control such as the Power Planner, available in home improvement
• Buy EnergyStar appliances. The EnergyStar label is now quite familiar to most consumers, and the energy use gets better all the time. Refrigerators, A/C units, heaters, washers, dryers, hot water heaters, freezers, dehumidifiers – if you use these devices there’s probably something on the market that will use less energy than the one you have now, even if it’s only a few years old.
• Perform an energy audit on your home. Many utility companies offers this service at a very reasonable fee, and it can sometimes lead to utility bill rebates. If you home is sealed up tight it will take less energy to heat and cool.
• Turn off the computer when not in use. It’s amazing how much energy an idle computer, printer and the screens will suck up

All of us almost take electricity for granted what with its ubiquitous and safe use in so many aspects of our lives. What most people don’t realize is how much energy we waste each day that can be avoided with a few simple steps and some planning.

And when you need electrical repairs, upgrades, new plugs, lighting solutions or anything electrical, give the professional at Allstar Electrical Services a call https://www.allstarelectrical.com/