Your air-conditioning unit works hard, especially during the summer heat. You want that equipment to last as long as possible. Keeping your AC unit in good working order and using it wisely will help the equipment run smoothly. Here’s how to make your A/C unit last longer (and avoid costly repairs and replacements). 1. Regular A/C unit checks & tune-ups At least once a year, you need to have a professional HVAC technician inspect and tune your A/C unit. You can do it in the fall after the summer is over or in the spring before you fire it up. Most homeowners choose to have this work done ..read more

Post written by Arthur M. Since utility pricing varies across the U.S., we’ve aggregated the lowest electricity rates by state in Q4 2018. These rates can help you prepare for your next move or get a gauge on typical prices if you live in an area with deregulated electricity. Lowest electricity rate, Q4 2018 Louisiana consumers paid the lowest residential electricity rates in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2018, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Customers paid 9.07 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) used during the period. How does that rate compare? It is 2.5 percent ..read more

Our country is currently in the middle of upgrading our aging power grid into what is known as the smart grid. This move promises to decrease expenses, reduce pollution and save energy. While it won’t happen overnight, it’s absolutely crucial for our future. What is the electricity grid? The term electric grid refers to the network needed to deliver power to consumers, including electricity generation, transmission, distribution and control. From the coal plant that generates the power you use to the meter on the side of your house, each part of the electricity supply chain comes together to f ..read more

Homeowners across the nation are noticing a steady climb in their monthly energy bills. With the heat of the sun beating down on your roof, it comes naturally to want to make and energy efficient home, and that can start with your roof. But what kind of home upgrades can you make to your roof to lower the amount of energy it consumes? What changes can you make as a homeowner to lower your carbon footprint while keeping your home temperature comfortable? Take a look at the following eco-friendly roof upgrades you can make to create an energy efficient home: 1. Install a cool roof If your home’s ..read more

Are vampires lurking in your home? No, not the bloodsucking kind, but the energy-sucking kind. Energy vampires are appliances that are always on or plugged in using electricity even when they’re not operational. Over time, these energy vampires could start to suck your electricity bill dry. Here’s how to spot them and stop the drain! Are there energy vampires in your home? Energy vampires slowly drain electricity from every outlet in your home, adding dollar after dollar to your utility bill even as we speak. Many of these energy suckers take a deceptively harmless form: your electronic device ..read more

Between A/C in the summer months, heating in the winter months and other potential electrical drains throughout the year, there’s always a chance your electric bill is higher than normal. So, if you’ve ripped opened this month’s bill and are in shock by how much your electricity provider says you owe, let us help you figure out how to save on electricity so you can fix it before next month’s bill comes flying in. What causes high electricity bills? Some high electric bill causes include: Air conditioning Necessary home maintenance Large appliances Energy vampires Leaving lights and appliances ..read more

Saving energy is likely a priority for your household, and there are plenty of strategies that you and your family can follow to minimize monthly consumption of electricity. Make sure not to forget to consider electrical safety when making your home more efficient, as maintenance lapses in this regard are responsible for more than 51,000 home fires and hundreds of electrocutions each year, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation. Fortunately, there is plenty of overlap between electrical safety solutions and efficiency fixes. It’s easier to identify those opportunities by envisioning saf ..read more

Despite solar panels becoming more common in the U.S. every year, many people still haven’t had much firsthand experience with them, particularly those who live in more suburban areas that prefer regular municipal power over things like giant wind turbines spreading across farmland. Because of this, those without much experience might wonder about the benefits of solar energy, seeing as it’s not popular enough to be “mainstream” just yet. For more insight on how solar panels work, how they might lower your electric bill and solar panel efficiency, check out our answers to the most common quest ..read more

For those in low-income households in need of assistance with energy bills, plenty of state and federally-funded programs are available nationwide to help. These energy assistance programs can make sure your utilities are always available when you need them most. Some programs offer: Credits on your bills to lower or eliminate costs Inspections and improvements to your residence to make it more energy efficient and save on utilities costs Counseling for property budget management Reactivation of your energy services If you live in California, Illinois, Ohio, Washington, D.C. or Michigan, check ..read more