10 Easy Ways to Save Energy During the Holidays

The holiday season usually means more time spent at home, celebrating with loved ones. Unfortunately, it can also mean a more expensive electric bill. Not to worry! We’ve rounded up some helpful ways to save energy during the holidays. Especially during such unprecedented times, any extra savings is much appreciated. 

Read on, kick back, relax, and save energy—and money—this holiday season.

#1. Turn off unused lights. Our top energy-saving tips includes this one relating to unused lights. If you’re leaving a room, simply switch the light off. This is a quick, easy way to start racking up savings on your light bill

#2. Switch off appliances and devices when you’re not using them. Our list of energy-saving holiday tips would not be complete without letting you in on this tip.

• Similar to when you’re leaving a room, turn off and unplug appliances and devices when they’re not in use—like your TV, laptop, lamps, and more. 
• Doing so may seem silly initially, but once you start to see a lower amount on your monthly, bill, it will be well worth it.

#3. Consider using prepaid electricity. A major way to keep extra funds in your bank account is by using less energy. 

• How can you keep track of your electricity consumption? Prepaid electricity refers to paying ahead of time for your power usage, before you actually use it.
• By utilizing a digital device known as a Smart Meter, you can track your household’s consumption in real time, so you can easily see what areas and times you’re using it the most.
• Cutting down or scaling back on using energy with certain appliances at certain times allows you to adjust your usage and trim you electric expenses.
• Now Power Texas provides prepaid electricity plans for residents of Texas who live in deregulated areas, which means they have the ability to choose their providers.

#4. Don’t cook or bake at peak times.

• Running your oven during the warmest parts of the day heats your house up twice as fast, making your HVAC system work overtime. Depending on where you live, this cost can quickly add up.
• If you’re cooking dinner and baking holiday treats simultaneously during peak heat hours, your HVAC units will be doing double-duty. 

#5. Avoid running major appliances at the same time. 

• Try to avoid running washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and more all at once.
• Making your appliances and machines all work at once could also overload your circuits.

#6. Keep your thermostat in check.

• With more people in the house, or even the same number of people in the house at once, but for longer periods of time, it can be tempting to jack up the heat for everyone’s comfort during cold, winter weather.
• However, doing so will make your heat bill go up exponentially. Try to keep the thermostat set at a slightly lower temperature, but use space heaters, fireplaces, and lots of extra blankets to keep cozy.

#7. Check your insulation levels. 

• In addition to monitoring your thermostat more closely in cold weather, you should also make sure your windows and doors are insulated properly.
• It’s also smart to have your attic insulation checked by a professional. 

#8. Use energy-saving products.

• When possible, using appliances labeled EnergyStar means that they’re designed to use less energy. 
• LED light bulbs are a cheap, easy way to stay powered up and cost-conscious.

#9. Ease up on your appliance usage.

• Try running major energy-drainers, like clothes washers and dryers, a little less.
• Only run clothes dryers and dishwashers on full loads.
• Operating them less frequently means less power usage.

#10. In addition to only running full loads, it is important to make sure you don’t overload them. 

• Running them while overloaded means they’ll be working twice as hard, thus using double the energy.
• You also risk damaging the unit this way. 

Ready to start saving on your power bills with prepaid electricity? Check out Now Power Texas. Call or visit https://nowpowertexas.com/ to get started.