We all want to save money on our home utility bills. Using less energy is one clear and essential way to do that. But what if there were another way for homeowners to reduce their energy bills?
For Texans, simply switching utility companies could put you on the path to lower electricity bills as well as energy savings.
At Amigo Energy, we want you to improve your home’s energy efficiency and enjoy low energy costs. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to save on your electric bill, bringing together money-saving tips that complement our excellent electricity prices.
How Much Can I Save on My Electricity Bill?
Some 85% of Texans can choose their electricity provider thanks to the state’s deregulated energy market.
Deregulation has brought many benefits to customers as multiple energy providers compete to keep prices low. For example, in 2019, the average residential electricity price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) across the United States was 13.01 cents nationally, with an average monthly bill of $115.49. The residential average price in Texas was comparatively lower at 11.76 cents per kWh, but the average monthly bill was much higher at $134.07.
The first trick to saving money on your electricity bill is to use the helpful tips in this energy saving guide. The second is to find the right supplier for you.
Amigo Energy has been offering outstanding service and prices in Texas since 2003, growing and adapting as a market leader. We’ve got a range of flexible plans that could easily save you money on energy consumption by joining us.
What makes us stand out from the crowd? Well, for one thing, we offer same-day, no-hassle switching — even on weekends. Plus, we offer manageable payments, no hidden fees, and excellent customer service.
How Can You Save On Your Heating and Cooling Costs?
Lone Star state residents need no introduction to their state’s sweltering summers and its occasional cold snaps in winter.
The hot and humid summer means many people switch on their HVAC system to stay cool. Air conditioner units have a high energy usage and are often used during peak hours when electricity is more expensive. Cooling costs can spiral — air conditioning accounts for about 12% of U.S. home energy expenditures.
Turn your thermostat back 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day from its standard setting, and you could save up to 10% a year on cooling. Set the thermostat to as high a temperature as is comfortable for you — the smaller the gap between outdoor and indoor temperatures, the lower your energy bill. Some people have manual thermostats, and others have programmable thermostats to make the process simpler.
In the winter, heating costs can rise during cold weather, too. Save energy by setting the thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re awake, then setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home. There are more heating and cooling tips later in this guide.
Amigo Energy’s Truly Fixed tariff brings a fantastic fixed rate and no extra charges. You can enjoy cool summers and snuggly winters at home, knowing what your energy bill will cost.
We have variations, too. Our Basics Plan offers a long-term, fixed-rate deal, while our Assurance Plan also gives stable rates over a long-lasting period.
How Can You Save Money on Washing Laundry and Dishes?
Many chores are inescapable, from dishwashing to laundry. These tasks will always require a certain amount of energy. Still, intelligent use of your dishwasher or washer can help keep dollars in your pocket.Many chores are inescapable, like dishwashing and laundry. These tasks will always require a certain amount of energy. Still, intelligent use of your dishwasher or washer can help keep dollars in your pocket.
Dishwashers need electricity to run but can save energy, money, and water compared to hand-washing dishes. Washing by hand uses up to 27 gallons of water compared to as little as 3 gallons washing the same full load in an Energy-Star rated dishwasher. Using a dishwasher can cost a mere $35 a year and save about 3,870 gallons of water over the lifetime of the appliance.
The average North American family washes 300 loads of laundry every year. Washing machines use a lot of power at an average of 400-1300 watts, with newer models of Energy Star models using about 500 watts. (You can calculate household appliance costs using this energy cost calculator.) The price of running dishwashers and laundry soon add up. But what if you didn’t have to pay to run them?
With Amigo Energy’s Nights Free tariff, you get free electricity. Yes, free electricity, for up to 70 hours a week. Plug-in mechanical timers could turn these appliances on during the free nights of electricity, saving you money as you sleep while the machines wash clothes and dishes.
What About Renewable Energy for the Green Consumer?
Greenhouse gas emissions contribute to global warming, and Amigo Energy understands many people want to access green energy. That’s to say, the electricity created by renewable sources such as wind or solar power.
All the previously mentioned plans can feature our JustGreen bonus — when you pay a little extra, we’ll buy renewable energy on your behalf. We also have a strictly Green Energy option. We purchase renewable energy on your behalf, and you get a great fixed rate.
The green consumer knows that their energy is part of a complete cycle of renewable electricity. You can relax knowing that perhaps your air conditioner is powered by a solar farm, or your electric water heater provides piping hot bathwater thanks to a rotating wind turbine.
With Amigo Energy, you can help to save the planet without having to give up your lifestyle.
What Are Some Reasons to Switch to Amigo Energy?
At Amigo Energy, there are no hidden fees. We send weekly e-bills to reduce everyone’s carbon footprint while keeping you on top of your energy use.
Our expert team is just a call, email, or social media message away. They will help you join our family and give you advice on the best plan for your specific needs.
- Call in for English or Spanish (888-331-8871).
- Send a Facebook message
- Set up an online account and chat
- Use our Apple or Android app
You can even earn money. Sign up, then invite your friends and family to join Amigo Energy, and you’ll both receive a bill credit worth $100 each.
You’ve seen how easy it is to switch to Amigo Energy and save money and energy with our plans. Read on to find out how to bring your energy use and electricity bills down even further.
Save on Electric Bills With Fantastic Energy Saving Tips
We’ve already touched on some fantastic ways to save money and energy. Here, we’ll look more in-depth at a range of ways to save electricity throughout your home.
How Can You Save Money With an Energy Audit?
If you don’t know the source of the problem, how can you fix it? A home audit is a fantastic starting point for any homeowner who wants to know how to save on an electric bill.
You can pay a company to carry out an energy audit, or you can do one yourself. Most people can carry out their own energy audits. Some of these services may be included for free by existing contractors (as part of your air conditioning installation package). A professional audit will cost money, so you need to factor that against any possible savings.
There are two main stages to an energy audit. The first is to work out how much energy you are using across all your appliances. The U.S. Department of Energy provides this step-by-step explanation of the process.
Alternatively, look at your last few electricity bills for a broader overview and see how many kWh you use each month. For reference, the average U.S. residential electricity use in 2019 was 877 kWh per month compared to 1,140 kWh in Texas.
Installing whole-house energy monitoring systems can help monitor energy use and identify which appliances use a lot of energy. This system will help reveal spots for potential energy savings.
Fixing issues such as air leaks and faulty faucets offer big paybacks for relatively small investments, while some require careful planning and finance. Other tips relate more to changing how you use energy.
Remember to budget in what electricity you use compared to the cost of a repair or replacement.
How Can Air Conditioning and Ceiling Fans Help With Energy Savings?
Your audit could start with your external air conditioning unit. Clear any debris, plants, or leaves that may be covering your outdoor AC and affecting its performance. Inside, make sure the ducts are clean, air filters are changed regularly, and qualified technicians give the unit a timely check.
Energy Star recommends checking the efficiency of any units that are more than 10 years old. A newer, more energy-efficient model may offer up to 20-40% savings on energy bills.
Ceiling fans work very well in conjunction with air conditioning and heating systems alike. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of U.S. home energy expenditure, making ceiling fans vital assets when thinking about staying cool in summer. You can set air conditioning to a slightly higher setting and ceiling fans counterclockwise, pushing a breeze around the room to make it feel fresher.
In winter, spin the ceiling fan clockwise, and it helps circulate warm air, meaning you can keep your thermostat setting a little lower when heating your home.
How Do Thermostats, Programmable Thermostats, and Insulation Help Lower Energy Bills?
As mentioned before, thermostats are an essential link between heating and cooling a home and energy saving.
However, the best thermostat in the world cannot help unless your home has sufficient insulation — leaky airflow is the enemy of energy saving. Fortunately, some of the least expensive and complicated fixes are at hand.
Externally, window and door frames with air leaks can be made airtight using weather stripping, caulk, and a caulk gun, saving up to 10-20% on energy costs. Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring comes through walls, floors, and ceilings. Filled gaps keep cold air out and warmer air inside during the winter. During the summer, those filled gaps keep warm air out, and cooled air inside. Bigger jobs like loft insulation and sealing chimney flues may need a professional.
You can preempt situations, too. Fit window coverings to block sunlight entering your home and warming it unnecessarily in summer, and open windows in the evening to let cooler air into your home. And remember, even the basics — shutting doors when using heating or air conditioning — are vital if you want to save on utility bills.
What Are Some Ways to Save on Lighting Expenses?
Light bulbs are another low-hanging fruit on your path to an energy-efficient lifestyle; the average U.S. household spends 5% of its energy bill on lighting.
The first rule is to always turn a light off when the last person leaves the room — or use motion sensors to switch lights on and off when you enter and leave a room. This habit could save you a considerable sum over time, especially if your home has older, less energy-efficient incandescent bulbs.
Some 90% of the energy used by incandescent bulbs to illuminate our homes is lost as heat. Replacing your home’s five most frequently used light bulbs with Energy Star models could save you up to $45 annually.
The most common, energy-efficient light bulbs are compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes, known as LED light bulbs. They cost more than incandescent bulbs but use less energy and last longer, ultimately saving you money.
How Can You Save Energy Doing the Laundry and Dishes?
We’ve seen how programming washing machines, clothes dryers, and dishwashers to run during off-peak times can reduce your bill. There are several other steps you can take, too.
Washing clothes in cold water can save you about $214 annually, and detergents work just as well in cold water. Run every load fully and spin the washing at maximum speed so that clothes take less time to dry. Also, air-dry clothes outside if you can, rather than using a dryer. If you do use a dryer, clean the lint trap regularly.
With dishwashers, make sure you run them on full loads. Scrape every plate before putting them into the dishwasher, rather than rinsing them, so you use less water. Don’t use the heat cycle to dry dishes; let them drip dry naturally. An Energy Star-rated dishwasher may save you money and time away from the sink!
What Is Phantom Mode and How Does It Waste Energy?
Phantom mode is another name for leaving appliances on standby, with the average U.S. household having 65 devices left like this. The little standby light and operations use energy without anyone noticing. Estimates have phantom energy use as up to 23% of a household’s electricity use. It can cost the average family up to $165 per year.
Make sure you turn every appliance off when not in use. Many households use power strips to accommodate multiple devices; turn the power strip off to cut power to all its associated devices.
Smart power strips can help you with this task, too. Smart power strips detect when devices are in standby mode because their power use drops and then cuts that specific outlet’s power. They usually come with always-on outlets for appliances that always need power, such as an alarm system.
What Are Some Energy-Saving Tips for Refrigerators and Freezers?
It’s all about the right temperature for refrigerators and freezers. A fridge works best at about 35–38 degrees Fahrenheit in an already cool place. (In other words, don’t put it in direct sunlight.) Your fridge needs space around it so air can circulate. It also needs good seals to keep the cool air in.
Another tip? Be sure to keep the door open for as short a time as possible. Gazing into a fridge means all that lovely cool air escapes, so the fridge has to work harder to keep everything cool inside, costing you money.
Apply the same rationale to your freezer. Keep it in a cool place with plenty of space for air to circulate, minimize the door open time, and keep it at around 0 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s good to keep it well-stocked, too — the frozen items inside the freezer help to insulate it and keep everything frozen while using less energy.
Can You Save Money With Lower Water Heater Temperatures?
If a lovely warm shower or bath is too hot, most folks add a little cold water to the mix. Rarely do we ask ourselves if the overall starting water temperature is too high.
It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Many water heaters warm water up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit when 120 degrees Fahrenheit will do. This slight difference in your water heating could significantly impact your energy bill in two ways.
Firstly, the warmer the water and the heater, the more energy is lost to its surrounding area. The heater keeps needing to reheat water to maintain the 140 degrees Fahrenheit heat. Switching to 120 degrees Fahrenheit can save $36-$61 annually.
Secondly, using hot water requires extra power to replenish the supply. Setting your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit can save up to $400 in bills because the heater doesn’t need to work as hard to reheat.
Are you still thinking about that rejuvenating bath or shower? Fixing any faucet leaks and taking shorter showers is a fantastic way to save energy. Another is to switch from bathing to showering.
Buy a low-flow showerhead, one with a 2.5-gallon-per-minute flow, or less. Energy Star estimates that by ditching a bath and taking a 10-minute, low flow shower instead, you save up to five gallons of water and up to $145 in energy bills.
How to Save on Electric Bills the Easy Way
This guide helps you learn how to save on electric bills. It covers easy-to-implement lifestyle changes as well home improvements both big and small. There’s also what may be the easiest of them all — switching electric companies.
Amigo Energy offers electricity plans at competitive prices that will help to reduce your energy bills. You can save money and help to fight climate change while maintaining and enjoying your lifestyle.
Call 888-331-8871. You can also send us a Facebook message, set up an online account and chat, or use our Apple or Android app. You have the power to choose and start saving now.
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