Whilst switching electricity providers can sometimes allow you access to better rates, it can sometimes pay to take full control of your electricity supply by making some much needed upgrades to your home. Here are five ways that you can improve your home’s electricity supply.
Upgrade your appliances
Old electric appliances are likely to be power-guzzlers – upgrading these appliances could have a positive impact on your electricity bill. The Energy Star rating is worth looking out for as this is only awarded to appliances that meet an excellent level of energy efficiency. These appliances are generally not that much more expensive than regular appliances. You should also look out for appliances that have economy settings such as washing machines and dishwashers.
Switch your bulbs
Regular incandescent bulbs use up a lot of power to stay bright. Nowadays, LED bulbs provide just as much illumination, whilst using up much less electricity to keep them bright. They are more expensive to buy than regular bulbs, but the investment is worthwhile.
Use smart technology
Smart technology can allow you to control your home’s electricity supply remotely from an app on your phone. This could allow you to turn on and off electric heating and air conditioning from your bed without having to get up in the night or on your way back from work. Many smart meters also have the advantage of letting you see exactly how much electricity you’re using and the cost of this as you’re using it. By seeing what you’re using, you could be urged to use less electricity. Smart meters are more accurate than regular meters and share the data with your supplier so that you’re both getting the same figures.
Generate your own electricity
You could even decide to take your electricity off-grid by using your own means of generating electricity. Solar panels are the most popular means of doing this, converting energy from the sun and turning it into electricity. With enough solar panels, you may never have to pay an electricity bill again. There are many solar installation companies that provide this service. Another option could be to use wind power – whilst this is not as efficient as solar energy, it could help to supplement your power supply.
Get your home rewired
Rewiring your home is a very costly job but could have a number of advantages. Old or faulty wiring can sometimes malfunction and result in electricity leaks, which could be adding to your electricity bill. Getting these sorted out could save you money in the long run. Rewiring your home could also be necessary if your wiring is so old that it’s potentially dangerous. Very old wiring can cause fires and electric shocks. On top of this, there could be practical benefits to rewiring your home. You could relocate sockets and light fittings, upgrade your electricity panel and reposition wires to make room for other home improvements such as removing walls or adding pipes.
