Six Reasons Your Home Might Be Guzzling Electricity

Our electricians proudly offer a comprehensive range of electrical services, including energy audits, electrical safety inspections, repairs, and many more. In today’s blog post, we’ll outline 6 reasons why your home might be using more electricity than it should and what you can do about it.

• Outdated Appliances

Older appliances weren’t built with energy efficiency in mind. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and HVAC systems that are more than 10–15 years old can draw far more electricity than newer ENERGY STAR models. If your appliances are constantly running or making strange noises, it may be time for an upgrade.

• Phantom Loads

Also known as standby power, phantom loads are caused by electronics that draw electricity even when they’re turned off. If you look around your house, you’ll notice devices like TVs, game consoles, chargers, microwaves, and coffee makers still plugged in with tiny lights or digital displays glowing. These small energy draws add up over time and can increase your electricity bill. The simple solution? Unplug devices when they’re not in use, or better yet, plug them into power strips that you can switch off.

• Poor Insulation or Drafty Windows

If your home isn’t properly insulated, your heating and cooling system has to work overtime to maintain a comfortable temperature. This leads to increased electricity usage. It’s best to seal air leaks and upgrade your insulation to improve energy efficiency.

• Inefficient Lighting

Still using incandescent or halogen bulbs? These types of bulbs consume more electricity and have a shorter lifespan than LED alternatives. It’s a good idea to switch to energy-efficient LED lighting throughout your home to cut energy use. Here at Mr. Electric, we can help you with lighting replacement in your home, office, and other properties.