5 Smart Tips to Help You Cut Electricity Costs in Winter

Do you dread that time of the year when your electricity bills shoot through the roof? Yes, it's
winter; the season of piping hot coffee, fireplace warmth, room heaters and Christmas lights. And
to keep that tall order going you need energy too, after all you can't be just sitting at home
with your jaws freezing up.

So, what's the best way to cut those staggering electricity bills? Are there efficient ways to
reduce energy loss while making your homes, offices and other public utility areas safely warm?
You'd be surprised at how many simple ways there are in which you could efficiently save energy in
winter and cut down on your electricity bills. Let's see how!

1.    The Sun Is Your Savior

Have you ever wondered how the warmth and energy from the sun can help you in winter? This
powerful disk of golden rays is itself a ball of energy and can magnanimously reduce the chill
inside your rooms. You can keep the curtains and windows open and let the sun's rays naturally
heat your homes. You can also install solar panels if you can afford them.

2.    Cover Adequately And Save

Another very simple mechanism to conserve energy is to cover all those areas which invite the
chill from outside. For instance, there could be cracks in your doors and windows which need to be
sealed. Also, look out for any leaks or gaps in pipes, ceilings, cupboards, closets and chimneys
that could be letting cold drafts into the interiors. 

3.    Control Temperatures 

The thermostat might be a very handy utility tool, but you need to make careful use of this gadget
in winter. Firstly get yourself a programmable thermostat that can be adjusted, it will
effectively reduce energy consumption by 30%. Secondly, when you're at home, reduce its
temperature to a comfortable minimum. However, when you are away, increase the temperature to 10
or 15 degrees and see your electricity costs reducing remarkably. 
Water heaters when left at high temperatures for a considerable period of time consume a lot of
energy, often causing extensive damage as well. Try to maintain the setting in the heater to an
average 120 degrees Fahrenheit and see your heating costs reduce too.

4.    Heating Systems Require Maintenance

For any gadget to function optimally it is crucial to take care of it. The same holds true for
heaters, geysers and the other heating systems. Get them serviced timely to ensure that they
function well. For example, you should replace the furnace filter as required and clean the inside
of the heater thoroughly. Seek professional help to better understand the requirements for
maintenance. 

5.    Get Judicious With Electricity

The simplest thing to do is to switch off lights and other electronic devices when they are not in
use. Start investing in energy saving gadgets like LED (light emitting diode) lights for Christmas
decorations. Similarly, instead of using warm water to wash clothes and utensils, select the
setting of these appliances to cold water. Also remember to shut the fireplace with an air-tight
door to stop air leaks. 

Energy saving during the winter is merely about judicious use of electronic devices and heating
systems. Learning its essentials will help you adequately save on those alarming electricity
bills.


----------------------------------------------------
For the past 15 years Blackstock Electric has been serving the North Metro Atlanta area. Call
1-770-365-5168 and fix an appointment or ask for a quote on an installation.
http://www.blackstockelectric.com
Posted by Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com/

Rooms In Your Home That Would Look Great With Refacing Or New Cabinets

Do the cabinets in your home need to have refacing done or do you want to have all new ones
installed in your home, but you are not sure what rooms this can be done in? This is a problem
that many people have and the answer is very simple.

Any room in your home that has a cabinet can be have new ones put in or they can have refacing
done. Here are a few of the more common rooms where people have something done to bring the
cabinet back to life. 

1. Kitchen - This is the most common room in the home to have refacing done or to have complete
new ones built. Before you decide what you want done in this room you need to know what your
budget is. 

You also need to consider all of the design options that are available for you. Take time to get
online and check out your options so that when it comes time to get this job done you will know
exactly what you want and how you want your kitchen to look. 

It is also smart to consider how long you can be without a kitchen. Getting complete new ones in
will take a few days to a few weeks, depending on the company you hire to do the job. Refacing
them will be a much shorter time frame because there is not as much work required to complete the
job.

2. Bathroom - Every bathroom has cabinets in them and sometimes they look great as is, but many
times you want to replace or reface them so that you get the exact look you want for each bathroom
in your home. 

Again, what is done in the bathroom is completely up to you, but really consider everything before
making your decision on how to redo them. Also, take time to consider the decor of the bathroom so
that you can choose the design that fits it best. 

3. Laundry room - This is not a room that many people think about having a cabinet replaced or
refacing done, but if the laundry room has them in there already then it can be done. Many times
there are none in the laundry room, but you would like there to be. 

If that is the case then it is very easy to get complete new ones installed in this room as long
as you have the extra space needed for them. 

There are also a few other places that you can have them redone. 

- Wall units

- Built in closets

- Tables

- Islands

- Entertainment centers

- Bench seating

The options are unlimited in any home. As long as there are cabinets in any room in your home you
can have refacing done or you can opt for brand new ones to be built for you. The key thing to
remember is that what is done to any cabinet in your home is completely up to you and your budget.
----------------------------------------------------
If you enjoyed this article by Les Wilson please visit our Seattle cabinets website today. You
will find helpful information and a free consultation on kitchen remodel Seattle for your home.
http://www.cabinetpaksea.com

Posted by Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com/