Are you ready for the summer heat?
On top of our low competitive energy rates, Realgy Energy Services also provides our customers with even more ways to save money and energy. Here are some helpful tips towards lowering your utility bills this summer.
Take advantage of the sun and turn off the lights to enjoy the “day lighting”. If you must use the lights this summer, replace those used most often with CFL or LED bulbs. Incandescent lights give off more heat than the newer energy efficient models. If you replace one traditional 100W incandescent bulb with an Energy Star CFL light bulb you could save up to $6 a year in energy costs In just two years, these bulbs will pay for themselves.
Heating and cooling accounts for up to 40% of energy consumption in commercial buildings and almost 56% in residential buildings. Make sure your AC is equipped to run efficiently. If you have not already, schedule an AC tune up with a certified HVAC contractor. The contractor can point out and repair minor issues before they become huge problems and ensure it is running at its most efficient. You should plan to have your AC tuned up every two years, or every year if it is used frequently.
Air conditioners will run at their optimal performance level when set at 78 degrees. Making it even 5 degrees lower will result in your AC using up to 40% more energy. Keep that thermostat at 78 degrees during the day and turn it down at night, to conserve the most energy.
78 degrees is the magic number with ACs
Ceiling fans create a wind chill effect that will allow you to raise the thermostat about 4 degrees without any reduction in comfort. Just remember to turn off the fans if nobody is in the room.
Avoid using electronics or anything that generate lots of heat such as computers, ovens, even incandescent lighting. By reducing the amount of heat that is generated you can reduce the cost of cooling that area.
These simple tricks can drastically reduce your energy consumption and costs.
Sources:
U.S Department of Energy, Energy Savers, Thermostats and Control Systems
Edison Electric Institute, Energy-Efficient Tips and Products for Commercial Use
What is budget billing?
Many utility companies offer a budget billing plan to their customers. This basically means that you will end up paying a set amount each month for your utility bill. Your utility company will generally take an average of your past energy usage and estimate future gas or electric costs to come up with your monthly set amount. While this may seem like a great idea, you should carefully consider several things before enrolling.
First you should find out if a refund or credit will be issued if less energy is used. Some utility companies may not issue a refund if less power is used than planned. Additionally you may need to set aside extra money to cover the cost after the settle-up if more energy was used than the utility planned for.
Second you should also look at administration fees associated with the service. Many will charge a monthly fee. The fees will vary from utility to utility, but anything more than two or three dollars a month is too much for this service.
Third you should consider the contract that you sign when enrolling for the budget plan offered by your utility. There may be penalties applied if you move or turn off the service. For example you may end up paying extra when you move if you have used more power than was budgeted.
Fourth if you are enrolled with a Registered Energy Supplier such as Realgy Energy Services, it is important to find out if all charges will be covered under the budgeted amount. Some utilities will not allow for budgeting if the customer is enrolled with a supplier.
It is important that you fully understand what you are signing up for, check out your local utilities website before signing up for a budget plan or request to see a copy of the contract.
However, the easiest way to reduce your monthly utility bill would be to enroll with a Registered Energy Supplier to lower your energy rates, check out Realgy Energy Services rates for June 2012 and see how much you could be saving www.realgyenergyservices.com.
Spring Cleaning Tips to Increase Energy Efficiency
Spring cleaning usually involves making sure all the nooks and crannies are clean after the long winter months. This year why not use these helpful tips to increase the energy efficiency of your home or office. Not only will your energy usage decrease so will your energy bills!
Refrigerators account for up to eleven percent of the total energy used, which has a major impact on your energy bill. Make sure you clean the condenser coils to ensure that air can circulate freely, if dust builds up clogging the coils the motor must work harder and use more electricity. You should also check the door seals to ensure they are air tight. You can do this by placing a piece of paper in-between the door, if you can pull it out without difficulty you may need to adjust the latch or consider replacing the seals.
Don’t forget about your Air conditioner call to schedule a checkup to make sure it is operating at peak efficiency. If you have central air conditioning, keep your thermostat at 78 degrees. You can save approximately six to seven percent off your cooling costs for each degree above 78. If you are in the market to replace your old central air conditioner, make sure to look for a new ENERGY STAR qualified model. These energy-efficient models can reduce your cooling costs by 20 percent.
If you do not have an AC, proper ventilation of your home or office can provide the same level of comfort at a much lower cost. A whole house ventilation system will draw cool air through the house. Ceiling fans are another option to create a cool breeze and keep the air circulating in your home, ensure that all fans are working properly and are dust-free.
Last but not least, if your home or office has a sliding glass door, make sure to keep its track clean. A dirty track can ruin the door’s seal, resulting in gaps where cold air can escape.
Now that your home and or office is clean and energy-efficient, why not save even more money by checking out Realgy Energy Services low monthly rates on Natural Gas and Electricity. Our customers have saved upwards of 19% on their energy costs over a twelve month period as compared to their local utility. Check out our website www.RealgyEnergyServices.com, or call one of our Energy Brokers at (877) 300-6747 to learn how you can save on your energy usage.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, “Energy Savers Tips on Saving Money & Energy at Home”
Home Energy Team, “Energy Efficient Solutions”
Money Crashers “House Spring Cleaning Tips & Checklist – How to Spring Clean“
Natural Gas Storage Season is here
Realgy Energy Services Natural Gas Storage Program is just one more way we help our customers save money on their energy usage.
Natural Gas Storage is the service of purchasing a percentage of your annual gas usage during the summer months and storing it. This stored gas is then delivered to you during the winter months. That is why we call it “winter gas at summer prices.”
Natural Gas Storage injections begin in April and run through October. As part of our customer Benefits Realgy Energy Services purchases approximately 20% of your annual Natural Gas usage during the months of April, May, June, July, August, September and October. For each of these seven months we will buy approximately 2.85% more gas than you use, at the low spring and summer variable rates.
Then during the 5 winter months of November, December, January, February, and March, this stored Natural Gas will be withdrawn and delivered to you. Since you have already purchased this Natural Gas, you will see an even greater savings during the winter months.
Realgy offers this storage program whenever we can. If your Utility allows Realgy to offer a storage program, it will be listed in our Service Plan table on our website www.realgyenergyservices.com, or you can contact customer service at 877-300-6747.