Upgrading your home's electrical wiring can improve energy efficiency and save you money on utility bills. As a homeowner, I've discovered several overlooked ways to get more out of my home's electrical system. In this comprehensive guide, I'll share my top tips for wiring your home for maximum efficiency and cost savings.
Conduct an Energy Audit
First, perform an energy audit to identify areas for improvement. This involves:
-
Checking insulation levels in walls, attics, basements, etc. Insufficient insulation leads to wasted cooling and heating energy.
-
Inspecting windows and doors for air leaks letting conditioned air escape. Seal leaks with caulk and weather stripping.
-
Examining HVAC equipment like furnaces and AC units. Old or improperly sized equipment operates inefficiently.
-
Evaluating lighting fixtures and bulbs. Switch to LEDs to reduce lighting energy use.
-
Testing appliances for efficiency. Replace outdated refrigerators, washers, etc. with ENERGY STAR models.
The audit results will reveal your home's problem spots to target.
Upgrade the Electrical Panel
Your home's electrical panel regulates power flow from the utility company throughout your home. An outdated panel will limit your ability to implement energy-efficient improvements.
Signs it's time to upgrade include:
-
Frequent tripped breakers: Insufficient amperage causes dangerous overloads.
-
Only screw-in fuses: Modern breakers are safer and more reliable.
-
Older than 40 years: New panels have higher capacity and safety features.
Replacing the electrical panel provides capacity to add new high-efficiency appliances and charging stations while improving electrical safety.
Improve Lighting Efficiency
Lighting accounts for 11% of a home's energy use. Switching to efficient bulbs like LEDs can reduce lighting energy use up to 80%. I recommend:
-
Replacing all bulbs with ENERGY STAR LED equivalents. Prioritize high-use fixtures first.
-
Installing dimmers, motion sensors, and timers to reduce wasted lighting. Dimmers work well for LEDs.
-
Adding lighting controls like smart switches. These make it easy to automate and program lighting based on schedules and occupancy sensing.
Also, maximize use of natural daylight through skylights, larger windows, and light tubes. Proper lighting upgrades make rooms more comfortable while slashing lighting energy expenditures.
Adjust HVAC Settings
Heating and cooling comprise the largest chunk of home energy bills. Fine-tuning HVAC settings optimizes energy use while maintaining comfort. Helpful tips include:
-
Lower the thermostat temperature 1-3°F during cold seasons. Do the opposite with AC in warm seasons. Small adjustments make a difference without sacrificing comfort.
-
Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust temperature based on time of day and occupancy patterns. Turning down heating/cooling when away and at night can save 5-15% on bills.
-
Set the furnace fan to "auto" so it only runs as needed for heating/cooling. Keeping it on constantly wastes energy.
-
Change central air filters monthly for proper airflow. Dirty units run longer to maintain temperature.
-
Ensure ductwork is well insulated and sealed. Leaky ducts force the HVAC system to work harder.
Routine HVAC maintenance also improves efficiency. Overall, optimizing settings and upgrading equipment provides one of the best returns on investment for energy savings.
Add Smart Power Strips
Plugging electronics into outlets seems harmless. However, devices in standby mode still draw power 24/7. This "phantom" load can account for 5-10% of electricity use!
Smart power strips curb phantom drain by cutting power to outlets when the main device is off. For example, when the TV is off, an integrated power strip also turns off the DVD player, game console, streaming box, etc.
I make sure to plug the following devices into smart power strips to prevent needless energy waste:
-
Electronics with clocks or indicator lights (cable boxes, phone chargers)
-
Computers and home office equipment when not in use
-
Entertainment systems like TVs and speakers
Installing smart power strips provides an easy way to make a significant dent in phantom energy loads.
Summary
Upgrading a home's electrical system provides one of the best returns for lowering energy use and costs. I recommend starting with an energy audit to identify problem areas. Key efficiency improvements include upgrading the electrical panel, switching to LED lighting, optimizing HVAC settings, and utilizing smart power strips. With a bit of planning and investment in electrical upgrades, homeowners can realize dramatic savings on monthly utility bills while also increasing home comfort, safety, and functionality.