Increasing Comfort While Decreasing Energy Useage

Bill Lutz, an electrician with Generation 3 Electric in Philadelphia, shares some simple upgrades that can be done to any home by a licensed electrician that will save energy and pay for themselves in the long run.

Use Dimmers: Did you know it usually takes an incandescent bulb 10 minutes to achieve full power and brightness even with a regular on/off switch? If you do use incandescent or halogen lights, (as opposed to more energy-efficient florescent bulbs), install a dimmer to control the voltage that is sent to the light bulb. Not only will you be using less electricity to power the light, but you will also get the warmer lighting tones that many people find relaxing and homey. Slow-start dimmers will also conserve the life of your light bulbs too.

Install Motion Sensors: A motion sensor makes sense. in many places in your home The rooms where you tend to go in and out of frequently rather than stay in for a while are the most obvious choices. Install them in your closets, bathrooms and garages. Other great places for motion sensors are places that you just pass through, such as outdoor lighting in your driveway or the path in the backyard that leads to your shed.

Use a Digital Thermostat: A seeming no-brainer, this is hugely effective to raise and lower your temperature when you are not at home. Older twist thermostats must be adjusted all the time and we often forget to do so.  So, use a digital thermostat to lower the temperature during the day when you are at work and start raising the temperature towards the evening so it is warm by the time you come home.

Correct Your Power: In air conditioning units, power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power. What this means simply is often when you have an old system, more power will be sent to your unit than is needed and energy is wasted as a result. Power factor correction (by switching inductor and capacitors) can store the electricity that would otherwise be wasted and use it when it is needed. It is relatively easy and cheap and will save you money in the long run.


Install Ceiling Fans: These are much cheaper than air conditioners and will do a  good job keeping you cool. They also work great to circulate both the warm or cool air in your house (depending on season, of course) , so your HVAC system does not have to work as hard to do its job. They are also immediately noticeable, so this is an upgrade that can be appreciated and add value when you are looking to sell or rent a house or apartment unit.