[This is a guest post by T. Williams]
If you’re interested in saving dollars on energy costs, Petroleum Wholesale has expert advice for you. As energy costs continue to rise, families and businesses find that increasing energy costs for heating, transportation, and production eat up an ever-larger share of their budgets. Gaining some control over these costs is one of the best ways to save a large amount of money with little effort. Unfortunately, many people do not know what the best methods are for controlling these costs.
Here are a few industry-proven tips for decreasing consumption and reducing costs:
Monitoring Your Energy Use
One of the reasons energy bills and expenses are so high is because companies do not actively monitor their energy costs. Instead of taking the time each day to determine how much energy they are using and discover ways to reduce this use, they do not think about the amount of energy used until they receive the bill and are shocked at the costs. One method for reducing your consumption is by staying aware of the amount that you are using and actively deploying methods for reducing it. This may include strategies like turning off lights — or installing motion sensor lighting systems — when they are not needed, running errands in one trip, carpooling, and turning off HVAC systems when a building or home isn’t in use.
Shop Around For the Best Price
Petroleum Wholesale also recommends shopping around for the best price to reduce energy costs by a significant amount. Different providers offer different rates for all types of energy, including electricity, natural gas, and petroleum. In some cases, calling around to the different providers in your area is a great way to determine which one has the best price. For other situations, like finding out which gas stations are selling gasoline for the lowest price, there are websites that monitor the prices for each provider and list them. A few minutes of searching can save you a significant amount on your energy costs, an important factor for increasing profits.
Choose Energy Efficient Products
There are many energy efficient products available that can help individuals and businesses reduce their energy usage and expenses. From hybrid cars to Energy Star certified appliances, there is an energy efficient product for nearly every need. While these products may have a higher cost up front, the amount saved in energy expenses quickly makes up the difference. Here are a few Energy Star-rated items that help reduce consumption:
- Clothes Washers: Washers with Energy Star labels typically use 20 percent less energy and 35 percent less water. Most washers have an increased load capacity, which means fewer cycles and more savings.
- Refrigerators: Just about every break room and kitchen has one refrigerator running at a single time, and restaurants usually have several. Energy Star refrigerators are said to consume 15 percent less energy, a fact in point that reduces energy bills and environmental footprints.
- Air Conditioners: Central AC units with Energy Star tags have higher seasonal efficiency and energy efficiency ratios. They are proven to be 15 percent more efficient. Households and businesses can actively reduce AC costs by keeping windows open, using ceiling and floor fans, and losing the suit jackets and ties.
- Furnaces: Other than layering or building a fire, furnaces are necessary during the winter months. Energy Star qualified heating systems use 12 to 16 percent less energy every year. There are other differences between oil and gas furnaces, so don’t be afraid to shop around.
- Roofing: People often overlook what is directly above them. Energy Star roofing products can reduce surface temperatures and decrease heat transfers during hot summer days. In conjunction with air conditioners and fans, a good roof can reduce cooling demand by 15 percent.
Taken individually, every efficient appliance only helps a little bit. In tandem, however, these systems can drastically decrease energy consumption and, by extension, dreaded utility bills. One of the best ways to reduce costs without buying new systems is to utilize what you already have. Open windows when it is hot, don’t use the oven on hot days, and wash only full loads of laundry.
Following these recommendations from Petroleum Wholesale can help you save hundreds of dollars on your energy costs each year.
Photo credit: NeoGaboX