Summertime is officially underway in Arkansas, and there’s no better time to enjoy our favorite outdoor activities with our friends and family. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when our electric bills skyrocket higher than the temperature outdoors, and we find ourselves at the mercy of utility providers who have the freedom to raise their rates as they see fit. The good news is that there are many easy ways to reduce our household energy consumption without compromising our comfort, and our team at Gary Houston Electric is here to help!

We’ve been central Arkansas’ most trusted residential electrical company since 1978, and we offer emergency electrical services around the clock! We love helping homeowners find ways to lower their bills, and strongly recommend scheduling an in-home energy audit if you’ve recently encountered an unexpected increase in your utility bills, or if you’re simply tired of paying too much. Here are a few easy ways to “tighten your belt” this summer:

Keep your HVAC systems running efficiently. This is an ideal time to schedule an HVAC system tune-up, and your utility provider may offer this service for free or at a discounted rate. Be sure to also regularly vacuum your air intake vents to remove any dust buildup and keep them unobstructed at all times.

Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable digital thermostat can save you up to 10% on your energy bills, and it can also help you prolong the life of your HVAC unit. Newer programmable thermostat models also now offer app-based connectivity, allowing you to make adjustments on the fly and monitor your energy usage.

Set your ceiling fans to spin counter-clockwise. The easiest way to remember when to change the direction of your ceiling fans is to switch them to spin counter-clockwise when we “spring forward” and clockwise when we “fall back.” You should also remember that fans cool people, not rooms, and you’re wasting money if your ceiling fans are running when a room is unoccupied.

To learn more or schedule an energy efficiency audit, contact us online or at 501-375-8330.Be sure to also ask us for a free, no-obligation estimate for a KOHLER emergency backup generator!