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Professional Mr. Electric technician testing a residential electrical panel to ensure home safety during National Electrical Safety Month.

National Electrical Safety Month: Your Guide to Checking Electrical Hazards in Your Home

May is National Electrical Safety Month, making it the ideal time to check the systems that homeowners rely on every day. Electrical hazards often develop quietly through overloaded circuits, aging panels, or outdated outlets until they become costly or dangerous problems.

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Showing 41 Results for Energy Savings

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About Mr. Electric

Established in 1994, Mr. Electric® is a global franchise organization providing electrical installation and repair services. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500,” Mr. Electric franchisees provide these services to both residential and commercial customers at almost 200 locations worldwide. Mr. Electric is a subsidiary of the Neighborly® family of service franchises.
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Mr. Electric electrician arriving to perform electrical repair service.
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Closing Thoughts

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This completes our U.S.-wide circuit of home electric spending in each U.S. state. As we've explored the ups and downs of the cost of energy, we hope we've also sparked a deeper understanding of the power of place and how it impacts monthly electric bills.

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As your trusted electric services provider, Mr. Electric is dedicated to helping you stay current on energy trends and find ways to optimize your electricity usage. For more insights, tips, and tricks to manage your energy costs or to browse our extensive services, be sure to visit our website. Also, don't miss our enlightening blog post on exactly how much money you can save by turning off lights.

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Let's work together to make a bright and energy-efficient future a reality!

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Methodology

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To determine the amount of electric usage by household by state per month, we first collected all necessary data points from the U.S. Energy Information Administration for every year from 2012 to 2021. From there, we calculated the total per household kWh use by dividing total residential kWh sales by the number of households in that state based on the Census Bureau data for the given year. Next, we uncovered the cost per household by multiplying the total kWh used by the average retail price (cents/kWh). Finally, we divided that number by 12 to estimate the average monthly household electricity cost for every state each year from 2012 through 2021.

\r\n"}, { "custom_dt_modified":"2025-07-08T07:19:33Z", "custom_s_local_url":"/blog/important-things-to-consider-if-your-business-needs-ballast-or-bulb-replacement", "custom_s_opus_version":"2", "custom_s_heading":"Important Things to Consider If Your Business Needs Ballast or Bulb Replacement", "custom_s_local_dba":"none", "custom_dt_created":"2025-07-08T00:00:00Z", "custom_s_category":"energy-savings", "custom_ss_category":["energy-savings"], "custom_s_article_summary_Image_url":"/us/en-us/mr-electric/_assets/images/Blog/mre-blog-important-things-to-consider-if-your-business-needs-ballast-or-bulb-replacement(1).webp", "custom_t_content_summary_Desc":"If the lights in your business are on their way out, making a change to your ballasts or bulbs may offer you tremendous opportunity.", "custom_t_content_summary_Image_url_alt":"Bulb Replacement.", "custom_t_heading":"Important Things to Consider If Your Business Needs Ballast or Bulb Replacement", "custom_t_content":"

\"Bulb

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Mr. Electric outlines key steps for safe and efficient ballast or bulb replacement in commercial settings.

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  • Assess lighting needs and compatibility before replacement
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  • Turn off power and follow safety protocols
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  • Choose energy-efficient bulbs and quality ballasts
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  • Properly dispose of old components per regulations
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  • Consult professionals for complex installations
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If the lights in your business are on their way out, making a change to your ballasts or bulbs may offer you tremendous opportunity. There’s a lot to consider when selecting the right ballast and bulb combination, however, and the decision you make today will affect your business for years to come.

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There’s more to choosing lighting than replacing that faulty ballast.

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The right lighting can result in substantial savings on your monthly energy costs, of which lighting accounts for nearly 35 percent. The right lighting can also reduce maintenance needs, improve productivity, and reduce your carbon footprint.

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Watts up?

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Watts measure the amount of energy required to light a bulb. Today, however, bulbs are measured in lumens, or the amount of visible light produced. Why? It all boils down to efficiency. Opting for ballast and bulb combinations that are more efficient than yesterday’s incandescents offer a superior return on investment.

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Halogen

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Fluorescent

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CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light)

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HID/Metal Halide

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LED (Light Emitting Diodes)

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Going beyond the bulb…

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There’s more to upgrading your lighting than simple bulb and ballast replacement, however. According to the SBA (Small Business Association), technology plus effective design equals performance and energy savings. Screwing in more efficient bulbs are a great start, but not enough if you want the whole package. Ballast selection and lighting design are essential to getting the most bang for your lighting buck. For this, you’ll need the help of a Mr. Electric® lighting professional to coordinate:

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Ballast or fixture selection

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Finding the most efficient technology to meet your application needs and/or style.

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Ballast and fixture placement

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Including taking into consideration ceiling height, spacing, glare, light distribution, and task plane height.

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Overall appearance and brightness

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Including taking into account room finishes - paint colors and types that will improve lighting quality.

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And more…

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From safety considerations to integration with other building systems

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Looking for a little more control and savings? You may want…

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No matter what type of lighting your business utilizes, from LED indoor lighting solutions to landscaping and security lights, Mr. Electric has your covered. Contact Mr. Electric and discover the many ways new lighting can brighten up your business today.

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Other Related Blog Topics

\n\"Bulb \"Bulb \"Bulb \"Bulb\r\n"}, { "custom_dt_modified":"2025-07-08T07:19:31Z", "custom_s_local_url":"/blog/upgrade-your-electrical-system-for-electrical-vehicles", "custom_s_opus_version":"2", "custom_s_heading":"Home Electrical System Upgrade for EV & EV Charger", "custom_s_local_dba":"none", "custom_dt_created":"2025-07-08T00:00:00Z", "custom_s_category":"energy-savings", "custom_ss_category":["energy-savings"], "custom_s_article_summary_Image_url":"/us/en-us/mr-electric/_assets/images/Blog/mre-blog-mr-electric-professional-showing-a-home-electrical-panel-370.webp", "custom_t_content_summary_Desc":"Electric vehicle home charging stations are an important part of your EV purchase, so it’s important to learn all you can about this facet of your new automobile to ensure a safe, fast, reliable charge.", "custom_t_content_summary_Image_url_alt":"Mr.Electric professional showing a home electrical panel.", "custom_t_heading":"Home Electrical System Upgrade for EV & EV Charger", "custom_t_content":"\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Mr. Electric outlines essential steps for upgrading your home’s electrical system to support electric vehicle charging.

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  • Assess your current electrical panel’s capacity
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  • Consult a licensed electrician for a professional evaluation
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  • Install a dedicated EV charging circuit
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  • Upgrade wiring and outlets as needed
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  • Schedule regular maintenance for safety
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Electric vehicle home charging stations are an important part of your EV purchase, so it’s important to learn all you can about this facet of your new automobile to ensure a safe, fast, reliable charge. Charging your voltage-powered vehicle by plugging into a standard 120-volt electrical outlet is possible — though in some cases, your system may not be up to the challenge, and in others, you may be wasting precious time. Should you consider a home electrical system upgrade for EV and EV charging? Although it is not necessary, an upgrade can be worthwhile in certain cases …

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\"Mr.

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Is Good Enough, Good Enough?

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Most modern electric cars can plug into a standard 120-volt outlet, but upgrading your system may be necessary for safety and time savings. You adjust your car mirrors for maximum visibility and safety, why not perform a quick safety check on the state of your home charging setup, verifying its suitability with the help of a qualified electrician?

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Houston, We Have a Problem

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When performing electric vehicle charging at home, dimming lights and repeated circuit breaker tripping are sure signs of insufficient electrical service for meeting your charging needs – a common issue in homes more than 20 years old. According to studies, vehicle charging at 9.6 kW can double or triple your home’s prior peak electrical load, creating problems with insufficient power supply throughout the day or night as you charge. In addition to providing safer, more reliable charging, addressing these insufficiencies with a home electrical system upgrade for EV and EV chargers can vastly improve the safety and speed of the recharging process.

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Home Electrical System Voltage for Electric Cars

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Out of Gas?

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\"Mr.

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You’ve already bought into a greener, more fuel-efficient future with your EV purchase. And these significant savings can go a long way toward a rapid return on investment in a safer, faster, more reliable electric vehicle charging system installation from Mr. Electric. Trained and qualified, Mr. Electric has the skills to handle any installation, from residential to high-voltage commercial applications. Contact us to schedule your electrical safety inspection and EV charging system installation consultation today.

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This blog is made available by Mr. Electric for educational purposes only to give the reader general information and a general understanding on the specific subject above. The blog should not be used as a substitute for a licensed electrical professional in your state or region. Check with city and state laws before performing any household project.

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\"Person

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Mr. Electric shares top tips for reducing your electric bill.

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  • Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances
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  • Unplug devices when not in use
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  • Use programmable thermostats
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  • Switch to LED lighting
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  • Schedule regular electrical maintenance
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With the high cost of electricity increasing and fluctuating, it’s no wonder that many people have the same concerns about how and where to save on energy use in their homes. But when viewing a monthly electric bill, it’s hard to identify what percentage of energy use is necessary, and what amount is just overconsumption.

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Because of this, many people prioritize saving money on their electric bill. And with this goal comes some burning questions—ones that we have helpful answers to.

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Your Most Common Questions About Electric Bill Savings Answered

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While it’s easy to first assume that turning off energy sources, or replacing them with smaller energy users, will quickly cut back on costs, it often poses safety hazards and potential damage to your wiring or appliances.

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To help, we’ve listed your most common questions, their answers, and some helpful tips:

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Do surge protectors save money? - While surge protectors don’t directly save you money on your electric bill, they do prevent power outages or surges from damaging your devices and appliances. In turn, you can save money by not having to replace expensive technology or schedule more frequent safety inspections.

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Tip: Install a whole-house surge protector to safeguard your home electronics before a power surge occurs.

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Do electric heaters save money? - Electric heaters can be a great money-saving option if you have a smaller, more open home layout, or you just have an area that needs better heating in the colder months. However, because they are meant for smaller spaces, using electric space heaters throughout your home will eventually cost you more than running an efficient home heating system would.

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Tip: For those extra cold days, try closing off unused spaces, making sure your ducts are properly sealed, and warming up with extra blankets or hot drinks. Check the weatherstripping around your windows and doors and replace it if it’s worn or missing.

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Will turning off some breakers save money? - In short, yes. However, frequently turning off breakers can cause damage to your circuit and appliances over time because they are meant to be a safety measure, and not a method of energy saving.

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Tip: If you’re going away on a lengthy vacation, or looking to reduce energy vampires in your home, start by lowering your temperature, unplugging big appliances (besides major HVAC systems), or turning off your power strips.

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Does turning off your heat save money? - Besides warming our freezing toes, heating your home prevents your pipes from freezing and keeps appliances running smoothly, even when you’re not home. So, while we don’t advise shutting your heat off, lowering your temperature by even a few degrees can make an impact on electric bills.

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Tip: While you’re away from home, adjust the thermostat on your heating system to a lower temperature. You can also save money by better insulating your home, sealing any air gaps, closing your blinds, and scheduling a tune-up for your heating system to make sure it’s running at full efficiency.

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How To Maximize Savings on Your Electric Bill

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The most effective way to reduce energy use and save money is to get to the root of the problem. One way to tackle this is by learning how to read your electric meter. Doing so can help you keep track of discrepancies between monthly energy use and consumption habits. From there, you can determine why your electric bill might be high, and how to make practical lifestyle changes to reduce costs.

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Ask the Experts for Savings Advice

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Despite your best efforts, some electrical costs might be beyond your control. The service experts at Mr. Electric have the experience to answer more specific questions about your electrical use based on your home’s needs. We can also identify hidden electrical issues with an electrical safety inspection. To get the best savings on your electric bill, call us or schedule an appointment online.

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Mr. Electric explains how turning off lights saves money and energy.

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  • Switch off lights when leaving a room.
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  • Use energy-efficient LED bulbs.
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  • Install motion sensors or timers.
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  • Maximize natural daylight.
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  • Regularly maintain lighting fixtures for optimal performance.
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Some people have a bad habit of leaving the lights on when they exit a room. Some even forget to shut off the lights before they leave the house. Is this a big deal?

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How Much Does It Cost to Leave the Lights On?

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Not all light bulbs are created equal. Incandescent bulbs, the oldest lighting technology still in use today, is the least efficient and most expensive to operate. The Department of Energy breaks down electricity use and costs by bulb, each of which is equal in brightness to a 60 watt (W) incandescent:

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The Cost of Lighting Adds Up

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Seeing the above numbers may at first convince you that leaving your lights on is no big deal. However, stop to think about how many lights are in your home and how long you keep them on each day and the costs add up quickly.

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According to Energy Star, the average home has 40 light bulbs. The cost to light your home accounts for about 20 percent of your electric bill, costing the average homeowner $200 per year. Consider how much money you spend based on the types of bulbs you use and how much you can save by turning them off when you leave.

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When to Turn Off Lights to Maximize Savings

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Do you waste more electricity by turning your lights off and on repeatedly? Sure, a few dollars here and there may not seem like much, but to maximize your savings, know when to turn off your lights according to the DOE:

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Contact Mr. Electric

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Interested in maximizing energy savings in other ways? Contact Mr. Electric® for more ideas.

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This blog is made available by Mr. Electric for educational purposes only to give the reader general information and a general understanding on the specific subject above. The blog should not be used as a substitute for a licensed electrical professional in your state or region. Check with city and state laws before performing any household project.
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For Further Reading:

\n\r\n"}, { "custom_dt_modified":"2025-07-08T06:58:35Z", "custom_s_local_url":"/blog/wish-list-energy-savings-around-the-world", "custom_s_opus_version":"2", "custom_s_heading":"Wish List: Energy Savings Around the World", "custom_s_local_dba":"none", "custom_dt_created":"2025-07-08T00:00:00Z", "custom_s_category":"energy-savings", "custom_ss_category":["energy-savings"], "custom_s_article_summary_Image_url":"/us/en-us/mr-electric/_assets/images/Blog/mre-blog-wish-list-energy-savings-around-the-world-1.webp", "custom_t_content_summary_Desc":"By Kellie Pearson\n\nThe holidays are just around the corner. Children all over the world are making their Christmas lists to send t", "custom_t_content_summary_Image_url_alt":"Energy Savings.", "custom_t_heading":"Wish List: Energy Savings Around the World", "custom_t_content":"

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Mr. Electric highlights global energy-saving strategies to inspire eco-friendly habits at home.

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  • Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances
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  • Use smart thermostats for optimal heating and cooling
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  • Switch to LED lighting
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  • Unplug devices when not in use
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  • Embrace renewable energy sources
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By Kellie Pearson

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The holidays are just around the corner. Children all over the world are making their Christmas lists to send to Santa. Here at Mr. Electric®, we have a Christmas list too, except it is not for Santa, it is for you! Our main Christmas wish is for everyone to conserve energy more effectively. Learn how you can make our Christmas dream come true with these four tips.

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  1. Watt up: We’ve all been yelled at by grandma to turn the lights off when we leave the room a time or two, and we already all know that replacing old light bulbs with energy efficiency ones a trick. But, have you ever thought about the energy savings and utility cost reduction you can get by installing light dimmers and timers? They can enhance the safety and ambiance in your home too. With today’s technology, you can also control your lighting via a user-friendly remote or smart device.
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  3. Power down: As our moms have repeatedly told us, turning electronics off when we are away and unplugging any unused chargers will be beneficial in saving energy as well as helping your high-end electronics to last a bit longer – and who doesn’t want that? Installing surge protection in your home will also increase the lifespan of your electronics and prevent you from purchasing new ones sooner than you’d like. You can also install noise filtration to have cleaner power circulate throughout your home.
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  5. Sun in: There’s so much energy from the sun that’s not being used! Why not put it to use in your home?! Pulling the curtains back when it’s a sunny winter day can help warm up your home, allowing you to turn down the thermostat a few degrees. Installing a solar energy system will reduce your carbon footprint, increase your property value, and save on that dreaded electricity bill while you’re at it.
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  7. Tank out: Ever heard of tankless water heater installation? You can eliminate the standby losses of tank systems and reduce energy use, producing water when you need it, where you need it. That’s right: no more cold showers after your unruly relative flushes the toilet or obnoxiously uses all the hot water.
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An energy audit can provide an up-close look at the efficiency of your home and additional suggestions for ways to reduce energy consumption. Nothing makes us happier than helping you find more ways to save on energy and electricity bills.

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Mr. Electric! Make sure to get started writing those letters to Santa – we hear he is pretty busy this time of year!

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