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David Heintz
President
A & H Electric Co.
3505 N. Loop 336 West
Conroe, Texas 77304
Office: (936) 756-0442

Category: Energy Saving

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Focus on Electrical Savings this Spring

The official start of spring is a few short days away. The new season is associated with fresh beginnings, making it an ideal time to fling the windows open, allowing natural light and air to infuse your home while you spruce it up.

It’s time to grab some organizational and cleaning supplies and get to work.

It’s also essential, particularly since daylight savings time has begun, to prioritize energy-saving and electrical safety improvements. If your electrical system requires repairs or you’re adding new equipment, then you’ll want to hire a licensed electrician who services the Conroe, Texas area.

Here are some simple ways to improve the energy-efficiency of your home.

Seal Leaks

Most households are losing energy without even realizing it. That’s because the conditioned air is flowing outside through hidden leaks found around your home. Typical electrical areas of concern include recessed lighting, outlet boxes, and light switches. Several sealing air leak techniques include installing insulating seals, caulking around windows, and applying weatherstripping around doors.

Advanced Surge Protectors

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing an advanced surge protector is a cost-effective way to improve energy-efficiency as they prevent vampire loads, which continue to consume power even when they’re “off.” Many of the available strips offer individual outlets, so you can turn off power to only one device while using the others.

Install a Smart Thermostat

On warm spring days when you’d rather be out admiring the area’s native wildflowers, a smart thermostat can adjust indoor temperatures to reflect your coming and going habits, helping to reduce energy consumption and save on cooling costs. The compatible app allows you to adjust temperatures remotely and monitor your energy usage.

Open the Blinds for Natural Light

You’d be amazed at how much electricity all the lights in your home use. Information that a professionally installed energy usage monitor can accurately provide. A licensed electrician should professionally install these. During the daytime, open your home’s blinds and curtains, allowing the sun to offer efficient amounts of light. Natural lights can also provide a boost of Vitamin D.

Hire a Licensed Electrician to Service Your Electric

A&H Electric Co. is a certified and licensed electrician specializing in residential and commercial installation, service, and repair. Our company also offers 24-hour repair services in the Conroe, Houston, and The Woodlands area.

Please contact us at (936) 756-0442 to schedule a service appointment.

Our electricians possess the equipment and knowledge required to ensure your system is fully operational. We’re committed to doing the job right the first time. All work will be performed in a craftsman-like manner and carry a full one-year warranty.

Resources:

“Locating Air Leaks.” ENERGY STAR.

“Save Energy in Your Household with a Smart Power Strip.” The U.S. Department of Energy.

“The Health Benefits of Natural Light (and 7 Ways to Get More of It).” Healthline.

Open post Making-Sense-of-Your-Home-Energy-Use

Making Sense of Your Home Energy Use

It can be challenging to determine what appliances and electronics are consuming the most electricity. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, especially troubling are those that consume power when in a standby mode, as they can add an extra ten percent to your monthly utility bill.

You can identify inefficient devices and behaviors by using residential energy monitoring and management systems. These systems are connected to your electrical panel and, to ensure optimal performance, are best installed by a certified electrician.

They can provide an accurate readout of hourly electricity use so that you can make the best use of your energy consumption habits. They can also help you recognize areas where energy-efficient improvements may be of benefit.

Household vs. Appliance Energy Monitors

There are two types of energy monitors: household and appliance. A certified electrician is needed to connect a home energy monitor to your breaker box. Hiring a professional ensures that the system is installed correctly and that it is optimally performing. It will provide you with useful data in real-time so that you can take steps to reduce your carbon footprint while saving money on your monthly utility bills.

The other type of energy monitor on the market today is called watt electricity usage monitors. These are incredibly portable and can be used for multiple devices. To use the monitor, plug it into an outlet, and then connect the appliance to the device’s outlet. They are useful for assessing major appliances’ efficiency, desktop and laptop computers, flat-screen televisions, and other popular electronics.

Contact a Certified Electrician Today

A&H Electric can expertly handle all your electrical projects, regardless of complexity. It is essential to have a licensed electrician complete all electrical work to ensure your system is up to code and operating both reliably and safely.

A&H Electric is a certified and licensed residential and commercial electrician specializing in installation, service, and repair. Our company is proud to help with your electrical system in Conroe, Texas, and neighboring communities.

Please schedule an appointment today at (936) 756-0442.

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Tips to Save Energy While Working from Home

As people continue to work from home – for which there are substantial environmental and financial benefits – higher utility bills may be an unfortunate reality for many. Employees need equipment that, when used continuously, for up to eight hours a day, consumes a lot of energy. That includes their computers, computer components, printers/scanners, tablets, and other essential gadgets. With these tips from a certified electrician, though, you can save energy and money while working from home without compromising productivity.

Change Your Plan

Contact your electric service provider and ask whether they offer money-saving residential plans. Often referred to as time-of-use plans, these programs offer lower rates during off-peak hours. The goal is to reduce electricity demand during peak hours. When looking at plans, if applicable, it’s essential to seriously consider your work hours and the number of appliances/equipment you use. That will help you make an informed decision.

Use Energy-Efficient Equipment

There are plenty of energy-efficient products, including office equipment, from trusted manufacturers. ENERGY STAR certified products are designed to use significantly less energy than standard models. Their operation and idle demands are much more efficient. Using LED bulbs, along with opening curtains during the daytime, can save you even more money on your monthly utility bills.

Install a Smart Home Energy Monitor

Get a better understanding of your energy consumption by hiring a certified electrician to install a smart home energy monitor. These devices are connected to an appropriately labeled breaker panel. That will come in handy both during installation and operation. Once professionally installed, the energy affords you the opportunity to see how much power appliances and equipment are drawing at any given moment, using just your smartphone.

Contact a Certified Electrician in Conroe

Have a certified electrician do an electrical inspection to ensure your system is operating reliably and safely. Doing this can also save you energy as an electrician can identify costly problems that may impact your energy consumption. Schedule an appointment with an electrical contractor today at (936) 756-0442. A&H Electric is a residential and commercial electrical contractor specializing in electric installation, repair, and service. Our company services Conroe and the surrounding communities of Texas.

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Help Mom Save Energy this Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 10, this year. While you may be tempted to send the special women in your life a virtual gift card this Mother’s Day – which is an excellent way to help support local businesses – what would brighten her day are gifts designed to conserve energy. 

The need for energy-saving products is more significant than ever before as more people are working and studying from home during these challenging times. You could also add to the present by sending her a gift certificate to a restaurant, small business, or electrical contractor that she can redeem later.

LED Light Bulbs

LED lights bulbs are a great gift that can save mom about 75 percent a year on lighting costs. Not only do ENERGY STAR certified bulbs use less energy than traditional, incandescent bulbs, but their life expectancy is also rated in years rather than weeks or months. LEDs are widely available in various shades and as dimmable bulbs. If your mom has a smart home or has been hinting at creating one, you can also give her the gift of a Wi-Fi-connected LED starter kit.

Learning Thermostat

The summers in Conroe, Texas, are hot. Your mom’s electric bill may increase when she turns on the air conditioner. Help her save by giving her a learning thermostat. These thermostats are designed to learn her cooling habits and, within a short amount of time, automatically adjust the home’s temperature in response to her comings and goings. Plus, she can monitor and control the temperature even when she’s away, just by using the compatible smartphone app.

Instant Pot

You may not be able to treat the special women in your life to dinner, but you can help them conveniently cook healthy dinners at home each night of the week with an Instant Pot. These appliances are particularly ideal for busy moms and, because they eliminate the need to use the oven or stovetop, may save energy. There is a wide range of models on the market today, including smart Wi-Fi machines and those with air frying features. For the mom who already has one of these multi-cookers, you can purchase an air fryer lid. You can even find fun decals for them online.

Schedule an appointment with an electrical contractor today at (936) 756-0442. A&H Electric is a residential and commercial electrical contractor specializing in electric installation, repair, and service. Our company services Conroe and the surrounding communities of Texas.

6 Ways to Save Money on Your Electricity Bill this Month

Energy Saving

save money

If you are finding that the cost of your energy bill is through the roof – and would like to save money at the end of the month – the first thing to look at is where you’re consuming energy. Reducing your energy consumption is an excellent way to quickly decrease the cost of your monthly bills. In this article, we will introduce six effective methods that you can immediately implement in your home, which will aid in reducing energy and start saving you money.

Invest in LED Light Bulbs

Throw away those traditional light bulbs and start investing in LED light bulbs. LED light bulbs use up to ninety percent less energy than regular light bulbs and they last ten times longer. LED light bulbs are a simple yet ginormous hack in the home to save money on your electricity bill. LED light bulbs are key when it comes to saving money on electricity and should be installed in every room of your home. Your wallet will thank us later.

Donate Ancient Appliances

Do you have an old TV in your home that no one ever watches? That TV is occupying space in your home and in your bank account. Old appliances that are not being used and remain plugged in are sucking away tremendous amounts of energy. Old appliances and electronics are not worth keeping around. Consider selling, donating, or recycling those energy suckers that will ultimately cut costs in the long run.

Your Home Is Not Properly Insulated

One major complication that can be affecting your home and electricity bill is poor insulation. Drafty attic spaces or windows that need to be updated may be the primary reason why your electricity bill is so high. If your home is not properly insulated, you are essentially throwing money down the drain. As the years go by, make sure that you take the extra precautions to ensure that your home is up to date.

Keeping Windows or Doors Open While the AC Is On

The air conditioner consumes the most energy on an electric bill. If you keep your windows or doors open while the AC is running, you are basically throwing that energy, and cash out the window. If the AC is on, make sure that you keep the windows/doors shut or if the windows/doors are open, make sure the AC is off. You do not want to allow expensive, cold air to go to waste!

Prolonging Charging Time for Devices

The average phone or other electronic device needs about two to three hours to fully charge. Keeping your phone or laptop plugged in all night is not necessary. Charging your electronics all night drains your energy and money. Be cautious of charging times and try not to keep electronics plugged in overnight. This will also help extend the longevity of your device’s battery. This will save money on replacement batteries as well.

When All Else Fails, Call an Electrician

Even after implementing these tips into your home and it still seems that your electricity bill is a bit pricey, it is not a bad idea to have an electrician come and do a routine check up on your home. Sometimes there can be a fault or error within your electrical system that can be causing some drastic issues within your system. You never know what electrical problems can be occurring as we speak, the only way to know for sure is to contact your local electrician. Your electrician will be the most beneficial to saving you loads of money in the long run.

A&H Electric specializes in the installation, repair, and service of all electrical systems in both commercial and residential properties throughout Conroe and the surrounding areas of Texas. We also perform electrical safety inspections. Schedule an appointment with a qualified licensed electrician today at (936) 756-0442.

Home Electrical Equipment Maintenance Tips

Electrical Safety, Energy Saving, Tamper-Resistant Receptacles

Home Electrical Equipment

A homeowner’s to-do list can often seem endless. Clean the gutters. Mow the lawn. Declutter the garage. Deep clean the kitchen and bathrooms. Repair a leaky faucet. Change the HVAC filters. Then, there’s the big one: Maintain the home electrical equipment. Ensuring your home electrical equipment is in good shape can prevent damage, injuries, and high repair costs.

Here are some home electrical equipment maintenance tips.

Install Tamper-Resistant Receptacles

According to the 2008 National Electrical Code® (NEC), power outlets in homes with children are required to have tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs), which are designed to protect them from accidental shock resulting from the insertion of foreign objects. TRRs are UL-listed for safety and reliability. If you don’t already have them, contact a licensed electrician to install tamper-resistant receptacles throughout your home.

Test GFCI Outlets

Short for ground-fault circuit interrupters, GFCI outlets are designed to constantly monitor electricity flow, and instantly “trip” anytime an imbalance is detected. Building codes require GFCI installation in rooms where there is water such as a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and garage.

You will notice two buttons on a GFCI: A red one, which activates the outlet after the built-in breaker is tripped, and a black one that tests it to ensure proper functioning. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends testing these outlets once a month as well as after installation or an electrical power outage.

To test your ground-fault circuit interrupters, plug a lamp into the outlet. Turn the lamp on and press the GFCI’s test button. Did the light go out? If not, the outlet is not working properly, and you should contact a licensed electrician to correct the problem and/or replace the outlet.

Check Weatherstripping

If the weatherstripping around your home’s windows and doors is brittle or cracked, replace it. Weatherstripping helps to reduce drafts as well as block energy loss. You can find several different materials available at most any local hardware or home improvement store. The right one to choose will depend on the style of the window or door. Just cut to size and install according to manufacturer instructions.

Change Your HVAC Filters

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system circulates air throughout your home. Its goal is to ensure the occupant’s thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. HVAC filters are just one of the many components that work in unison with the system. These filters should be changed every 30 to 90 days, depending on your system, and whether you have pets or household members with allergies.

Change Batteries in Detectors

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed for your safety. Ensure they work properly by testing them every month. Change their 9V batteries every six months, or earlier if the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low. Alarms with non-replaceable batteries are designed to remain effective for 10 years. Follow the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines for installation.

Label Your Breaker Box

Labeling the breakers in your breaker box, properly known as the main service panel, will save time for both your and an electrician. You can make nice, neat, black-and-white labels for each breaker with a label maker. Create labels that are easy to read and won’t cause confusion such as “Master Bed.,” “Hall Bath,” and “Laundry Room.” Label breakers that are not connected to anything as “Spare.”

Smart Lighting: Getting Started

Energy Saving, Home Automation Systems, Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Programmable Thermostats, Smart Home

smart lighting

Let there be light! Controlling lights has never been easier than it is today. Smart lighting, whether with bulbs or switches, offers a relatively affordable way to light up your Conroe, Texas home or even, your business. If you’re interested in home automation, installing smart bulbs, smart switches or a combination of both is a great way to get started.

Smart Bulbs

Smart bulbs use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and connected technology, such as Wi-Fi, ZigBee or Bluetooth to provide a degree of control and interactivity that you just can’t get with traditional bulbs. With smart bulbs, you have complete scheduling control, so you can come home to a lit house without leaving your lights on all day. Perfect for energy-efficiency! They can also be programmed to automatically dim or change color; great for setting the mood during date nights.

Smart Switches

Replacing traditional LEDs with smart bulbs isn’t the only way to achieve smart lighting. Smart wall switches connect to your home Wi-Fi and work with several popular home automation platforms. Smart switches can also be controlled via a smartphone whether the switch is on or off, whereas, smart bulbs require the switch to be on always. In addition to controlling the lights, smart switches can control your home appliances and electronics, even if they’re “dumb” devices. You can self-install or, better yet, contact a licensed electrician.

Achieving Ultimate Convenience

Have an Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit device? Look for a compatible smart bulb or switch that allows you to control your lighting with your voice. Of course, you can also turn the bulb on or off by flipping a switch, as well. Some products can also integrate with security cameras, programmable thermostats, and other smart home devices. A home automation hub or bridge may be required.

If This, Then That (IFTTT) helps your apps and devices talk to each other. You can create applets that react in response to certain triggers or commands. For example: You can tell Domino’s pizza delivery app to automatically turn on the porch lights when the pizza is on the way. To date, IFTTT has more than 550 partner services, and millions of users who have created billions of applets.

Curb Your Household Energy Use

A&H Electric, Energy Saving

household energy use

The average home uses a lot of electricity. In fact, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average electricity cost per Texas household is $1,801 annually or around $150 monthly; among the highest in the nation. On average, the typical Texas household uses 41% of their energy on appliances, electronics, and lighting; 19% on water heating; and 18% on air conditioning. Another 22% is used on space heating, making heating and cooling the second to largest expense, at 40%.

Here’s everything you need to know to curb your household energy use.

Monitor Your Electricity Use

To monitor and manage your household’s use of electricity, you only need one tool; an electricity usage monitor that provides electricity data in real-time. For example, the P3 Kill a Watt EZ, displays eight critical units of measure. Simply connect your appliances – supports 110 to 120-volt systems – to the unit to assess the efficiency of that appliance. The large LCD display will count consumption by the kWh, letting you calculate your cumulative electrical expenses and forecast by the day, week or month.

Put a Stop to Energy Vampires

Along with large appliances, which are the main culprits, electronics account for about 41% of home energy use. Even when switched off, they draw as much as 25% of their full power, so it’s a good idea to unplug them when they’re not in use. Power strips and surge protectors can also cut off electricity, on demand, or via a timer. To reduce your standby power loads and save money, consider using ENERGY STAR products, which draw less power when “off” than comparable non-energy-efficient products.

Take it Down a Notch or Two

Water heating accounts for roughly 19% of home energy use. Choosing an ENERGY STAR certified water heater over a standard model can save a family of four more than $3,400 in electricity costs over the water heater’s lifetime. Tankless and on-demand water heaters are both good options to consider. Other ways to save include reducing your water use, employing energy-saving fixtures, and dropping the temperature from 140 degrees to a still-steamy 120 degrees.

Be Smart with Your Thermostat

In Texas, air conditioning accounts for 18% of home energy use; more than double the national average. Installing a programmable thermostat is an easy way to efficiently control the climate in your home. Once programmed, the thermostat works to adjust temperature settings to different, desirable levels during set times throughout the week. For automatic comfort, smart thermostats learn your comings and goings within a week. They can save you up to 10% on cooling and heating costs.

Resolve to Save Energy in 2018

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), Electrical Safety, Energy Saving, Home Automation Systems, Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Programmable Thermostats, Smart Home

save energy

The beginning of a new year provides the perfect opportunity to update your home. When setting goals for your home, it’s a good idea to start by looking at your home’s energy efficiency or possibly, lack of. One goal that is easy to keep and will put money directly back into your wallet is to resolve to save energy.

Here are some ways to save energy in 2018.

Seal any air leaks. Sealing air leaks is a cost-effective way to cut heating and cooling costs, improve system durability, and increase comfort. It can also help to create a healthier indoor environment. The Department of Energy recommends using caulk and/or weatherstripping to seal leaks arounds doors, windows, and where any plumbing or electrical wiring comes through the home’s envelope.

Choose energy-saving lighting. LED lighting doesn’t just use less energy than traditional incandescent lighting, it also lasts up to 25 times longer, and turns on at full brightness almost instantly. LEDs are quite affordable – you can pick up a box of eight for under $20 at your local home improvement or hardware store. LEDs can also be controlled via a smart switch, or if using smart LEDs, a hub.

Install and set a programmable thermostat. It’s no secret that heating and cooling costs account for more than 40% of a home’s energy use. Switching from a manual to a programmable thermostat is one way to save up to 10% a year. The most basic programmable thermostat can be self-installed in under an hour, allowing you to easily set temperature settings for different times of the day. The best programmable thermostats come with a built-in application that can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet allowing you to control and monitor the temperature even when you’re not home.

Use a surge protector for your electronic equipment. Surge protectors (also called surge suppressors) protect your electronic equipment – home theater systems and gaming computers included – from damage in the event of random power spikes or surges. When shopping for a surge protector, it’s a good idea to get one with more outlets than you currently need, so you can add more components later. You can save $100 a year just by plugging your devices into a surge protector and turning it off at night.

Hire a professional to inspect and maintain your electrical system. A certified and licensed electrician will do a comprehensive audit of your entire electrical system, ensuring all wires, systems and components meet legal safety standards. Upon completion of the inspection, you will be provided with a detailed checklist, which includes areas in need of immediate attention and recommendations for improvement. The Electrical Safety Foundation recommends having a professional inspection done:

  • When purchasing a home
  • When a home is past 40 years old
  • When adding or upgrading an appliance
  • When completing major home renovations

Outdoor Holiday Lighting Tips

Electrical Safety, Energy Saving, Holiday
outdoor holiday lighting
Image Courtesy of Pixabay

Make the season really sparkle with outdoor holiday lighting. Here are some tips to get you started.

Holiday Light Planning

Whether decorating your house with one string of lights or multiple, planning is one step you can’t miss. Decide how many lights sets you’ll need by measuring the locations where they will be used. This will likely be along your home’s rooftop and around patios or porches. You can also find net lights for use on bushes and trees. Determine whether you want all white or all color light sets.

Inspect Light Strings

Carefully inspect previously used light strings and extension cords. Frayed or otherwise damaged electrical cords should be responsibly disposed of. There should also be no broken sockets or loose connections. The lights could short out and cause a fire.

Always Choose Weather-Resistant Lights

Any lighting you plan to use outdoors must safely stand up to the elements. Look for holiday lights that are UL-rated for outdoors. The same holds true for extension cords used outdoors. When unpacking last year’s decorations, if you find a set of holiday lights or an extension cord that you aren’t sure is rated for indoor or outdoor use, toss it and buy new ones.

Purchase LED Lights

Incandescent holiday lights are terribly inefficient, and despite careful storage, often emerge damaged. LEDs, while a bit more expensive, are a much better option. They use up to 75% less energy and last 25 times longer. Because they also produce very little heat, they are much safer to use for indoor and outdoor lighting. In addition, up to 25 strings of LEDs can be connected end-to-end, without overloading the socket.

Automate Your Lights

Eliminate the headache of having to remember to turn on and off your holiday lighting displays with a timer or wireless remote control. Keep in mind that you should never leave your lights on while you’re asleep or away from home. Holiday timers are available in a variety of styles, and for a variety of uses (e.g., outdoor or indoor), so it’s a good idea to read the packaging to find the right timer for your specific needs. Most timers are designed for a certain wattage. Make sure you don’t overload yours.

Be Cautious When Installing Lights

Use a good ladder when installing your lights. Also make sure someone is helping you with your display – one person on the ground to hold the ladder steady and the other hanging lights. Secure them with insulated holders (never use tacks or nails). Plug them into ground-fault circuits, which will turn off automatically in event of a short, or spike in power. Consider having your electrical system inspected by a professional electrician in Conroe annually to ensure safety.

Properly Store Holiday Lights

At the end of the season, store your holiday lights using cord holders or make your own using cardboard so that next year you don’t have to spend countless hours untangling them. It’s also a good idea to store them in a well-sealed container to avoid possible water or rodent damage. This will save you money on replacement costs.