Temperatures are falling rapidly, and some regions of the country have already seen snow. With winter settling in, renters and homeowners are cranking up their thermostats to stay warm and cozy while bracing themselves for a big bump in utility bills due to heating costs. Savvy consumers looking for a way to save money without sacrificing comfort might ask: Can I cut down on my winter heating budget if I lower the thermostat and make up the difference with an electric space heater?

Fuel Matters

Savings are possible, though, no matter what kind of central heat you have. According to Grist magazine, if you are using a space heater for less than one half to one third of your living space, and you lower the temperature on your thermostat for the rest of it, you can save money even if your main heater is an efficient gas model. So if your family spends most of its winter indoor time in just a few rooms of the house, go ahead and experiment with a portable heater and see if you can reduce your bills.

For even more savings, don't forget to take other steps to winterize your home, like sealing any drafty areas and hanging heavy curtains. Wear a sweater, too, so you can minimize the amount of time you need the extra boost in warmth from your heater.

Finally, avoid kerosene heaters if at all possible. They pose a greater fire hazard than electric models and can affect your indoor air quality. If they are your only option, take extra care to comply with the safety instructions. Only refuel outside and be sure the indoor space where it is used is properly ventilated. Some kerosene heaters are even illegal in certain areas, so be sure to check your local laws before you buy.

The federal Energy Star program does not rate portable heaters, but the Energy Department does provide more information about specific types of space heaters.

Your local Mister Sparky® electrician is always available to help with advice on choosing and using your space heater safely.

Commercial buildings such as ones that house a large number of offices also consume a significant amount of electricity. Most businesses look for ways and means of saving electricity and making their premises more energy-efficient. There are numerous ways in which you can optimise energy-efficiency on your commercial premises.

For instance you can install high grade insulation, install energy-efficient windows and doors, get blinds, drapes and curtains; and use UV-resistant glass film on the window panes etc. While all of these are important aspects, it’s also very important that you incorporate some cost-saving electrical solutions for your commercial building, such as:

Most people try various energy- saving methods in an effort to reduce their utility bills, but one of the simplest ways of lowering your energy usage is to make the most of natural light. This process of allowing the sun’s rays to light up indoor spaces is referred to as daylighting. It can help reduce your buildings energy requirements, while also improving the health & productivity of your employees.

If you’re considering the purchase of an electric car, good for you! You're doing your part to reduce the nation's reliance on oil and cut down on fossil fuel emissions, and you get to drive around in style to boot. But with many newer models, you’ll need to set up a charging station in your own home garage. Public charging stations are not widely available, and nothing beats the convenience of having a power source right outside your door. With an electrician's help, you can install a charging station on your property and get your car up to speed quickly. Read on for some tips on how to get started.

Expand Your Range

New, affordable electric cars (those that cost around $30,000) top out at ranges between 60 and 90 miles before they need to be recharged. That doesn't do you much good for a cross-country road trip, but it should be more than enough for the average daily commute. If you can plug it in overnight, you should be good to go the next day.

Technically speaking, the charger for an electric vehicle is found in the car itself, and the box you install to provide the electricity is called the Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE). The EVSE puts out 240-volt alternating current, and the charger in the car converts it to direct current to replenish the battery. Note that you can plug into a standard 110 volt outlet for some cars, but it will take 18 hours or more to fully charge them, making it impractical for daily use.

Pick Your Charging Spot

An EVSE can cost anywhere from $500 to $1000 or more, depending on what model you need, plus installation fees. More expensive models have higher amp ratings and can charge the car faster, generally speaking – some can get you ready to go in as little as three hours. The box needs to be placed within 15-25 feet of where you park your car so you can reach it with the charging cable.

Before you start the installation process, have an electrician evaluate the state of your wiring and circuit box – some older homes may not be able to handle charging a car without a significant electrical system upgrade. If everything checks out, the electrician can hardwire the EVSE or, alternatively, install a 240 volt outlet, similar to what you use for an electric oven or clothes dryer. The second option gives you more flexibility to move your charging station in the future, although outdoor installations usually require hardwiring.

The Code of an Electrician

To read up on the specific rules about how the EVSE needs to be installed, check out National Electrical Code Article 625 – your local building code likely has the same or similar regulations. For more help evaluating the suitability of your home for an electric car charging station, contact a local electrician today.

Take advantage of Custom Electrical Services and there partnership with MidAmerican EnergyAdvantage® Trade Ally Partner program.  Receive a free in business assessment on your current lighting.  Let us do the leg work and show you the HUGE savings.  Take advantage of the most current rebates available for your business.  Go green and receive some green at the same time!  LED is here to stay so start saving today!

LED lighting (Light Emitting Diode) is dramatically more efficient than standard fluorescent lighting.  With T12 fluorescent lamps drawing as much as 40 watts per lamp, LED lamps currently can draw as little as 18 watts per lamp.  That’s over a 50% reduction in energy when compared to a standard T12 lamp!  Not only do you get a 50% reduction in energy cost you can save on cooling cost too!  When replacing LED lamps with standard incandescent, high pressure sodium, and mercury vapor lights the new LED lamps DRAMATICALLY reduce the amount of heat produced.

Not only does the LED lamp save you money in energy cost you can also reduce your maintenance cost!  Currently LED lamps can last as much as 50,000 hours which is a much longer life span when compared to a standard lamp.  Paying a maintenance worker to change lamps can be expensive.  Especially for hard to reach areas that require large ladders or specialized equipment to reach the lamp needing replaced.  Even worse is having unqualified staff change your lamps.  Having unqualified people perform this task can lead to electrical shock, falls, or other injuries.

Contact us today and start saving!  Custom Electrical Services will come to your business and perform a free no obligation assessment.  We have replaced THOUSANDS of fluorescent lamps with the new LED in and around the Des Moines area the past year alone.  Businesses are starting to notice the advantages of LED and the amount of volume has gone up dramatically since!  Call today and schedule your assessment and take advantage of our MidAmerican EnergyAdvantage® Trade Ally Partnership.Thank you and look forward to hearing from you soon!