It is no doubt that every homeowner in Connecticut wants to save money on utilities such as energy due to high CT electricity rates. Since electricity is the most expensive utility in Connecticut, there is a need to conserve energy to save hundreds of dollars.
In this article, we explore eight useful tips that can help Connecticut homeowners reduce their energy consumption and save more money. We’ll also look at the electricity rates in CT and how to choose the best CT electric supplier to save on energy bills.
8 Ways Connecticut Homeowners Can Save Hundreds on Energy
Connecticut homeowners use the most energy on heating, especially during winters when there is too much cold, and end up paying high electric bills. Here are some useful tips to help you save money on electricity in Connecticut.
1. Use a Programmable Thermostat
Did you know that you can save up to 30 percent of electricity on regulating your house temperature using a programmable thermostat? The device allows you to heat and cool your house efficiently. If you set it up, and it will automatically adjust the temperatures.
You can pre-set the smart thermostat to raise or lower heat in your house. Lowering the temperature when nobody is at home or when you are asleep can reduce your energy consumption significantly. You only need to heat your home when you are around.
2. Insulate Your House to Prevent Heat Loss
Insulating your home during winters can help you save money on energy used to heat the house. Uninsulated houses consume a lot of energy to get heated during winters. That is because the heated air escapes through uninsulated surfaces, including the house attic.
You should insulate your house attic and other surfaces that heat can potentially escape through to reduce your energy consumption on heating. Seal the attic hatch using a self-sticking weather-stripping. You can insulate the attic using a pre-made insulating cover.
3. Seal all the Air-Leakage Points
Besides insulating your house attic, you should also seal all the points that heated air can leak through for efficient heating. Some of the leakage points that warm air can potentially escape through include:
- Spaces between the interior walls and the ceiling sheetrock
- Electrical, plumbing, and ductwork on the walls
- Band joist regions on floor system and cantilevered floors
- Joints between existing and additional buildings
- Gaps around doors and windows
If your house has an unfinished basement, check for air leaks along the foundation walls. If there are spider webs around the walls, it means there are leaks that the heated air can escape through. Sealing your house can help you save five percent of energy on heating.
4. Upgrade Your Lighting System
Conventional incandescent bulbs consume much energy as they emit a lot of heat. If you still use such bulbs in your home, consider replacing them with the modern light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs or the compact fluorescent lamps (CFL).
LED and CFL bulbs consume less energy because they emit low heat. Besides, they can last 25 times longer than traditional bulbs. Even as you purchase these modern bulbs, select those that are ENERGY STAR-certified. Always turn off the lights when not in use.
5. Unplug All Appliances Not in Use
Most people are not aware that electric appliances drain trace amounts of electricity when plugged in sockets, even if they are switched off. Unplugging the electrical devices that are not in use can help you five percent of your electricity bill.
It’s no doubt that unplugging all electrical appliances in your home can be quite tiresome, necessitating the need for a more efficient system like the power strips. Advanced power strips can automatically switch off your electronics and cut the power running them.
6. Run Electric Appliances during Off-Peak Hours
You can save hundreds of dollars in a year when you use large electric appliances during off-peak hours when electric rates in CT are low. The energy rates are usually very high during peak hours because many people use electricity at that time.
What time of the day is electric rates cheapest in Connecticut? Electric prices are usually affordable in the evening after 8 pm and early in the morning before 8 am. Few people utilize electricity during that time, reducing the energy rates by a significant percentage.
7. Clean and Maintain Your HVAC System Frequently
Heating or cooling your house with a poorly managed HVAC system consumes a lot of energy. If your HVAC has dirty air filters, its efficiency reduces significantly. Dirty air filters slow down airflow, forcing the equipment to function harder to maintain temperature.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, you should clean its dirty air filters once every three months. You should clean the air conditioner more regularly during winters and summers when you use them mostly.
8. Save on Hot Water
There are many ways to save on electricity-heated water. To conserve hot water, you can ask your house technician to install low-flower showerheads and faucet aerators. Also, you should insulate your hot water pipes to reduce the energy used in heating water.
Another way to save energy on hot water is by skipping the heating cycle when using a washing machine or dishwasher. You can use cold water to wash clothes, and they will be clean. Also, dry washed utensils with a towel cloth instead of electric-generated heat.
What You Need to Know about Connecticut Electricity Rates
CT electricity rates are one of the highest in the United States. On average, Connecticut residents pay around 17.34 cents per kWh on electricity, which ranks the state 4th in the country. It’s higher than the U.S. average residential electric rate of 11.88 cents per kWh.
Since the average energy rate CT is higher than the national average by 45.96 percent, residents end up paying high electric bills. The CT average electricity bill for residential consumers is $127 per month, higher than the U.S. average by 18.69 percent.
Residential electricity rates are generally higher than commercial and industrial electricity rates. The average commercial electricity rate in CT is 14.65 cents per kWh, while that of industrial consumers is at 12.67 cents per kWh.
Connecticut Electricity Companies and Power Suppliers
Two utility companies and several electricity suppliers distribute power in Connecticut. It’s the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) who oversees their activities. The utility companies include Eversource and United Illuminating (UI) Company.
Eversource distributes energy in most parts of Connecticut because it’s the largest energy company in the state. It delivers both electric utility services and natural gas to different consumers. It also operates in other states like Massachusetts.
The United Illuminating Company, on the other hand, transmits and distributes power to New Haven and Bridgeport regions, with its headquarters located in Orange, CT.
Besides the electric utility companies, some of the electric suppliers in CT include:
- Constellation Energy
- Direct Energy
- Clearview Energy
- Spark Energy
How to Select the Best Electricity Providers in CT
The best electricity supplier offers cheap electricity plans and favorable terms of service. To find the lowest electric rates in CT, you need to compare electric rates in CT because different energy suppliers offer different rates and terms of services.
You can check out electricrate.com for residential electricity rate comparison in your area. Select a company that offers not only the cheapest power plans but also the most convenient and reliable services. That will help you save hundreds of dollars on energy.
Final Words
If you want to save hundreds or thousands of dollars on electricity, you should not wait any longer. You should prioritize all the energy-saving practices mentioned above before looking for other ways to save money in your home. But since electricity is the costliest utility cost in Connecticut, you should first opt for the lowest CT electricity rates.
