You might think that there's not a whole lot that you can personally do to save money on your energy bill. After all, you need to shower, cook, use the lights at night and wash and dry your clothes -- all which take up electrical energy. You might be surprised to learn that there are small things that you can do to help save energy at home and in the process save money on your electric bill. 

1. Pack more efficiently

You pack more than just clothes for your next vacation. You also pack items into your freezer and refrigerator. Much like improper packing for your vacation will leave you with less room, not packing your refrigerator and freezer the right way can wind up using more energy. 

In general, a full refrigerator and freezer are more energy efficient. The more empty space there is in these appliances, the more space warm air has to replace each time you open the door. 

If you don't want to keep your freezer and refrigerator full of food, containers with water can be a great substitute. You can also try keeping the most used items by the door. 

2. Watch out for vampire power

Is your home a haven for vampire power? Vampire power, also called standby power, among other names, refers to the power that appliances used when they are plugged in but in standby mode or turned off. Some examples of common culprits of vampire power include televisions, computers and chargers for cell phones and other electronics. 

Put bigger electronics, such as computers and televisions, on power strips and get into the habit of flipping them off when you're finished with them. Unplug smaller electronics and your chargers when you aren't using them. Plugging up unused outlets helps stop the leakage of outside air into your home. 

3. Schedule a home audit

Nearly all homeowners want to save energy but few think that their home is a bastion of energy efficiency. An energy audit by a professional energy auditor can pinpoint the problem areas in your home and provide affordable ways to address them. Paying for the weatherization of your home can be expensive upfront. The long term energy savings as well as any tax breaks offered by the government can help you pay for it. 

You may not know it, but an electrician can actually take care of more than just electrical problems. If you have moved into a new home or want to add an additional phone line or another line for your cable television, you can call an electrician to take care of it for you. You don’t have to rely on several different people to get the job done. An electrician in Santa Monica can take care of all your cable needs as well as any electrical you may have. The Electric Connection would love to get you up and running.

Many people are unaware an electrician can handle some of these jobs and are forced to rely on the cable or telephone company. Because there are fewer technicians that work for those companies, your wait times can be extensive and there is not much competition to drive down the prices. Calling an electrician can make your life easier and help you get what you need when you want it.

Electricians are familiar with running electrical wire, which is essentially the same as data and phone cable lines. Skilled professionals will know just how to handle your installation and can make sure there is no interference with your home or business’s current Santa Monica electrical system. You can count on the electrician to run the phone, cable or data lines neatly and most importantly, the right way! An electrician will have the skill and knowledge needed to run the lines in the most efficient way possible. The last thing you want is cable running all over the walls and floors.

There are a few things you should look for when hiring an electrician to complete a job for you. When they show up to your home or business, they should be wearing a clean uniform, be friendly and maintain a neat work area. Give The Electric Connection a call today and we can get your data lines installed.

A smart thermostat is an upgrade from the standard controls of a heating and cooling system. These digital devices are programmable, adjusting the temperature up or down according to the time of day, but what really sets them apart is their wireless connectivity. You can control a smart thermostat remotely through the Internet with a smartphone, tablet or computer. Once your thermostat is installed, they’re easy to use, efficient and give you data that helps you save money.

It’s happened to nearly everyone. You come home and your heating or cooling system is running even though the house has been empty for hours. With a smart device controlling your furnace and air conditioner, you avoid this wasteful situation. Set your HVAC controls to mesh with your weekday and weekend routines. If you get up everyday at 6 a.m., program the thermostat to feel comfortable as you wake up. When you leave for work a couple of hours later, your furnace will adjust to the temperature of your choice.

Controlling your thermostat remotely with a smartphone is especially helpful if you have a change in schedule. If you come home early, adjust the heating or cooling system on route with a phone or tablet. Your home will progress to a comfortable temperature in time for your arrival. Abrupt changes in temperature waste energy, so resetting your thermostat remotely for a gradual change is economical.

Smart thermostats give you a lot of data in real time, allowing you to monitor energy use and approximate costs. Once you take a look at your habits, you might find ways to fine-tune them. Some thermostats also have apps that guide you to the most economical settings.