5 Energy Saving Tips for a Lower Electric Bill

Did you know that the Texas heat could increase your utility costs during the warmer months? Explore these simple energy saving tips to lower your electric bill and help your home become more energy efficient.

Build Strategically

The first step toward maintaining an energy-efficient home is to ensure that it was built to conserve energy from the start. At Perry Homes, we craft our homes with environmentally friendly materials, which is great for both your wallet and the planet.

With our home designs, homeowners never have to worry about drafty windows, leaky roofs or faulty insulation. We strive to maximize energy conservation with every mechanical detail, from the HVAC system to the electrical and plumbing fixtures. With thoughtful construction from our building experts, your home will be well-equipped to handle the elements before you even move in.

Utilize Smart Technology

At Perry Homes, Smart Comes Standard. We outfit every home with all the latest energy-saving technology at no additional cost to you. Here are some features we include to make your life more comfortable, convenient and cost-effective.

• Nest™ Thermostat E: Simply connect your phone to this smart thermostat and control your home’s temperature from anywhere — your bed, the office or even the beach!
• Leviton™ Wi-Fi Light Switch: Control the lighting throughout your home from anywhere with the touch of a button. You can also schedule your lights to turn on or off at specific times of the day to further conserve energy.
• Genie™ Model 3120 Wi- Fi Garage Door: Remotely monitor and control your garage door from almost anywhere at any time. Because this smart device is connected through the award-winning Aladdin Connect system, there is no need for extra, bulky hardware. You can also set your door to automatically close after a set length of time.

These top-of-the-line technologies prove that small details can make a big difference in your home’s energy consumption.

Take Advantage of Natural Light

Keeping your light fixtures on for hours at a time can increase your utility bill. However, Perry Homes’ floor-to-ceiling windows fill your home with ample natural light to brighten up your space, allowing you to keep your light fixtures off most of the day.

Keep in mind, though, that utilizing natural light during the peak hours of sunlight may raise your home’s temperature. So, close your blinds and curtains on the sunny side of your home during the warmer months to create less work for your AC unit.

Choose the Right Temperature

Did you know that for every degree of extra heating or cooling, your energy usage can increase by up to 8 percent? Many experts recommend setting your thermostat to around 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. Ceiling fans can also lower your home’s temperature by up to 4 degrees without any discomfort, so you can set your thermostat higher than you think when it is hot outside and save even more.

Minimize Water Usage

Conserving water is another way to reduce your energy costs. There are many simple things you can do every day to reduce your water usage, such as:

• Use a low-flow showerhead.
• Wash your clothes in cold water.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth.
• Only run your dishwasher if it is full.

These are just a few of the many energy saving tips you can implement to lower your electric bill. Fortunately, each Perry Homes property is built with energy efficiency in mind. Find the move-in ready home of your dreams today!