Learn how to reduce costs and your carbon footprint with help from A1A Solar

Each month, you barely glance at your electricity bill. With all those numbers indicating kilowatt-hours and generation and transmission charges, who understands this bill anyway? Instead, you just silently gripe about the total cost, vow to reduce your usage next month and pay the darn bill.

Energy costs seem to increase every year. It’s vital to be aware of what you’re charged for, keep up with changes affecting the energy industry and know your options. You should also learn more about how rooftop solar panels may help to significantly reduce your energy costs.

What do the charges and terms mean on your electricity bill?

The more you know about your utility bill, the more you can take back some control.

kWh – This stands for kilowatt-hour. It’s a measure of how much electricity your household uses. A kilowatt-hour equals the amount of electricity used by ten 100-watt lights left on for one hour.

Conservation charge – If your household uses more than 2,700 kWh during a billing period, you may be charged extra to encourage conservation efforts.

Demand charge – Most companies charge based on the rate at which their system delivers electric energy, averaged over a designated period during the billing cycle.

Distribution charge – Utility companies such as the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) and Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) include a monthly fee to cover costs for the local equipment they use to deliver electricity from high voltage transmission lines and to reduce the voltage enough for you to use in your home.

System improvement charge – You pay this monthly to help offset the costs of improving, replacing and repairing any of the equipment needed to supply electricity to your home.

Taxes and fees – In addition to paying for your electricity usage, there are also numerous taxes and fees on your bill, such as a state gross receipts tax and a city franchise fee.

What can you do about high electricity prices?

1. Clean the lint filter on your dryer after every load.

A dirty lint filter causes your dryer to work harder to dry your clothes, which wastes energy.

2. Get in the habit of checking for wasted energy usage each night before bed.

Family members may leave lights and devices on inadvertently, so remember to turn these off. Even something simple like unplugging the cable box every night can save money.

3. Insulate your home properly. 

If you have cracks and leaks around windows, doors and pipes, you might as well be shoving money through them.

4. Look for energy efficiency programs.  

Many states and cities offer rebates and discounts for actions such as refrigerator recycling, purchasing economical and ecological cooling equipment and switching to LED lighting.

5. Invest in rooftop solar panels. 

With rooftop solar, you’ll see savings on your energy bill almost immediately. In addition to helping your household, it also helps the planet. Find an installation company you can trust, like A1A Solar, and start reaping the benefits for yourself.

About A1A Solar

Founded in 2010, A1A Solar is the No. 1 solar installer in Florida. We are certified as an NABCEP solar installer and licensed as a state electrical contractor for thermal and technical sales. A1A Solar was named Veteran-Owned Business of the Year 2016 and voted as one of the Best Places to Work in Jacksonville 2016. To learn more, visit our Solar 101 resources page today.