It’s summer in Clark County, and temperatures could possibly be soaring. However, Nevadans should see a dip in their energy bills under an NV Energy rate decrease that took effect last month.
The overall decrease of 4 percent for residential, commercial, and industrial customers reflects a decline in the utility’s costs associated with fuel and purchased power for electricity generation. All costs for fuel and purchased power are passed on directly to consumers, as are any savings.
What can the average consumer do to rein in the cost?
You can adjust the thermostat up in the summer (or take it down in the winter). Keep your shutters or shades closed on hot days. Use a ceiling fan to keep the air moving. Convert to low-wattage LED lighting.
Don’t wait for the weather to change.
Energy experts say consumers were just beginning to catch on to the idea of upgrading their homes when big heating and cooling bills occurred in the winter and summer months.
Get an energy audit
Before you go through an energy-efficiency project, have a professional energy assessment of your house. Most utilities will offer discounted assessments from a certified auditor.
A walk-through energy assessment will recommend areas that need insulation, such as in the attic or crawl space, weather stripping and sealing opportunities, and lighting, appliances, or heating and ventilation systems that are in need of repair or replacement.
Seal up that thermal envelope.
Experts say the best way to reduce energy costs is to reduce the leakage of air from inside a home by adding insulation and by filling cracks — otherwise known as sealing a home’s thermal envelope.
Buy high-efficiency systems.
If your current air-conditioning or heating system is old and inefficient, it may also be worth the expense of replacing the system with newer, high-efficiency models.
Keep in mind that whether you are interested in buying a home or selling a home, a Realtor should represent you—this person is working for your benefit and will help you navigate through the buying or selling process. We have celebrated selling both New and Resale Homes for over thirty years.
We are here to answer any questions you might have—just email Jennifer@smithteamlasvegas.com.
Thank you, and have a wonderful day.
