Did you know that summer can be one of the busiest seasons for residential electricians in Austin, TX? For many, summer is a wonderful time full of sun, fun, and adventure. Now that the warmer months are in full swing, homeowners and business establishments alike have to deal with the electrical issues that come along with the warmer days.

Brownouts tripped circuit breakers, and skyrocketing electric bills are a common sight. These issues can cause both minor and major annoyances for all involved and keep electricians busy throughout the hotter months of the year.

So what causes these issues? The long and short of it is heat. More specifically, as the summer heats up ACs see much more usage. Having large numbers of households running their units throughout the day and into the late evening can often overwhelm the electrical grid.

This is especially true for warmer climates like Central Texas, where it can easily cross 100 degrees before noon and stay hot deep into the evening. It’s common knowledge amongst those who are from the area, and the idea of surviving summer without the AC running is hard to imagine for those who are from here.

No, we are not going to tell you to stop running your AC. We understand that the temperatures of Central Texas simply don’t allow residents to comfortably exist without these systems being active. However, there are ways that you can make slight changes that will affect your electricity usage and, consequently, your wallet.

Back Off The Baking

Okay, we know that the goal here is to try to keep your life as normal as possible while reducing your electric bill. This may seem like a pretty big change, but the truth is that your oven puts out a great deal of heat. If you are trying to keep your home at a reasonable temperature without breaking the bank, you want to reduce the stress on the system.

Your oven will raise the temperature, and your AC unit will have to activate and use electricity to compensate for the change. You may not even be aware that your system is doing this, but modern AC systems are smarter than they used to be and will often make such automatic changes whenever it detects a temperature change.

So, if you find that you can avoid using appliances that emit heat (like an oven), do so. For an alternative, try cooking outdoors, where the heat output won’t affect your home’s temperature. Summer is already a key time for outdoor cooking, so bring some friends over and fire up the grill. Lowering your electric bill doesn’t have to be all about sacrifices. You can find creative ways to enjoy the time away from AC and enjoy a lower bill at the same time.

Try Air-Drying Your Clothes

Alongside your oven, your dryer is one of the biggest uses of electricity in your home. If you haven’t tried line-drying your clothes, this summer may be the time to try it out. You don’t need a ton of space to hang your clothes out. If you have an outdoor space, even a small patio, you can set up a drying rack.

Time Your Electricity Usage Carefully

If you didn’t know, the timing of your electricity usage can make a difference in your bill. During what is known as peak hours, electricity is more expensive than at other points in the day. The most common peak times are between 1 pm and 7 pm, whereas other hours are considered off-peak. If you can, limit your electricity usage during peak times.

Likewise, utilize off-peak hours to conduct more electricity-heavy activities like cooking and running your washing machine. This may take some practice, but if you can get into this habit you may see positive changes in your electricity bill over time.

Find Creative Ways To Keep Cool

Finally, try to find ways to keep cool that do not include utilizing your AC system. Fans are a classic way to keep cool and allow you to move the system with you as you move through your home. Another is to keep the blinds and curtains in your home closed. This will keep the sun from heating your home and raising the temperature.

There are plenty of ways to DIY your way to a lower electric bill. However, there are times when you may find yourself consistently running up against electrical problems. If you run into one of these situations, it may be time to call a professional to help. 

The Problem Is Consistent Over Time

If you find that the problems that you are experiencing continue to persist over an extended period, it may be time to call in a master residential electrician. While it is understandable to have tripped circuits or minor brownouts during particularly busy hours. However, if there are persistent issues with the breakers or wiring, it’s always best to consult with a professional. 

Outlets or Appliances Are Excessively Hot

Things are getting hotter in general out there, but if your appliances are getting excessively warm or the outlets themselves are hot, then it is time to bring in a licensed electrician. They will be able to assess the situation and determine if there are any serious problems with your electrical system. 

There’s An Unidentified Burning Smell

If you detect what smells like burning plastic, call an Austin emergency electrician immediately. It may indicate that there is something on fire within your electrical system. Electrical issues such as that are extremely dangerous and can even result in electrical fires. If you detect evidence of an electrical fire, do not hesitate to call for an emergency electrician.

At Alpha Team Electric, we do everything we can to ensure that our customers receive the best care possible. Everyone that we work with has our utmost attention and gets the wealth of experience that our master electricians have accumulated over their careers. We’ve helped hundreds of clients in the Austin area keep cool over the summer months, and are happy to help you do the same.

Need a residential electrician? Have issues keeping cool in Austin Texas summer? Connect with our team today and we can help you beat the heat while protecting your electrical system. We can’t wait to work with you!