January is a time when the electric bill has a way of getting out of hand. You would be hard pressed not to notice the winter heating expenses taking a toll on your budget, and one has to ask if the electrical system in the home is working for you or against you.
At Henninger Electric we have been putting those questions to rest for families in the Cedar Valley since 1995. This winter we can show you how to put some cost back in your pocket. For a discussion of your options, pick up the phone and speak with our team at (319) 419-7930.
There is no question that Iowa winters are hard on an electrical system. The days are short so the lights are on more; the cold sees your furnace blower and space heaters in constant use. In Cedar Falls, Waterloo and the towns around them, there are plenty of older homes with wiring and equipment that were never intended to cope with the rigours of a modern winter.
Yet some well chosen upgrades will change that equation. We outline below how an improvement to your electricals can mean less energy used and more money left over.
Lighting: A Greater Impact in the Winter
With the sun down before 5 p.m. you are using your lights more than at any other point in the year. An old bulb will put out as much heat as light and waste the energy. Make the switch to a contemporary LED fixture and you will have better, cleaner light for those dark evenings and a marked reduction in what it costs to run them.
Some things to think about with your lighting:
- Put in LEDs in place of halogen or incandescent
- Use dimmers to put a check on power consumption
- Motion sensors for the entryway, garage or basement
- Better outdoor fixtures for winter safety and efficiency
- Timers to ensure the lights are not on any longer than they need to be
Over the course of a long Iowa winter these minor adjustments make for a big difference in the end.
The True Cost of an Old Electrical Panel
If the panel is undersized or worn out it is not going to put out power efficiently. You will have tripped breakers and flickering lights to show for it. All too often a homeowner is unaware of the problem until it becomes one. But an old panel will hamper the performance of the very systems you need for warmth. To get a handle on the loads of today a repair or replacement is called for.
Decades may have passed since your home was put up and the original panel is still in place. It could do with a professional’s eye.
Surge Protection for Your Investment
In Black Hawk County and environs you will see your share of power fluctuations and winter storms. One surge is all it takes to put an end to good appliances and electronics and the tab for new ones mounts fast.
Whole-home protection is a sensible way to look after your heating controls and the like. It spares you from having to shell out for premature replacements and is an upgrade that will be repaid over time.
A Generator When the Power Fails
Ice and wind are part and parcel of a Cedar Valley winter and outages come with the territory. No power means no heat. With a generator in place your home continues to operate in an outage, safeguarding your pipes and your comfort.
It may not be an efficiency measure per se but it staves off the kind of expense a cold-weather outage can bring, be it frozen pipes or food that has to be thrown out. Most would say the peace of mind is worth it.
What makes us the choice of Cedar Valley homeowners
We have been in this community for decades and we know what an Iowa winter puts on a home. Our record speaks for itself:
- We are licensed and insured
- Work is backed by a 100% guarantee
- Free estimates to put your costs in perspective
- Financing is available
- An A+ with the BBB
- “Best of the Best” according to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
- Emergency service when you need it
Terry Henninger started the company in 1995, now under the ownership of Wayne and Jasmine Gaston we are active in Evansdale, Hudson, Waverly, Independence and throughout the region.
There is no reason to let the winter deplete your finances. Proper electrical work will see to it that you are comfortable and your home is protected. We are here to help you save, Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. Contact Henninger Electric at (319) 419-7930 for an estimate.
