Famously referred to as the ‘Land of Enchantment,’ New Mexico is generally a great place to live. It boasts of one of the most picturesque landscapes, affordable living, and a history that would make other states envious.
New Mexico is also the second sunniest state and bathes in the glory of warm, sunny weather for 300 days every year. What’s even better is that, while it boasts an affordable cost of living, it’s possible to lower the cost even more by reducing your energy bill. You can do so by taking advantage of New Mexico solar tax credits and trying out the tips outlined below.
1. Conduct an Energy Audit
You use more energy in some areas of your home than others. It’s hard to figure out which areas they are; it may be just by guesswork. In that light, consider requesting an energy audit from your utility company in New Mexico.
The audit will help you figure out the culprit behind your energy bills so you can work out ways to reduce the amount of energy used up and reduce your overall bill. These audits are, in most cases, free. So, you will not have to worry about additional costs.
2. Take Note of How You Use Laundry Machines
If not monitored, laundry machines can cause your energy bill to skyrocket. If you’ve not been paying attention to how your kids do laundry, then this is probably the reason why your last bill was so high.
Luckily, reducing energy costs associated with laundry machines is pretty straightforward. Instead of using heated water, always use a cold wash. You must air dry instead of using the machine drier.
If you must use the machine to dry your clothes, then measure your load as stuffing it up prevents it from drying everything efficiently. Also, most power companies in New Mexico offer discounts during less busy hours, such as from 8:00 pm — if you can consider doing your laundry at that time.
3. Replace the Air Filter
The air filter on the HVAC system traps dust, bugs, lint, and other debris often, allowing the circulation of clean, fresh air. If it’s dirty or worn out, it forces your HVAC system to work twice as hard to do its job, which means it uses up more energy. Ensure you check it or call in experts to perform routine maintenance checks and repairs.
4. Switch From Electricity to Solar
If you live in New Mexico, you can save yourself all the trouble mentioned above by switching to solar. Besides, you have every reason to make the change. Why? Well, New Mexico is among the sunniest states, which means you don’t have to worry about performance if you switch to solar.
Moreover, as a way to encourage more people to make the transition, the state boasts some of the best incentives in America. For instance, through the New Mexico solar tax credits, anyone who switches to solar within 2020 will enjoy 26% tax credits on installation. Therefore, transitioning to solar is affordable in all ways as installation costs are low, and you get to reduce, or even eliminate your energy bill.
5. Fill up Your Fridge and Freezer
Your fridge and freezer are also significant contributors to a high energy bill. To reduce the amount they contribute to your bill, ensure you not only close the refrigerator but keep it full. Why? Well, when it’s adequately stocked, the snacks, veggies, and meat you put in there help insulate it.
This keeps the food fresh and also reduces the energy that the appliance would have used to maintain the optimum temperature. Also, set your refrigerator at 30-degrees and the freezer at 5-degrees.
The money you spend on your energy bill can be spent on other essential responsibilities and entertainment if you follow the above tips. Alternatively, you can eliminate the bill completely by taking advantage of New Mexico solar tax credits and going the solar way.
