When the Texas heat kicks in, your electric bill often follows and not in a good way. But what if your home could work smarter, not harder? With a few simple smart upgrades, you can lower your energy usage, reduce waste, and stay comfortable all summer long.
At Top Notch Electrician, we help homeowners turn energy guzzling homes into efficient, tech-savvy spaces. Here’s how you can start saving money without sacrificing comfort.
Why Summer Electric Bills Spike
From June through August, homes in North Texas often experience:
- Constant air conditioner use
- More time indoors = more electronics running
- Outdoor lighting, fans, and entertainment systems
- Longer days and rising temps = increased energy strain
Add in aging appliances or outdated wiring, and you’re likely using more power than you realize. That’s where smart devices come in.
Top Smart Upgrades That Actually Save You Money
1. Smart Thermostat: Your thermostat controls up to 50% of your energy usage. A smart thermostat learns your schedule and adjusts automatically.
Benefits:
- Set temp schedules for when your home, away, or asleep
- Control it from your phone even while on vacation
- Some models even adjust based on local weather
- Savings: Up to 15% off your cooling costs
2. Smart Plugs
Plug in lamps, coffee makers, fans, or game consoles and use your phone to control when they turn on and off.
Why it helps:
- Cuts off “phantom load” power from idle devices
- Prevents devices from staying on when not needed
- Ideal for rooms used only at night or on weekends
3. Smart Light Switches and Bulbs
LED smart bulbs and switches help you schedule lighting by time of day, motion, or app control.
Use smart lighting to:
- Turn off lights automatically when a room is empty
- Dim lights to reduce wattage
- Control outdoor and patio lighting without leaving them on all night
4. Energy Monitoring Smart Panels or Meters
Want to know what’s really draining power? Some smart panels or energy monitors show a real-time breakdown of usage by circuit. You’ll know whether it’s your fridge, AC, or office equipment driving your bill up. This is especially helpful for homeowners with:
- Pools or hot tubs
- Guest suites or ADUs
- Home offices or server equipment
Other Smart Habits That Lower Your Bill
Smart devices help, but smart usage is just as important. Start with these habits:
- Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air (and raise the thermostat 2–3 degrees)
- Close blinds during peak sun hours to reduce heat gain
- Stagger appliance use (don’t run washer, dryer, and oven all at once)
- Unplug chargers and electronics when not in use or use smart plugs to do it automatically
Smart Doesn’t Mean Complicated
Most smart upgrades:
- Can be installed quickly
- Are affordable and scalable (start with one room, expand later)
- Can be controlled through apps, voice assistants, or automations
- Work even better when installed by a licensed electrician for full integration and safety
At Top Notch, we’ll walk you through the best options for your home, budget, and lifestyle and we’ll make sure everything is wired and configured correctly from day one.
Save Now, Stay Cool All Summer
With the right smart home energy upgrades, you can stay comfortable without dreading your utility bill. Whether you need a smart thermostat installed, smart plugs configured, or your lighting automated, we’re here to help you get more from every kilowatt. Let’s Lower That Summer Bill. Call 972 397 8646 or visit www.topnotchelectrician.com to schedule your electrical inspection and upgrade today.