The typical American family, according to the US Department of Energy, spend approximately $2,200 annually on utilities. To reduce that cost, many Americans make small changes to their homes. These changes include: turning down their thermostat while they sleep during the winter, turning down their air conditioning while they sleep during the summer, placing dishes into the dishwasher without pre-scrubbing, and turning off the ceiling fan periodically.
Yet these same homeowners who aim to reduce their utility cost are missing a key detail in what could be causing their utility cost to skyrocket: their electrical contractor.
How To Choose The Right Electrical Contractor
Cheap electricity doesn’t have to come with sacrifice. To find the right electrical contractor for you, take the names of a number of contractors and do a comparison. Hiring an electrical contractor is the same as hiring a new employee — you’re looking for someone who can do the job efficiently and do it well.
Therefore, the first thing you should consider when choosing between electrical contractors is their references. Look through projects they’ve done in the past and whether or not their clients were satisfied. Additionally, ask their references questions including:
- What experience does the contractor have?
- What projects did they have done in their house?
- How long did the project take to complete?
- Was the project completed on time?
- Did the contractor arrive on time?
Having an idea about your potential electrical contractor’s background will make you feel more comfortable in your decision to choose them. Additionally, ask previous clients regarding the professionalism, efficiency, and effectiveness of the contractor. References may be able to give you an idea of the person behind the service, but their past clients will give you a clear idea about the service itself and whether it’s worth the contract.
Finally, do an energy comparison between electrical contractors. Electrical contractors are business people and so it’s imperative for you to determine for yourself that you’re getting the best deal. An energy comparison will determine whether your cheap electricity is actually worth it or if your electric utility will end up costing you more in the long run.
Once you’ve done an energy comparison, talked to previous clients, and spoken to references, you’ll be able to determine which electrical contractor is right for your home. And when you’ve gotten the right contractor with the best energy solutions, you can be sure you’ll be happy with your electric utility bill.