The High-Altitude Electrical Audit: How to Find Hidden Energy Waste and Lower Your Colorado Springs Utilities Bill
In Colorado Springs, we are used to dramatic temperature swings and the challenges of high-altitude living. While we worry about snow and sun damage, many homeowners overlook an invisible expense: electrical inefficiency. Your home is likely leaking money through hidden energy drains that add up quickly on your Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) bill.
A professional electrical audit—or even a strategic DIY check—is the first step toward reclaiming that wasted energy. Here is your guide to finding and fixing the biggest culprits of electrical waste in a high-altitude home.
1. The Phantom Power Drain
This is the most deceptive waste of all. Phantom power, or "vampire load," is the electricity consumed by appliances and devices even when they are turned off or in standby mode. Think of things with digital clocks, remote sensors, or power bricks.
Where to Find It: Check your cable boxes, charging docks (even if nothing is plugged in), kitchen appliances with displays, and computers.
The Fix: Invest in power strips for your entertainment centers and home offices. Turn off the strip when not in use. For items that must stay on (like a router), ensure they are plugged directly into a stable, grounded outlet.
2. Overworked and Outdated Electrical Panels
Your electrical panel is the heart of your home’s power system. Older panels, especially 100-amp panels common in mid-century homes, may struggle to handle the modern load from A/C units, electric stoves, and multiple chargers. This struggle can manifest as inefficiency.
The Sign: Constantly tripping breakers, warm breakers, or flickering lights when a major appliance starts up.
The Fix: Schedule an electrical panel evaluation. Upgrading to a modern 200-amp panel not only increases safety but also provides cleaner, more efficient power distribution, reducing strain and energy loss.
3. Hidden Air Leaks in Electrical Penetrations
While insulation is key, every wire, cable, and pipe that penetrates your walls is a potential air leak. In a climate with hot summers and freezing winters, these small gaps—especially around exterior wall outlets and switches—allow conditioned air to escape and unconditioned air to rush in.
The Sign: Feeling a slight draft near an outlet cover on an exterior wall.
The Fix: Use cheap, readily available foam gaskets cut to fit behind your outlet and switch plates on exterior walls. For larger holes where wiring enters the wall, apply an approved fire-rated caulk or foam sealant.
4. Poorly Wired Heating and Cooling Systems
In Colorado Springs, our HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) units are our biggest energy users. If the dedicated circuits for your furnace or air conditioner were improperly sized or have loose connections, the system has to work harder, pulling excessive amperage and wasting energy.
The Sign: Your A/C unit seems to run constantly without cooling adequately, or your electric furnace cycles inefficiently.
The Fix: Have an electrician verify the wiring gauge and connections to your large HVAC units. This simple check ensures your most expensive systems are running at peak electrical efficiency.
5. Inefficient Lighting Choices
This one seems obvious, but the cost of outdated lighting adds up fast, especially with Colorado's shorter winter days. Traditional incandescent bulbs convert over 90% of the energy they use into heat—not light.
The Sign: High electric usage for lighting alone, or light fixtures that burn out frequently.
The Fix: Immediately replace all incandescent bulbs with Energy Star-rated LED bulbs. LED technology uses up to 80% less energy and lasts exponentially longer, often paying for themselves within a year. Consider installing dimmers, as these also help control energy consumption.
The Takeaway: Your Efficiency Action Plan
An electrical audit is not just about safety; it’s a direct path to savings. By addressing these five hidden areas, you not only make your home safer but also put money back in your pocket.
Contact American Electrician. We can perform a full evaluation of your panel, circuits, and high-demand systems to ensure your home is prepared for both high-altitude conditions and maximum electrical efficiency.
