Longtime electrician offers tips on how to lower your electric bill

Paul Nordberg of Nordberg Electric in Cambridge knows how frustrating it can be to see a sudden rise in your electric bill. As an third-generation electrician, Nordberg is happy to share what he’s learned through years of experience.

Customers who get a rude shock when they open their electric bill ask whether the meter could have failed. Nordberg’s answer: no. If a meter fails, it moves slower not faster, resulting in a lower bill versus a higher one. “There’s no trick or slight of hand,” stated Nordberg. “If there’s a big spike in your power, you used it.” It happens at his own house every time his college-aged children come home. More people in the house equates more power being used. December is also sure to bring on a higher bill because of the lights decorating the inside and outside.

If you weren’t expecting an increase, Nordberg recommends checking to see if something was left on that shouldn’t have been, like the oven. Make sure items get shut off when you’re done using them. Some people keep their furnace fan on all the time to even out the heat. But even that small fan draws power and pushes up electric use.

To lower your bill, Nordberg advises taking a hard look at your appliances. “That old fridge in the basement is an electric killer,” he noted. “Appliances by their very nature are expensive to run.” Consider replacing it with a newer appliance as they are more energy-efficient to run. Replace lightbulbs with CFLs. Although they cost more to purchase, they last longer and use up less energy. Evaluate whether it’s time for a new furnace or water heater. Programable thermostats can be a wise investment, as well.

When you hire an electrician, be sure to check whether he is licensed and insured. Get references. As it is with any other business out there, those with loyal customers are a sign that the owner is doing something right. Nordberg is proud of the fact that it was his grandfather and father who started Nordberg Electric back in 1946. “We must have done something right,” he observed.

His favorite thing about the job is making service calls. “I enjoy problem solving,” remarked Nordberg. “The customer has a problem, you can fix it and everybody is happy.”

To contact Nordberg Electric, call 763-689-1322 or stop by 127 S. Buchanan St. (behind Casey’s) in Cambridge.