How To Lower Your Electric Bill

  • April 21, 2009
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Many ways to help the environment are costly, but using less electricity is one measure that will save you money.

You Will Need

  • Awareness of how you’re wasting electricity
  • Self-discipline
How To Lower Your Electric Bill: Turn it off

Step 1: Turn it off

Get in the habit of turning things off when you leave a room. That means not just the lights, but every appliance that’s not in use: the TV, the radio, the computer, the cable box, the coffeemaker—everything!

How To Lower Your Electric Bill: Switch to CFBs

Step 2: Switch to CFBs

Replace all bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent bulbs. They’re more expensive, but they pay off in the long run by using 75 percent less energy and lasting ten times longer than incandescent bulbs.

See if your electric company offers free energy audits, where an official comes to your home and shows you ways to cut down on your usage.

How To Lower Your Electric Bill: Keep fridge closed

Step 3: Keep fridge closed

Don’t be one of those people who open the refrigerator door and stares around like they’re looking at the Mona Lisa. Every time the door is opened, up to 30 percent of the cold air is released.

Check your refrigerator seal by putting a dollar bill in the door; if you can pull it out, the seal needs replacing.

How To Lower Your Electric Bill: Cover leftovers

Step 4: Cover leftovers

Cover all the liquids and foods you put in the refrigerator. Exposed food gives off moisture, which makes your refrigerator work harder.

How To Lower Your Electric Bill: Wash and dry prudently

Step 5: Wash and dry prudently

Don’t run the washing machine or dishwasher unless you have a full load of laundry. Don’t wash clothes or towels until they’re really dirty, and, when you can, hang your wet laundry on racks or out on the line to dry.

How To Lower Your Electric Bill: Use AC wisely

Step 6: Use AC wisely

Set your air-conditioner to 78 degrees, and don’t start off on “high”—it won’t cool down the place any faster.

To keep the air conditioner running efficiently, clean the filter every month.

How To Lower Your Electric Bill: Banish plants

Step 7: Banish plants

Put indoor plants outside in the summer; they put moisture into the air that makes the AC work harder.

How To Lower Your Electric Bill: Make home more energy efficient

Step 8: Make home more energy efficient

Make your home more energy efficient. Try to get rid of air leaks, and look into covering your old water heater with an insulated blanket.

More than $13 billion worth of energy leaks through holes and cracks in houses every year—that’s more than $150 of wasted energy per family.

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Comments (6)

cmemove

don't forget those large or small flat panel TVs

over 2 years ago by cmemove

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HeatherM

Nice shooting and nice location!

over 2 years ago by HeatherM

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totalpower

The kids are always leaving on lights - What can I do? A simple solution is to install motion activated switches. These devices are self-timed and can be adjusted for length of operation. The devices can replace wall switches or can be installed in the ceiling. TotalPowerElectric

about 1 year ago by totalpower

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mjr1604

You can buy those switches that turn on the lights when there's movement in the room

11 months ago by mjr1604

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totalpower

thanks for saving the environment ! but be careful if you plan to fix things yourself.......TotalPowerElectric

about 1 year ago by totalpower

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mjr1604

How about those sun light blocking curtains? They obstruct the sun light from entering through the windows therefore making any room hotter and having your AC run more. They also work as insulators during the winter.

11 months ago by mjr1604

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