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Saving on electricity bills

                                                                     SAVING ON ELECTRICITY BILLS

                          

Lowering the electric bill is easy when following the simple tips in this article. Habits of leaving all the lights on in the house can cause the electric bill to sky rocket. Reduce the electric bill starting now with these tips:

LIGHTING

 

1. Turn off the lights. If no one is in the room, turn off the lamps.

 

2. Light a candle in the bathroom. Even a small candle can provide enough light for just using the toilet.

 

3. Replace bulbs with energy efficient bulbs. This can reduce the monthly electric bill by $20.00.

 

4. Use natural lighting as much as possible. Open the curtains during the day.

 

ELECTRONICS

 

Power strips are a great investment. Hook up all the cords behind the entertainment center and computer desk to power strips. Most televisions, video games, and modems have stand by lights on all night which are using electricity. Turn the power strips off when not in use or at least before going to bed to keep the electronics from pulling energy.

 

APPLIANCES

 

1. Unplug the toaster, the coffee maker, or any other appliances when not in use.

 

2. Wash clothes in cold water then run them through a second spin cycle. Hang to dry.

 

3. Use the microwave or a gas grill. Heating up an electric oven uses a lot of energy.

 

4. Turn off the heated dry setting on the dishwasher. Washing dishes by hand takes some time, but can save money.

 

READ YOUR METER

 

Some electric companies will average your usage. Keeping up with the meter readings will allow for contesting the bill if it’s incorrect.

 

PEAK TIMES

 

Some electric companies have peak times for electric use. Find out what the local electric company considers peak times and wash clothes and run the dishwasher during the off peak hours.

 

EDUCATE CHILDREN

 

1. Children are sometimes at fault by leaving on lights, televisions, and radios. Encourage them to turn it off when it’s not needed.

 

2. Make sure children aren’t sneaking to turn the thermostat up or down.

 

FIND DRAFTS

 

1. If the doors are drafty, install seals around the facing. Place towels at the bottom of the doors to keep in the heat.

 

2. Rolled up towels work great in windowsills to keep drafts at a minimum.

 

These valuable tips will lower the electric bill intensely. Start today and keep up the electric saving habits and watch the bill reduce drastically.

 

Easy Strategies

Strategy

Up front cost

Savings per year

(1) Use space heater to heat only the rooms you're in (rather than a central system that heats the whole house), and turning off the heat when you're not home.

$80

$1023

(2) Use ceiling fan instead of the air conditioner

$100
if you don't already have ceiling fans

$438

(3) Turn off lights you're not using

$0

$274

(4) Use a clothesline or a instead of a dryer

$20

$196

(5) Sleep your computer when you're not using it

$0

$178

(6) Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot or warm

none

$152

(7) Turn off a single 100-watt light bulb, from running constantly

$0

$131

(8) Replace ten 60-watt light bulbs with compact fluorescents

$32

$123

Total

$232
once

$2515
every year

Aggressive Strategies

(9) Replace top-loading washer with front loading washer

$500

$99

(10) Replace 1992 fridge with newer, Energy Star model

$440

$75

Total

$940
once

$174
every year


(1) One 5000-watt central system, always on, running 40mins/hr. for four months, vs. two 1500-watt heaters running 8 hours a day for four months. Of course, not everyone cant heat their living area adequately this way, but some can.
(2) A 2.5-ton, 3500-watt AC 24 hours a day (15 mins/hr) for five months, vs. two 48" ceiling fans on high (75 watts each), 12 hours/day.
(3) Five 100-watt light bulbs on for 10 hours a day when they don't need to be.
(4) 50¢/load as per the clothers dryers 7.5 loads a week.
(5) Computer on for 24 hrs/day @ 160 watts, vs. sleeping 21 hrs/day @ 5 watts
(6) Electric water heater; 7.5 loads/week.
(8) CFL's are 15 watts, lights run 5.5 hours a day.
(9) 1/3 hot washes, 2/3 warm washes, water heated electrically, electric dryer, 7.5 loads/week. Includes water costs.
(10) Replacing a 900 kWh/year fridge with a 400 kWh/year Energy Star model. Non-Energy Star fridge costs $400 and saves $60/yr. All fridge sizes are 18cf. Fridge prices checked at Sears in Nov. 2010.