How To Reduce Your Electricity Bill
Electricity is one utility we often take for granted and it’s one bill that tends to keep rising! However, it’s actually easy to reduce electric costs. It’s more of a behavioral modification than anything. Learning to use manual tools in place of electric tools is a matter of asking “how did they do this before homes had electricity?”. The fact is, people managed quite well before homes were equipped with the amenities we take for granted. Even today many live willingly without electricity and get along just fine. Here are some tips to help you save on unnecessary electricity expenses:
- Box up electric items you don’t absolutely need like can openers, blenders, etc
- Turn your water heater on low – this can save a lot of money at the end of the day
- Use oil lamps or candles more often. Candles make for a great atmospheric dinner!
- If possible, invest in motion sensing switches or light bulbs to ensure lights are not on longer than they need to be
- Line dry your clothes outside. If you live in an apartment I suggest getting a clothes rack and drying them in your bath tub
- Tell your teenage daughter to spend less time in the bathroom blow drying her hair!
- Program your thermostat to run at intervals, or turn off when you are away at work. According to energystar.gov you could save yourself around $180 per year
- Keep your air conditioning filters clean as dirt and dust can prevent proper air flow
- Switch your light bulbs. Changing to a 19-watt CFL bulb can save you $30 a year (energystar.gov)
- Close your curtains to keep the sunlight from heating up your room
- Unplug electrical gadgets in your house when not in use such as your microwave, toaster, and even cell phone charger. These items consume energy and generate heat even when they are not being used
As we all struggle to make ends meet these days, cutting the cost of your electricity will free up some much needed money! What do you do to cut costs around the house?
Special thanks to Becky (aka. Rayhawk) for contributing this post!
Tags: reduce your electric bill
5. August 2009 at 5:01 pm :
Some Way To Save On Electricity Bill.
Unplug or turn off all inactive appliances Tv, Games, computers etc. Make sure refrigerator door are properly seal when closed, also do the following for all windows and doors. Open refrigerator only when necessary, try to minimized on clothes ironing on a monthly basis.
Change all regular light bulbs to Flourecent light bulbs in the home.
5. August 2009 at 10:46 pm :
If you have a microwave, try to use it more often for cooking. It uses less power and doesn’t generate as much heat in your home as the stove.
Precook meats all at one time for the weekly menu. If you plan to use ground meats in a few meals, cook it all up at once then freeze it. This will reduce the time of cooking future meals and reduce the amount of time your stove is on of course reducing power. Also cooked meats store longer in the freezer or fridge so you run into less risk of tainted foods if not used right away.
Pick up a cheap toaster oven and electric skillet at Good Will. Why fire up a huge oven running on a 220 line to cook a single pot pie or to fry an egg or hamburger?
Do you really need baby bottle warmers, wipe warmers, electric air fresheners, electric night lights, electric decorations? Remember before bottle warmers were invented baby milk was warmed in a cup of hot water. If you are really concerned about a wet cold wipe on your baby’s bottom perhaps returning to the old fasion way of using a damp warm wet rag might be better and will save you lot of money on the cost of disposable wipes.
If you are having trouble paying your power bills it’s a good idea to reduce your power to the bare basic needs and use non powered methods as much as possible even for those basic needs. There was a time when families were made healthy and strong without having electric in their homes at all. It can be done if you let go of convenience and embrace manual labor.
15. August 2009 at 2:07 pm :
Nice list. I would like to expand on your comment about a clothes drying rack, it can be used year round anywhere in your house or apartment. You can even place them out on your patio on in your driveway or yard. The best thing about a rack instead of a clothesline is that it can be used year round and you do not have to wait for the sunshine.
I have been dryer free for two years!
8. May 2010 at 5:41 pm :
Great tips. I just recently learned that plugged in cell phone chargers eat up an outrageous anouth of energy. Who would have thought.