How To Lower Your Electric Bill – Part One

How To Lower Your Electric Bill – Part One

from BeatTheRecession.com

Besides the gas in your car, the next highest energy expense is the electricity in your home. And for some people this is the highest energy cost. Over the next few days we will discuss numerous tips that should help you significantly lower your energy bill. And best of all, most of these are simple and don’t hamper your lifestyle very much at all.

1. Use Time Wisely
10 a.m. in the morning to 2 p.m. in the afternoon is the peak time of the day when the energy usage is highest, due to the combination of the midday sun and business energy use. And guess what - that's when utilities charge the most for electricity. So try to move chores like cooking and running the dryer to later at night or early in the morning, when rates are at their lowest.

2. Lower Your Shades
Even something simple as lowering a shade for a window to block direct sunlight conserves electricity

3. Clean Filters
Change or clean your air conditioner's filters at least once a month. Aluminum mesh filters may be washed. Fiberglass filters should be replaced.

4. Unplug Electronics When Not In Use
Often they use 10% of electricity just by being plugged in. (It is NOT a good idea to try this with your refrigerator or freezer)

5. Use Cold Water For The Laundry
This combined with the change in time will drop your costs significantly.

6. Stop The Dryer As Soon As Clothes Are Dry
Or use the moisture sensor control to automatically shut off the dryer. Overdrying wastes energy and sets in wrinkles. Dry loads one right after another. You'll use less energy because the dryer is already heated.

7. Use Timers To Turn Lights On and Off
When you're not around, it's better than leaving a light on constantly, and also works to fool burglars.

8. Change The Fridge Settings
Keep the temperature between 36 degrees and 40 degrees in the refrigerator and 0 degrees and 5 degrees in the freezer. Use a refrigerator/freezer thermometer to check the settings.

9. Adjust The Temperature Before Leaving The House or Going To Bed
Or better yet, install a programmable thermostat. It will eventually more than pay for itself

10. Install Energy Saving Windows
Your old single pane windows do a poor job of insulating and make you’re A/C and heaters work extra hard.