Whether it’s for financial reasons or environmental reasons, everyone is looking to save a little money on their electric bill. There are some very simple things you can do to get your electric bill down to something more manageable, and here are some of the best ideas.
1. Invest in energy-efficient appliances.
If you are in the market for a new washer, dryer, or refrigerator anyway, look for one that conserves energy. The money it saves will make it well worth the investment in the end.
2. Use your curtains.
Keep them open in the cold months to let in sunlight and closed during the summer to keep out the heat. Using your curtains can drastically lower the cost of heating and cooling.
3. Use a digital thermostat.
These can usually be purchased for around $100. Program it to lower the heat during work hours when you are gone and turn itself back on just half an hour before you come home
4. Lower your refrigerator usage.
Plan ahead and remove necessary meal ingredients all at the same time, and let your hot foods cool off before you put them in the refrigerator to help conserve energy there
5. Use your microwave.
The microwave uses much less power than its conventional counterparts and cooks for less time. If you can use your microwave to cook something, go for it.
6. Unplug your electric devices when not using them.
TVs, computers and other electronics often draw power from the outlet even when turned off, so if you know you won’t be using them for awhile, unplug them
7. Keep your fridges and freezers full.
In a fridge full of food, the food acts as extra insulation, meaning the fridge doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the rest of it cold. The same is true of freezers.
8. Do chores in the evening.
Any heat-generating appliances like a dishwasher or a dryer forces the air conditioner to work harder and use more energy to keep things cool. Schedule your housework around the hottest time of day instead of during it.
9. Use the “cold” setting on your washer.
This will lower the energy used by your washer drastically, as nearly 90% of the energy it uses is just for heating up the water.
10. Get task lighting.
Small work or desk lamps can help illuminate a small area without needing to exert enough energy to illuminate an entire room.
