How to Save Money on Electricity

General Tips for How to Save Money on Electricity

To save money on electricity throughout the year, remember the following tips:

• Invest in florescent lighting. Although the initial purchase of new bulbs will be more expensive, you’ll see a great savings in the end. Florescent bulbs last longer and cost less to operate than incandescent light bulbs.
• Consider upgrading old appliances to newer energy-efficient versions. If you need a new refrigerator anyway, choosing one that will reduce your electric bill is a smart move.
• Hang your laundry outside whenever possible. Using a clothesline helps you save money on the electricity required to operate your dryer. It also keeps you cooler in the summer by reducing the amount of heat generated in your home.
• If you need to use your dryer, toss a clean bath towel in with your clothes. The towel will absorb excess moisture to make your clothes dry quicker.
• Clean your clothes in cold water whenever possible. It requires a substantial amount of energy to heat the water used in your washer. Cold water can be used for almost every load except underwear and socks, cloth diapers, sheets, towels, and heavily-soiled items.
• Unplug appliances that you seldom use. Even if an appliance is turned off, it’s still using a small amount of electricity.
• Encourage everyone in your home to take showers instead of baths to conserve water.
• Turn down the temperature on your hot water heater to between 115 degrees and 125 degrees. You’ll save money and still have enough hot water for daily use.
• Use foam wrap to help insulate your home’s hot water pipes and heater. Just remember to keep the wrap at least three inches away from all exhaust vents.

Heating Your Home Without Going Broke

Consider these tips for learning how to save money on electricity while reducing your winter utility bills:

• Keep your furnace set to 68 degrees or lower. Put on a sweater if you start to feel chilly.
• Invest in flannel sheets and warm blankets to guarantee a good night’s sleep without turning up the thermostat.
• If you have parts of your home that aren’t regularly used, such as a guest bedroom, close the vents in these areas. It’s silly to pay to heat rooms that aren’t needed on a daily basis.
• Put plastic on your windows to reduce drafts. Studies have show that up to 25 percent of a home’s heat can be lost through windows and doors.
• Don’t use bathroom or kitchen hood ventilation fans unless they’re absolutely necessary. These fans can quickly pull the heat out of your home.
• Contrary to popular belief, portable space heaters are not a good way to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard, they use much more electricity than what is truly needed.

Staying Cool on a Budget

To keep cool without emptying your bank account, try the following:

• Keep your central air turned up to 78 degrees. Setting it even one degree lower will raise your cooling costs by six percent.
• Use a ceiling fan to make your central air more effective. Research shows that a well-placed fan can make your home feel three-to-four degrees cooler in the summer.
• Make your landscaping do double-duty. Plant trees on the east and west sides of your home to keep away the sun’s rays. If possible, plant shrubbery close to the foundation.
• Keep your curtains and blinds closed during the day to prevent the sun’s heat from warming up your home.
• Cook with a grill or microwave whenever possible. The heat generated from your oven will make your home feel much warmer on a hot summer day.
• Turn your central air off in the mornings and evenings. Open a window and let the breeze keep your home cool.