How to Save Money on Electric Bills

If you are tired of paying high electric bills, or simply want to improve the environment by using less energy, then you will benefit from this article's easy steps. Changing a few habits can save energy and cut your electric bill.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Energy-saving light bulbs
• Insulation products
• Warmer winter clothes
• Cooler summer clothes

1. When you leave a room, turn off the light. Avoid using more light than you need. Few activities require turning on every lamp in the room. Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs like compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). When compared to a 60-watt incandescent bulb, over its lifetime a CFL will last ten times longer and save up to $30 on electric bills.

2. Moderate the temperature inside by turning the air conditioner or furnace up to five degrees above or below your normal setting. For example, if you normally set your air conditioner to 70 degrees, change it to 75 degrees. You may need to shed your socks and put on shorts or a tank top, but you will see a significantly smaller electric bill. In the winter, put on a sweater or thicker socks before turning down the heat. Being conservative with your home's temperature is one of the easiest ways to save energy.

3. Use less hot water. Wash clothes with warm or cold water. Only run the dishwasher with a full load, and turn off the "heated dry" cycle; most dishes will dry naturally from the heat remaining inside the dishwasher. Use slightly cooler water in the shower and shower quickly. Wash your hands and face and brush your teeth with cold water.

4. Buy products marked with the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star. Products boasting the Energy Star rating meet the strict energy saving standards of the EPA and the US Department of Energy. Using them will lower your electric bill.

5. Install insulation to prevent cold and hot air from seeping in and out of the house. Hanging insulating drapes will save energy. Wrap the water heater in insulation and paint your ceilings and walls with insulating paint that reflects heat back into the room. Adding insulation to exterior walls will definitely save energy, but requires significant expense. Insulating just the attic is a cheaper alternative that will cut your energy bills.

Tips & Warnings

• If your home was built before 1980, reaches unbearable temperatures in winter and summer or is located in an area with extreme weather, get an insulation inspection. Your home probably needs better insulation.

Resources

• Browse product ratings and other energy-saving information from Energy Star.
• Learn more about energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights from the US Department of Energy.
• Rate your energy-saving savvy and performance at Good Humans.

[jull14]

on 6/26/2009 As always a great article with so much information. Excellent steps and very easy to follow, thank you so much for helping us learn everyday more.