How to save money on your electric bill

Everyone knows since last year we have really been trying to go "green". There are so many website with so much information, and even social networks you can sign up for and make friends as you go "green" together. Going green isn't just about preserving nature, it's about saving you money too. :)

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• monthly electric bill
• the will to cut back your electric bill

1. In this step i' m going to explain to you why going "green" is so important to not only the economy, nature, earth, but also you. Each and every individual on this planet has the power to go "green". You can recycle, use less paper, use less plastic, use less electricity, water, go solar, and plant some trees too. But I want to talk to you about cutting back your electricity use.
2. Cutting back your electricity means a lower electric bill, and for some a lower gas bill as well. If everyone in this world turned on all their lights, all their appliances, and electric products, i' m sure we'd run out of electricity quick ... people would be without power for days, maybe weeks ... we'd be in a state of panic.
   
   Electricity is needed to run your water, cook your food (unless it's gas), heat your house, etc. There are several ways you can reduce electricity use on a monthly basis, and doing this process can save you up to 20-50% on your next months bill. Here are some ways to do that:
   
   1. keep all lights off during the day, use natural light from outside
   2. turn off your heater/cooler during the day, or 2 degrees back in winter and two degrees up in summer
   3. Wash clothes on a weekly basis, not a daily basis, and make sure they are full loads.
   4. Wash your clothes in COLD WATER, washing them in hot water uses more electricity to produce the hot water.
   5. After dark use small lamps in the area you are working in. (for example-during the evening is when i mostly at my computer, I always use a desk lamp for light rather than turning on my living room light, the desk lamp uses alto less electricity, and you can buy "green" bulbs to put out more light.
   6. Take a bath or shower every couple days, unless your work requires you to come to work clean and leave dirty-then you don't need a shower every night, well unless you over sweat, or you naturally smell.
   7. When filling up the bath tub put the cork in it first, then begin filling it up, adjusting the temperature as needed. Or take a 5-10 min shower. Ladies, this can be achieved. :)
   8. unplug all appliances when you go to bed or they are not in use, even if they are turned off they still use electricity.
   9. Try living how cultures do overseas with no electricity at all. Would you be able to do it?
3. All steps provided here are guaranteed to cut back your electric bill, gathered that you do ALL of this on a daily basis. here's how your electric bill should look for different household sizes:
   
   1. One person -$15
   2. Two People -$35
   3. Three people -$55
   4. four people -$75
   5. five people -$95
   
   now when you break it down, each person use's about 15 bucks worth of electricity in a given month..if you're electric bill is higher than what is stated, then someone's not doing their part. Time for a family meeting! Or Time for a Roommate meeting!
   
   Between my son and I we use an average of $35 per month - that's during the winter ... provided we keep this up, during the summer it should hang around $20. Why? during the summer you don't need your heat on, and too be honest, you can open your windows during the night for a cool breeze, and even place a small fan in the window to circulate the air better, and during the day close all blinds to keep the light from coming in, and when you cook..heck...grill outside :) If not, open all the doors to allow the wind to come in to cool your house while your cooking. You really want to stay away from windows where lights can come through as that will heat your house up a good majority.

Tips & Warnings

• During the winter cut back your heater by 2 degrees, if it's at 72, go to 70
• During the summer go forward 2 degrees, if it's 70 go to 72
• Always turn off all appliances or products when you are not home or they are not in use, even plugged they can still use electricity.
• reduce your showers to 5-10 mints. plug your bath before filling it
• During the summer open your windows at night to let cool air into your room, if you need more circulation place a small fan by the window.
• During the day keep all lights off, use the natural light from outside to light your house or a specific room
• At night use a small lamp or portable lamp in the area you will be
• Warning! Doing the exact opposite of all guidelines states will result in a very high electric bill...