How to Lower Electricity Bills in the Summer

With a majority of energy prices spiraling out of control, the average American is anxious to lower month to month costs such as electricity. This can be especially difficult in the summer when you're trying to keep you and your family cool. Here are some tips to help you lower those electric bills.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Newspaper
• Shades or curtains
• Replacement light bulbs

1. Crumple newspaper and place it in your fridge while turning the fridge temperature up. As long as you don't mind the "Travel Section" next to last night's leftovers, this is a simple idea that can save you about $40 over the course of the summer. The newspaper acts as additional insulation and keeps the contents of the fridge cool. Just make sure not to raise the temperature too much so that your food spoils. Experimenting with the dial around the 2 or 3 setting in the fridge is ideal.
2. Draw shades and curtains in the evening and leave them be until the morning. In the dog days of summer, you're going to need to use your cooling systems and fans at some point during the day. The trick is to use them for as little as possible. By drawing the shades in the evening, you keep the cool air in. In the morning as the sun starts to rise, you'll also keep the heat out. Use your cooling system from 12 to 4 p.m. If you used to run the system all day, you've now shaved about 6 hours per day. Over the course of the summer that's 600 hours you're not running an air conditioner.
3. Use just one air conditioner in the house. While many newer houses have central air, some older homes have no central system at all. Rather than running multiple air conditioner window units throughout the house, select one room which you occupy the most to keep cool--maybe it's the bedroom at night or your office during the day.
4. Get out of the house to accomplish your tasks. If you want to save money on exorbitant energy costs in the summer, take your business elsewhere. For instance, shut off your lights, turn off the air conditioners, lock up your place and go to the local coffee shop to do your work from home job or recreational emails. For the cost of a small cup of coffee, you can use their WiFi service, bask in their air conditioning and read a provided paper by the light that they are paying for on a daily basis.
5. Unplug appliances that aren't currently in use. Many of us leave our microwaves or coffee makers plugged into the wall. Even if you aren't running those machines, they still draw a small amount of power from the socket. Unplug anything and everything you are not using to help lower your bills in the summer.
6. Switch every bulb in your house to a lower wattage energy efficient model. They may cost a little more upfront, but their life span is several times that of a normal light bulb. By the end of the summer, you'll notice quite a favorable difference as you follow these steps to lower your bills.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a green thumb, plant some trees outside of your home to provide shade. In a few years, the cost of the trees will far outweigh the electricity you would've spent to cool your home in the summer.

Who Can Help:

• Find Handyman Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.
• Find Contractors Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.
• Find Landscaping Design and Installation Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.