How to be energy efficient and lower your electric bill

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By Carol S
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be energy efficient and lower your electric bill

Did you know that changing the way you use electricity could save you a substantial amount of money. No kidding...

There are simple steps that you can take to lower your electric bill that you probably never considered.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

have your meter inspected every year. A faulty meter could be costing you up to $20.00 a month extra. Call the electric company each year and ask them to come out and check your meter.

The electric company will not notice a defective meter unless they come out to inspect it.

Have your meter inspected yearly and monitor your electric bill for any sudden price increase. This could be a sign of a faulty meter.
Step 2

Yes those energy saving light bulbs can lower your electric bill.

It's a fact that Energy saving light bulbs use a quarter of the power of traditional incandescent light bulbs and can last up to 12 times as long.

Change your whole house over from traditional light bulbs to energy saving light bulbs and you will lower your electric bill.

Visit the Consumer Utility Services Blog in the resource section below for more information.
Step 3

Did you know that even when you turn off your cable box and your tv they remain on and suck up electricity? The same with your microwave, your cordless phone and your computer. The electric company call these appliances vampires because they continue to suck up power even after you turn them off.

The solution is to plug these appliances into a power surge cord and when you turn them off, turn them off from the cord (there is usually an on/off button on the cord) instead of from the appliance itself. In doing this you cut off the energy supply to the appliance and will lower your electric bill.

* When your phone is done charging, turn off the power cord, When you are done with the microwave, turn off the power cord etc...
Step 4

** Put a timer on your pool filter and set it to run in the evening.

** Wash and dry your clothing in the evening when the temperature is cooler. Doing it during the day when the temperature is hot will cause your air conditioner to work harder to cool the house down resulting in higher energy costs.

** try to use cold water to wash your clothes as apposed to hot. This will decrease the amount of energy your hot water heater uses.

Comments

sherryk9210 said

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on 10/5/2008 Thanks for the great tips FREE INDEED, I can really use your steps !! I thought you would like my article on " REDUCING YOUR ENERGY BILLS " ***CHECK IT OUT***

susu7 said

on 8/19/2008 I do a lot of things to cut back but never thought of the washer and dryer causing the AC to work harder. Common sense, though. I will wash at night. Thanks for all the good tips.