How to Save on a Electric Bill

The cost of electricity, along with the cost of everything else in the known universe, is soaring. Utility bills got you down? Never fear, there are a number of simple, easy changes you can make around the house to reduce your use of electricity. Not only is this of overall benefit to the environment, but it also puts a little "green" right where it belongs--back in your pocket!

Things You'll Need

• Ceiling and portable fans
• Tankless or solar hot water heater
• Drying rack or clothesline
• Energy efficient windows and/or curtains or "low-e" film
• Trees
• Green paint
• Programmable thermostat

Instructions

1. Schedule an energy audit with your local power company. They will often provide such a service for free, and the results can allow you to pinpoint just where your house is leaking energy and suggest steps you can take to correct the problems. This step alone could potentially result in saving as much as 50% off your monthly electric bill.

2. Turn off your air conditioner--or at least cut way down on its use. Instead, rely on ceiling fans (choose "Energy Star" rated fans if possible, as these use half the electricity that other models do) and portable fans to cut your summertime electricity usage by nearly 20%.

3. Upgrade your hot water heater to a tankless or solar model to save about 15% per year. If you can't manage this, you can switch to washing your clothes in cold water to save about 7% a year. While you're at it, why not hang them up to dry on a rack or clothesline to save an additional 10%?

4. Replace your windows with more energy-efficient versions to save around 15% on your heating and cooling bills. If you cannot replace the windows, at least seal the edges, cover them with curtains and/or coat them with reflective "low-e" film to prevent heat loss. These changes can save you up to 10%.

5. Plant a few leafy trees around your house. It may take some time for them to grow, but once your house is properly shaded, this could save you about 12% each year.

6. Paint your roof green. This can reduce your summertime cooling needs by some 25%, for an overall savings of about 12% per year.

7. Install a programmable thermostat. This will enable you to choose when your heating and cooling systems switch on and off, so you can save money when you are sleeping or away from home--up to 10% per year.

Tips & Warnings

• These energy savings are based on the average home use of about 11,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 19,000 cubic

• feet of natural gas per year--your results may vary.