How to Get Lower Electric Rates

Methods to lower electric rates vary depending on your location.

Lowering your electric rates and bill each month is possible by improving your current situation and reducing and controlling the amount of energy your household consumes on a daily basis. Along with calling your electric company to see if they have special rates or payment plans available, small adjustments to your home and household items will save generous amounts on your electric bill.

Instructions

1. Purchase an electronic thermostat which will allow you to program your heating and cooling automatically or for when you are not occupying your home (potentially saving you money on your monthly bill).

2. Keep lights and power sources off entirely when not in use. Unplug small appliances that do not require power constantly to help reduce the amount of energy output. Turn off lights in your home that are unnecessarily on and lights in rooms that are not occupied.

3. Reduce the light bulb wattage in your home by purchasing less powerful bulbs and install light dimmers to help reduce the energy output when running your electronics, lights, and electricity.

4. Add motion sensors to lights in hallways or bathrooms (at nighttime) to help reduce the amount of usage each light gets. Motion sensors will allow the lights to work only when necessary and then turn off immediately afterwards.

5. Replace any traditional incandescent light bulbs in your home with eco-friendly compact fluorescent light bulbs, which will save on energy bills and also last up to 13 times the traditional bulb.

6. Switch to a gas water heater if you currently have an electric water heater installed in your home (as electric water heaters consume more energy and electricity than gas water heaters). Keep your water heater's temperature at no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help lower your electric bills.

7. Use kitchen and electronic appliances and gadgets less frequently to help reduce your electric bill. Air-dry your clothes, cook dinner over an open fire pit as opposed to running kitchen appliances, or read and paint rather than using your television or computer to save on electricity costs.

8. Add natural light to your home to help reduce the need for artificial lighting and lamps. Open your home's blinds and move your office or workspace to a spot with natural light to eliminate the use of electricity. Add sheer blinds to your windows to allow natural light to shine through into your home.

Tips & Warnings

• Call your local electric company in your city for information on special electric rates or payment plans for your monthly bill.

References

• Smart Money: 13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill
• Woman's Day: Money Saving Tips for Electric Bill
• Home Tips: 10 Easy Ways to Slash Your Electric Bills