Save on Utility Expenses: Electricity

If you are like most Americans today, you are looking for ways to cut your expenses back each month. In most cases utilities are one of the largest monthly unavoidable expenses. Over the coarse of the last year, my mother and I have been testing out ways to cut our electricity bill down. In both of our cases we were able to minimize our electricity consumption by roughly 40-50%. We did it by utilizing these tips.

1. Not Using It? Unplug It!

Unplug any appliances and electronics when not in use. Most electronics use energy even when they are not in use including device chargers. The energy consumption for a single device generally isn’t that much but when you have five to ten "idle" devices that’s a lot of energy being consumed when not in use. Utilize multi-plug energy efficient power strips for your computer workstation, entertainment center, and any other areas where you have several devices plugged in at once.

2. Take Advantage of Energy Saving Features

A lot of today’s appliances and electronics have energy saving features but people tend to forget you have to set these features up before they work. Enabling your computer and televisions "sleep mode" feature will reduce it’s energy consumption by 70%. Completely shut down your computer at night and when you are going to be away for more than two hours.

3. Turn Off The Lights

Turn off the lights when you leave a room and avoid using lights during the day. Instead take advantage of the suns "free" light by opening the blinds. Turn off florescent lights when you are going to be gone for more than 15 minutes. It’s best to use no lights at all but if you must, ensure that you are using energy efficient florescent light bulbs and install lighting controls such as timers, dimmers, or motion controls. Use light emitting diode, or LED, lighting for outdoor security and decoration. LEDs are a more durable choice for outdoor use.

4. Control the Temperature

In the summer, set your thermostat to a minimum of 78 degrees. I keep mine set on 83 degrees. Use fans to circulate the cool air. In the winter, set your thermostat to 68 degrees and lower the temperature at night and when you are away. When we are going to gone for an extended period of time, I set the temperature to 50 degrees.

5. Repair The Leaks

Leaks can cause your home to loose a great deal of heat in the winter. Repair any air leaks around windows, door, or plumbing by using caulk, weather stripping, or installation.

6. Use Appliances Wisely

Set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees. If you have small children in the home this need to done anyway for their safety. To conserve water heat use a water heater blanket to insulate your water heater. Wash full loads of laundry in cold water at off peak times of the day. If you don’t know when your peak times are call your electric company and ask. Only use your dryer when it’s absolutely necessary and again at off peak times of the day. Clean out your dryers lint filter after each use. Hang your clothes to dry; an outdoor clothesline is faster if the weather is nice but an indoor clothes hanger works just as well. I installed a retractable clothesline in our basement to use in the winter. Wash full loads of dishes in the dishwasher at off peak times of the day; use shorter wash/rinse cycles and air dry settings.

7. Change The Filters

Replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner according to the manufacturers recommendation. A good rule of thumb is once a month. Clean filters can lower the air conditioners energy consumption by 5-15%.

8. Install Low Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Install low flow shower heads in your showers; investing in a $10 low flow head can yield hot water savings of 25-60%. Install faucet aerators (the screw-on portion of the faucet) that have a flow rate of no more than 1 gallon per minute.

These tips are all budget friendly ways can you can lower your electricity consumption. You can reduce your consumption even more by replacing your appliances with certified Energy Star appliances. I don’t recommend replacing perfectly good appliances for Energy Star models just to save energy. Wait and replace your appliances when they need to be replaced.

This article is the first in a series on how to Save on Utility Expenses. Stay tuned for the next article.

Photo Credit: FinancialMetrics

How do you save energy? Do you do something I don’t? Share your tips with us in the comments below!

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