How to Save Money on Your Electric Bill
Electric Bill Too High? Here Are Ways to Save Money
Paying for bills can be painful, especially in the summertime when it's ninety-plus degrees outside and you have no choice but to blast the air conditioner. With this quick and nifty guide, you can save a whole load of money on your electricity bill year after year after year.
Most of the tips don't take much time, and don't require an electrical engineering background to implement. Each of these suggestions will save you about a few dollars per month, but if you take heed of them all, you can save hundreds a year, as well as help your path to going "green".
Watch what you buy
1. Air Conditioner with Energy Star
If you have a non-Energy Star compliant air conditioner, it might be time to get rid of it. An Energy Star window or room air conditioner is even cheaper than a non-Energy Star one that has similar specs. For instance, take a look at the two following Best Buy ads:
Ad for Energy Star compliant 12,000 BTU air conditioner
Ad for Non-Energy Star compliant 12,000 BTU air conditioner
Not only does the Energy Star compliant air conditioner cost you $8 less per year, it also costs $70 more to purchase.
Time it takes to purchase: 5-10 minutes if buying online. 30-60 minutes if buying at a store.
2. What size Air Conditioner do you need?
You may want to stay cold in the heat, but getting a 30,000 BTU air conditioner for your small studio apartment rarely makes sense. So how would you know what size or type of air conditioner to get? Simple, check up the BTU needed per square feet on the Energy Star AC measurement site
Time it takes to research: 1 minute.
3, Get Energy Star CFL bulbs
These Compact Flourescent Bulbs save more than $40 in electricity costs over the lifetime of the bulb (about 10 years). Energy Star bulbs
Amount of people it takes to screw in a lightbulb: ...
4. Get Some Blinds
Having blinds or shades on your windows blocks a lot of sunlight from entering the home. Lighter colors will attract less sun.
Amount of time it takes to put up blinds: 30 minutes
Maintenance and Everyday Use
1. Get an HVAC inspection
HVAC inspections, which check your heating, ventilation and air conditioning, considering if you have central air, could reduce energy usage by up to 20%. These inspections typically cost 50-100 dollars, but can you save you money in the long run. An HVAC inspection company
Time it takes for an inspection: About an hour
2. Change Your Filter
Most people don't change their air conditioner's air filter because they don't know where to buy it, don't know when to change it, or are too lazy to research the last two that I just mentioned. Most newer air conditioners will tell you when to change it. For the one's that don't, you should change it at least every year to get rid of the dirt and dust that can build up and hinder air flow. As for what to get - the recommended brand that compliments your own AC is the best, but if you want a generic one, that works also. A generic one will cost you 2-7 dollars, where the better ones will cost you upwards of $10. Here's a link to a bunch of air conditioner filters.
Time it takes to implement: 2-5 minutes
3. Air Dry
Your washer and dryer are two of the biggest energy drains in your house. To cut down on some electricity usage, try hang drying some clothes that you don't urgently need. Research also shows that throwing in two dry hand towels cuts your drying time by as much as 20 minutes. If you have a dishwasher, using Jet Dry will allow you to air dry your dishes without having the water spots left over.
Time things take to air dry: a few hours
4. Unplug when not in use
Many gadgets and appliances continue to suck up electricity even when they aren't being used. If you don't feel like unplugging everything, using a power strip with an on/off button is just as good.
Time it takes to turn off power using a power strip: 1 second
The Best Ways to Cut Down On Your Electric Bill
1. Choose an alternate ESCO (Energy Service Company)
Many states have now deregulated energy and are allowing consumers to shop around and get lower rates up to 15% off a month depending where you live. The biggest ESCO, and the one I currently use is Ambit Energy. You can check if your state qualifies by going to the site.
Time it takes to switch: 1 minute
2. Find Incentives
Also depending on where you live, you can find incentives for energy efficient appliances that you purchase. Most come in the form of tax credits and rebates. State Incentives site.
Time it takes to research: 10 minutes
Most of the tips don't take much time, and don't require an electrical engineering background to implement. Each of these suggestions will save you about a few dollars per month, but if you take heed of them all, you can save hundreds a year, as well as help your path to going "green".
Watch what you buy
1. Air Conditioner with Energy Star
If you have a non-Energy Star compliant air conditioner, it might be time to get rid of it. An Energy Star window or room air conditioner is even cheaper than a non-Energy Star one that has similar specs. For instance, take a look at the two following Best Buy ads:
Ad for Energy Star compliant 12,000 BTU air conditioner
Ad for Non-Energy Star compliant 12,000 BTU air conditioner
Not only does the Energy Star compliant air conditioner cost you $8 less per year, it also costs $70 more to purchase.
Time it takes to purchase: 5-10 minutes if buying online. 30-60 minutes if buying at a store.
2. What size Air Conditioner do you need?
You may want to stay cold in the heat, but getting a 30,000 BTU air conditioner for your small studio apartment rarely makes sense. So how would you know what size or type of air conditioner to get? Simple, check up the BTU needed per square feet on the Energy Star AC measurement site
Time it takes to research: 1 minute.
3, Get Energy Star CFL bulbs
These Compact Flourescent Bulbs save more than $40 in electricity costs over the lifetime of the bulb (about 10 years). Energy Star bulbs
Amount of people it takes to screw in a lightbulb: ...
4. Get Some Blinds
Having blinds or shades on your windows blocks a lot of sunlight from entering the home. Lighter colors will attract less sun.
Amount of time it takes to put up blinds: 30 minutes
Maintenance and Everyday Use
1. Get an HVAC inspection
HVAC inspections, which check your heating, ventilation and air conditioning, considering if you have central air, could reduce energy usage by up to 20%. These inspections typically cost 50-100 dollars, but can you save you money in the long run. An HVAC inspection company
Time it takes for an inspection: About an hour
2. Change Your Filter
Most people don't change their air conditioner's air filter because they don't know where to buy it, don't know when to change it, or are too lazy to research the last two that I just mentioned. Most newer air conditioners will tell you when to change it. For the one's that don't, you should change it at least every year to get rid of the dirt and dust that can build up and hinder air flow. As for what to get - the recommended brand that compliments your own AC is the best, but if you want a generic one, that works also. A generic one will cost you 2-7 dollars, where the better ones will cost you upwards of $10. Here's a link to a bunch of air conditioner filters.
Time it takes to implement: 2-5 minutes
3. Air Dry
Your washer and dryer are two of the biggest energy drains in your house. To cut down on some electricity usage, try hang drying some clothes that you don't urgently need. Research also shows that throwing in two dry hand towels cuts your drying time by as much as 20 minutes. If you have a dishwasher, using Jet Dry will allow you to air dry your dishes without having the water spots left over.
Time things take to air dry: a few hours
4. Unplug when not in use
Many gadgets and appliances continue to suck up electricity even when they aren't being used. If you don't feel like unplugging everything, using a power strip with an on/off button is just as good.
Time it takes to turn off power using a power strip: 1 second
The Best Ways to Cut Down On Your Electric Bill
1. Choose an alternate ESCO (Energy Service Company)
Many states have now deregulated energy and are allowing consumers to shop around and get lower rates up to 15% off a month depending where you live. The biggest ESCO, and the one I currently use is Ambit Energy. You can check if your state qualifies by going to the site.
Time it takes to switch: 1 minute
2. Find Incentives
Also depending on where you live, you can find incentives for energy efficient appliances that you purchase. Most come in the form of tax credits and rebates. State Incentives site.
Time it takes to research: 10 minutes
Published by John Li
How to Reduce Your Home Electric Bill and Save Hundreds of Dollars Per YearThe recommendations in this article cover a wide range of home improvements that can be done for little cost but in the long run reduce your electric bill by over $200 in the co...
Different Things We Can Do to Save Electricity There are many ways to save electricity. You do not have to adopt any drastic measures and decide to live in the dark or go without basic needs in order to save electricity.- Company Creates Machine to Convert Wasted Heat into ElectricityThe sole goal is to have a system that allows for a fuel free and emission free production of electricity. You would be amazed to learn how much heat is wasted on a monthly basis because companies are producing more h...
- 5 C's to Saving ElectricitySaving electricity can be done in one day, with big results. You would be surprised at these five things people look over when cutting their electric use. This will help your closet too!
Residential Electricity Consumer WatchlistResidential Electricity is usually a mystery as far as what a consumer is actually paying for or even agreeing to before signing a contract. The beginning decision on who to sw...
- Reduce Electricity Costs
- Your Electricity Bill - Slashed
- Electricity Saving Tips : Use an Electricity Monitor to Cut Your Electric Costs
- Tips to Lower Your Electricity Bill in Winters
- Ways to Save Money on Your Electric Bill
- Energy Star Sets Standards for Hot Water Heaters
- Choosing and Maintaining an Air Conditioner