Electricity question (which is cheaper)?

Question

Would it be cheaper to run the A/C more or to plug in a couple (small) fans?

I live in a one bedroom apartment and my light bill was $119!

I don't leave lights on...only the room I am in. And I don't run my A/C real low (normally around 70).

How can I save money on my electricty bill? When I first moved in (a year ago) my bill was only $70 or $80 a month.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Two fans probably cheaper than A/C.  Dubya has caused the economy to tank, so electricity has gone up.  Put your computer, printer, etc. on a surge strip and turn it off when not using it to save even more.

Answer 2

First off put compact florescent lights in all the lights except the ones on dimmers. then keep the windows closed in the day and use 1 powerful fan (Box Fan will work fine) to suck in cool air at night!    

Answer 3

we have a 4 bedroom victorian and our bill last month and this month were both 35 dollars each!

here's how:

use fans, not ac

fluorescent bulbs

unplug everything! any appliance (or charger) can be pulling 40 percent of it's "on" electric even when turned off. the only thing plugged in 24/7 in my house is the furnace and the refrigerator everything else is on bars or i manually unplug.

no dryer...it can be done. i have 5 kids and never owned a dryer!

Answer 4

There is a possibility your electric may be costing more.  Some areas of the country has experienced increases, and you might be caught up in this increase.

Also, the area where you live might be experiencing hotter temperatures for longer periods of time.  

Another thought could be that the AC is itself not operating properly and may be sucking electricity a lot more too.  

Be sure you change the filter regularly.  A dirty filter will mess your efficiency up not to mention the actual cooling.

Fans will make a difference for sure, used in conjunction with the a/c.  You might be able to shave a few $$ off the bill by turning the thermostat to 80 during the day.  But as I mentioned before, if the A/C is operating incorrectly, it is pretty much a moot point.