How do I cut down my electricity bill?

Question

So, I just got my bill today in the mail and it's a whopping $230! I live in a one bedroom apartment with my boyfriend and I don't see how it could possibly be this high. I've lived here for two years and it wasn't even this high in August! I live in the Dallas area so it's hot hot but it's only June. It's going to get much hotter. I rarely use the stove and have recently replaced all my lightbulbs with those energy efficient ones in an attempt to be a little more 'green' hehe. I admit that I keep it pretty cool in here because I hate being hot more than anything, but I heard that turning the A/C off during the day while i'm gone and then turning it back on actually uses more energy?? Please Help! $230 is waaay too much! Thanks.

Answer 1

I live in Arizona - I feel your pain! We find a constant 78 degrees in our house with a couple fans running keeps things nice and cool, and the fans use much less electricity than setting the A/C to a lower temp. We also have the thermostat set to 80 whenever we're not home. Even if you use the energy efficient bulbs, turn off lights in rooms you're not in. Make sure all electronics not in use are turned off, even unplugged if possible. Only wash and dry full loads of laundry - even with a short cycle those little loads suck up electricity! Make sure the weather stripping around your doors and windows is still doing it's job - remember Mom and Dad saying that they're not paying to cool the entire neighborhood? Check the seals on your refrigerator too - a cold air leak there can waste tons of electricity. Check the temperature settings on your fridge and freezer to make sure they're not set higher than they need to be. Take short showers and very few baths, and wash your clothes in cold water. They get just as clean and the water heater takes tons of electricity so the less hot water you use the better. Check the temp on your water heater - chances are it's set to a higher temp than you need. Don't use the heated dry cycle on your dishwasher. Check with your electric company and see if they charge higher rates during "peak hours" - many do. If so, use major appliances like washer, dryer, water heater, and dishwasher outside of those hours. Keep checking because the hours could change seasonally.

Answer 2

Well, it may not be insolated or if it is very little, find out if you can insolate it.

Answer 3

You should not be turning your A/C off because each time you turn it on and off your meter jumps. You should set it on 70 or no lower than 68 that will keep the house cool. And don't leave lights on or sleep with the T.V on that will help also. Try to use as much sunlight as possible.

Answer 4

anything that heats anything uses loads of electricity, this includes kettles, toasters, irons, hair driers, hair straighteners, clothes driers, washing machines.  If you plug as kettle into a small generator it will stall as they dont produce enough current...

Try looking at the wattage of your appliances and then the price per Kwh (kilowat hour) your supplier charges eg if you have a 1000W AC unit that means for every hour it is using 1 KWh worth of electricity...

Answer 5

I sugget you to file all the bills in a binder or something. So, you can think wisely if they charged you high.

Is it posible if they sent you wrong bill?

Answer 6

Well, as every little bit helps... I would assume your boyfriend and you also have more electronics in your place besides your computer (Wii, X-Box, DVD player, etc.) These are probably on power strips and some of these devices still leech power even when they are turned off. Just switch off the power strip when none of the devices are in use.

Also, LED and Plasma monitors and/or TVs take up a good bit of power. Turn them off when not in use.

Answer 7

No offense but I think you should count yourself fortunate that it isn't double.

   Without lengthy details which I assume you are intelligent enough to figure out, and have, in the sense of trying to conserve, the major issue for you and all of us is changing our notions in tolerance levels.

   Again, with no offense, some minor sweating is FREE. An example I'll offer:

   Most of us want comfort, though might all define that differently. I happen to enjoy it HOT, here in South West, FL.

   Assume for a moment you keep a summer temp of 75 in your place. To me that might be fine if I'm active in the house, but chilly, just sitting around. Raising that even by 3 degrees could save some cash.

   To keep a dwelling at a constant. MIGHT be more cost efficient, but raise it when you go out to 80. At the very least, if the apt. is poorly insulated, you won't have to fire up the AC to reduce a 100 degree inside temp.

   Then there are Nights, and opening windows,,, ventilation if the Sun doesn't shine on your apt, all the time. Putting up more efficient blinds or drapes to block a heat exchange. Determine what temp your refrig can still mainatin food, and notch that up a degree or two. If you have ceiling fans ONLY use them when in that room. They are not designed to cool rooms. Keep your AC filters replaced regularly. Don't leave even the efficient lights on when not in a room. COOK major meals  if/when you do, after the outside temp has gotten cooler, etc. etc. etc.

Just my two "sense"

Answer 8

It isn't going to raise your bill to turn your AC down while you are out for an extended amount of time. Try to raise the thermostat a few degrees if you can.That is a good start. Also,clothes dryers use lots of energy. Do you have a place that you can air-dry your clothing . Good luck!

Answer 9

Get a programmable thermostat.  Keep your curtains closed tight.  Turn the water heater down, and wrap it with a blanket made to fit it, (at the hardware store).

Answer 10

One thing that can help, is to unplug electrical items that you are not using, coffee pots, cell phone chargers, etc. Even though you might not be using them,  they are still using juice when they are plugged in.

I would adjust the A/C, when you are not home, not turning it completely off, but also not allowing it to cool an empty house.