Saving on electricity....any ideas?!?

Question

Our electric bill has steadily been climbing for the last 5-6 months and we can't figure out why...maybe some you can help me out. We are a family of 2 and our kwh usage has went up and up...it was averaging around 800kwh per month in December. Then the last few months, it has jumped to 1150kwh per month, and now this month it has jumped again to nearly 1600kwh per month. We have done nothing different, except for buying a 7.3 cu ft. chest freezer in December. What would account for the steady climb?? If anything, I have tried to cut down...washing dishes by hand instead of the dishwasher, keeping lights off until dark, raising the thermostat from 70 to 78. Any ideas as to what might be happening?? Ideas on how to lower it back down?? Ty everyone!!

Answer 1

could there possibly be something wrong with your meter? call the electric company and they will check it out for free

Answer 2

Unplug  any type of battery charger, laptop, cell phone, etc.  when not using.  These draw current even when not being used.  Turn off your printer when not using.

Answer 3

The two strongest possibilities are a malfunction in the meter.  Have the electric company check it.  The other one is a problem with you electric water heater.  It's probably the biggest electric use in your house.  Oops, you don't have a gas water heater do you?  Anyway, if one of your hot water pipes has a leak that is getting bigger it would fit the slow but definite increase.  I had one of my hot water pipes corrode through in a spot a few years ago.  It was under a concrete floor.  I had to reroute the plumbing around it.  Luckily I could hear what sounded like water running and caught it before it cost me much.

Answer 4

The freezer will increase the usage, but that should have leveled out by now.  If you want to conserve electricity, try switching to the new flourescent light bulbs, for starters.  Have you checked for air leaks around windows, doors, and outlets?  Is your home adequately insulated?  Most states have a energy conservation program.  Google your state's program and have someone come check your home out.   They have very generous income guidelines for assisting you in updating your insulation, so they may be able to fix it for free.  Clean the coils on your refrigerator and freezer.  Change the filters in your air conditioner and heating system.  If it is a continual upward trend, something that runs continually in your home isn't functioning properly, so doing all of these things may help correct the problem.  And I agree that you should have your meter checked out.