What can I do to lower my electric bill right now?

Question

My electric bill looks like the Nation Debt.

What are some things I can do to maker a difference right now?

Answer 1

Use energy efficient light bulbs.  Do laundry at night time and all in one day.  If you aren't in a room turn the light/t.v. off.  That will also save the Polar Bears.  Leave your air conditioning at 73 degrees or put it on power saver.

My friend says to put your electric bill in the neighbors mail box and maybe you will get lucky and they will pay it for you.  Just a little late night humor.

Answer 2

Probably your biggest consumer of electricity will be your hot water. There are one or two things you can check to see if that is using more than it should. If you have a hot water cylinder and it's connected to the mains pressure then there should be a pressure valve below the cylinder to lower the pressure going into the cylinder, or if it's mains pressure then it should be at the top. Check and see that there isn't any water leaking out the top pipe. Check the thermostat to see what temperature it's set at, you shouldn't need more than 50 degrees C (122F) .

Shower rather than bathe and when boiling the jug use cold water. Heating the water twice wastes power.

Answer 3

Those expensive flourescent light bulbs really do use less electricity for the same amount of light.  And they have a bonus....the energy you save doesn't heat up the house like it used to, which means your cooling bill goes down.   And conventional cooking of all kinds heats up the kitchen and the rest of the house, so if you use a microwave to cook with in the summer you get the same bonus you got with the light bulbs....the A/C runs less often.

Answer 4

Neon Lights

The oldish ones that are circles and strew in will last long time and use 1/2 or less of the power of heat bulbs.

LED is even better, but they are cheap, gotta get the price up on them before they go mass market.

If Thermostat is at XX turn it down, less cooling by 15 degrees.

Thermostat,we can live in 80-90 degree summer and 60-70 winter easily.

Put up a Clothesline and start using it.

Rather than using 2 burners to make eggs and bacon, use one, cook the bacon, then the eggs, same pan, same burner.

In the daytime there is not really a need to turn a light on.

Storm Doors

Storm Windows

It is like double paneing everything

Are three TVs on?

Three cable boxes?

Two?

Not needed

It is a matter of Need and Want.

Answer 5

get some fans....ceiling fans or whatever.  keep your shades down, especially if you are gone all day at work or something, also turn the air off when your at work or whatever.  open them slightly so you can still get some sun in.  at night we turn off the air and put a box fan in the window and close our bedroom door. so it is cool in the room.  our air is on 80.  with the blinds down it stays pretty cool and with them only slightly open we get enough sunlight in that we don't have the lights on much until it gets dark.

Answer 6

i used to own a fridge which last me more than 20 years. Recently it broke down and i got a new one. now my electric bill reduce by 40-50%

Answer 7

Along with all these wonderful suggestions, there are a few missing.

A full refrigerator uses less energy to cool than one that barely has anything in it.  So, store those extra juice and water bottles IN the fridge.

All those little lights on your systems, you know the ones on the tv, the cable box, the Tevo, the stereo, ETC, all those lights are using electricity, because they store energy to give you that "quick, instant" on.  So, put these things on a power strip.  If you're gone for the day, or especially for a weekend, just turn off the power strip, not the TV, etc.  You will save according to the number of items you have that store energy.  Remember, each tv, etc.

And the water heater's a big one unless you've a gas one.  We've got the radiant coils that just heat the water on an as needed basis, hangs on the garage wall, and don't have a big ole water heater tank.  But, if you've a tank, be sure it's set to the correct temp, and insulated well.  BUT, if you've got a dishwasher and use it, DON'T turn your water temp down too far.  The dishes won't get clean.  Then you'll be wasting water and Electircity to rewash them.

The the ever popular ceiling fan especially if you have an airconditioner.

And it can be used in the winter too, and make sure you check that furnace filter regularly.

Good luck with taming the National Debt.

Oh, and as far as drying the clothes outside, maybe, maybe not.  Some schools of thought say dryers are more economical due to the sun fading and causing fabric to disinegrate more rapidly.  So you have to replace them more frequently.

Answer 8

Move from electric things to non-electrical..

Use candles and oil lanterns or gas lanterns.  Cook over live flames, possibly even in a fireplace or an old wood cookstove.

Heat with gas, oil, or coal, even with LP gas.

Use manual fans for ventilation and comfort.  The British army at one time used moving slats that waved back and forth making a breeze, when driven by a servant or slave.

Look in antique stores and shops and flea markets specializing in old stuff; can often find a lot of good mechanical stuff, requiring only muscle power.

Run a wire around your electric meter!! Not legal, but effective.  And when caught you will have no electric bills for your stay in the city jail!

Answer 9

Turn off the air conditioner or the heat.  Turn your water heater way down.  Turn the temperature up on your refrigerator.  Things that heat and cool are the biggest energy hogs.

Answer 10

cut down on your ac--use a fan as much as you can

keep lights off as much as you can--especially during the day

turn tv or anything electric off, if not using

etc.

Answer 11

Wait until it is above 95 degrees to turn on your AC.. better yet, don't use it..

Ceiling fans.. less than 1 penny per day to run.. much more efficient

Line Dry your clothes -- save BUNCHES!!

Turn off TV, VCR, etc... who needs them anyway?

Ditch the Iron and any electircal appliances you use for your hair.. have you ever watched the power meter while while you are drying your hair?

Take Shorter Showers, wash clothes in cold water

hand wash dishes instead of dishwasher

Make sure any gaps are closed... for example Calk areas on the exterior that leak.... put rolled up towels under drafty doors to outside...

Use Light colored shears behind your drapes.... believe me our grandmas had it made with those behind the drapes sheers... it makes a huge difference.... especially in white polyester... it traps the heat to the gap between the shear and the window and reflects it back out... while still allowing soft light thru... WONFDERFUL

Cook outside on the grill

Answer 12

turn everything that is electric off .

bye

here are a 101 Ways To Live More Ecologically,may be you find something that applies to you about elctrics



1. Avoid disposable in favor of reusable

items.

2. Avoid drying rags in a clothes dryer.

3. Avoid power appliances when handpower works.

4. Avoid highly processed foods.

5. Avoid using styrofoam—it can't be recycled.

6. Avoid watering driveways and sidewalks.

7. Be responsible and creative with leftover foods.

8. Buy in bulk goods to reduce wasted packaging.

9. Buy energy efficient electric appliances.

10. Buy foods without additives.

11. Buy foods without preservatives.

12. Buy food and goods from sources you trust

13. Buy large quantities to reduce shopping trips.

14. Buy living Christmas trees.

15. Buy locally grown food and produce.

16. Buy organic, pesticide-free foods.

17. Compost your food scraps.

18. Discover and protect watersheds in your area,

19. Don't burn trash or other smoky materials.

20. Drain cooking grease onto paper bags, not paper towels.

21. Drive a fuel-efficient car.

22. Drive less: walk, bicycle, carpooland use public transportation.



23. Eat foods low on the food chain; avoid meat.

24. Eat more natural, nutritious foods.

25. Educate elected representatives on ecology.

26. Exercise regularly.

27. Explore and learn about your bioregion.

28. Grow your own food, even a small amount.

29. Hang dry some or all of your clothes.

30. Heat your home less and wear warmer clothes.

31. Heat your home more with renewable energies.

32. Hold a potluck dinner to discuss local ecology.

33. If you use a dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle.

34. Install a water-conserving device in your toilets.

35. Install a water-conserving showerhead.

36. Insulate your home to maximum efficiency.

37. Invest for social responsibility as well as profit.

38. Invest in solar power, where practical.

39. Invest in well-made, long-lived clothing.

40. Keep hazardous chemicals in safe containers.

41. Keep appliance motors well adjusted for efficiency.

42. Mend and repair rather than discard and replace.

43. Oppose meddling in ecological balance.

44. Oppose private development of special areas.

45. Oppose roadside use of defoliants.

46. Organize or join a neighborhood toy exchange.



47. Pick up litter along streets and highways.

48. Plant native trees and shrubs around your home.

49. Plant trees throughout your community.

50. Plant your living Christmas tree.

51. Practice preventive health care.

52. Practice responsible family planning.

53. Prepare only as much food as will be eaten.

54. Protect your favorite distinctive natural areas.

55. Purchase goods in reusable/recyclable containers.

56. Put a catalytic converter on your wood stove.

57. Put toxic substances out of reach of children.

58. Recycle aluminum.

59. Recycle glass.

60. Recycle newspaper.

61. Recycle old clothes.

62. Recycle plastic.

63. Recycle used motor oil.

64. Recycle your unneeded items.

65. Re-use paper bags.

66. Re-use plastic bags for storage and waste.

67. Save up for full loads in clothes washers.

68. Save up for full loads in dishwasher.

69. Shop by phone, then go pick up your purchases.

70. Speak out about your values in community groups.

71. Support efficient energy sources in your bioregion.

72. Support elected representatives on ecological issues.

73. Support energy conservation in your bioregion.



74. Support global ecological improvement efforts.

75. Support local credit unions.

76. Support local merchants before large chains.

77. Support neighborhood food cooperatives.

78. Support proper waste water and sewage treatment.

79. Support the cultural diversity in your bioregion.

80. Support the plants and animals in your community.

81. Take shorter showers.

82. Teach your children ecological wisdom.

83. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater.

84. Turn off the lights when not needed.

85. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.

86. Use biodegradable soaps and detergents.

87. Use cloth diapers.

88. Use cloth table napkins.

89. Use less tapwater whenever possible.

90. Use non-toxic pest control.

91. Use only medications you trust/understand.

92. Use rags or towels instead of paper.

93. Use rechargeable batteries.

94. Use the second side of paper for scratch paper.

95. Use water from cooking vegetables to make soup.

96. Volunteer for work in a community garden.

97. Volunteer to maintain local parks and wilderness.

98. Wash clothes in cold water.

99. Wash dishes in still, not running water.

100. Weather-seal your home.

101. Work to unlearn poor ecological habits.



http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/1996/ip960321...

Answer 13

Turn off the air!Turn everyhting off when you aren't using it.I've even heard that unplugging can help!And in the summer, keep the shades drawn to keep out the sun and keep it cooler inside!I like the suggestion to put the bill in the neighbors mail box-LOL!

Answer 14

Be more conservative with your usage. Try doing laundry all on the same day or better yet hang them outside. The sun is a natural sanitizer and gets your whites really bright. Turn your air up when you're not home. Take tepid showers not hot ones. Try to avoid using the stove so much because it will heat your house up. Run ceiling fans. Takes some pressure off the ac and it doesn't run as much. Buy some black out shades or keep your blinds closed.

Answer 15

75 watt equivalent CFLs use 20 watts of power.

the 60 watt equivalent use 14 watts of power.

need i say more?

Answer 16

Turn off your computer.

Answer 17

Open your windows for light and air. Get a fan if you don't have one already. I don't use my air conditioner at all during the day (yeah I know it's weird because it's colder at night but I can't sleep without tundra-like conditions). Make the most out of your laundry loads and dishwasher loads instead of using it for one or two items. Use the energy saver dryer on the dishwasher instead of heated dry and use a cold water detergent for the washing machine. If you can, hang a clothes line and air dry clothes when you can. Keep the lights off and if you can use them without getting headaches switch to CFL bulbs, but be careful not to break them and ask the store how to dispose of them (they contain mercury). Try to not use the oven often. You can pick up an elecric burner (about 10 bucks) for boiling water, pasta, etc and it will save a lot of electricity. Remember to turn off lights and the A/C when you leave the house. And ease yourself into taking colder showers.

Whoever said to get rid of hair dryer, iron etc...DREAM ON!!!

Answer 18

turn off all the lights.