Cutting the Cost of Your Electric Bill

Are high electric bills effecting your budget? Below are some money savings tips to help cut the cost of your electric bill.

Heating and Air Conditioning
• Try to find a temperature that you are comfortable at both in the summer and the winter. The recommended temperature for the summer is 78 degrees. Each degree lower will add about 8% to your cost of electricity for air conditioning operation. In the winter keep your thermostat at 65 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night. This can cut your heating costs by 15%.
• Regular maintenance to your heating and cooling systems helps to cut down on overall costs. Make sure you to change the filters in your heating and cooling system every three months.
• Remember when you are not using the fire place to close the damper.
• Proper insulation storm windows and weather stripping will also keep your heating and cooling cost more economical.
• Always turn off lights when you leave a room.
• Keep the shades open during the winter if it is a sunny day to bring in extra warmth. Close them during the summer months to help keep your home cool.

Dishwasher
• Always make sure that you have a full load before you run the dishwasher.
• Air-dry your dishes instead of using the heated dryer.

Washing and Drying
• You do not have to wash your cloths in hot water to get them clean. Use cold and warm cycles whenever possible
• Make sure that your loads are full. One large load is cheaper then two small loads.
• Be careful when drying your cloths. Over drying not only wastes electricity but also wastes electricity.

Water Heating
• Setting your water heater to 120 degrees will help to save money.
• If your water heater is warm to the touch you can wrap the heater with an insulation blanket. These blankets are found at most hardware stores.
• You can also receive a free or affordable home energy audit from your local utility company. Energy audits can help you to reduce your costs even more. Your utility company does not even have to come to your home, you can receive free information over the phone or via the internet.

Range
• When using the stovetop make sure that the bottoms of the pans match the cooking element.
• Using toasters, plug in frying pans, or appliances are more cost efficient then your stove top for small meals.

Refrigerator and Freezer
• Try to reduce the times that you open and close your refrigerator.
• Keep the coils under your refrigerator free of dust. Check to make sure that the seal on the door of your refrigerator is properly working
• If possible replace your old refrigerator with one that has an ENERGY STAR label. This is label ensures that it is energy efficient. Replacing your old refrigerator will pay for it self in the long run by reducing your power bill.