Save on Your Electric Bill

How to Save on Your Electric Bill

* Disconnect. Research has shown that when items are left plugged in, they continue to draw electricity even when they’re not in use. Get in the habit of unplugging the toaster, iron, and electronics. Make it easy on yourself by plugging the tv, vcr, dvr, and dvd player into a power strip, and simply turning the strip off when the electronics aren’t in use.

* Lights out. Make sure to turn off the lights and ceiling fans when leaving a room. Go one step better by not using any light bulbs during the day (light your home with day light).

* Fill ‘er up. Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when they’re full. Running the dishwasher to wash 5 plates or washing just one pair of the jeans in the washing machine uses just as much electricity as it would take to do a full load.

* Charge on the go. Use car chargers to charge your cell phones and PDAs while you’re driving.

* Watch on the small screen. Laptops use less electricity than televisions do. Use yours to watch your DVDs. You can even watch satellite tv on your PC or laptop.

* Shoot for the stars. Energy Stars, that is. If you have the funds, purchasing new kitchen appliances could really pay off in the long run. New technology allows Energy Star appliances to run more efficiently, using far less electricity than older models.

* Use your towel. Hair dryers are one of the biggest energy-suckers in your home. Towel- or air-dry your hair until its 90% dry before using your hair dryer.

* Hang ‘em high. Don’t use your dryer to dry all of your clothes. Hang dry what you can. If you don’t like to or are unable to hang your clothes outdoors, try using an indoor clothes line.

* Have a ball. Toss a pair of dryer balls in the dryer to cut down on dryer time. The nubby balls help toss your laundry around, creating space to allow for faster drying. An added benefit: they help soften and fluff your clothes. The company says that two pairs will cut drying time even more.

* Stock up. A full freezer uses less electricity, so be sure to keep your freezer stocked full. If you’re in between trips to the grocery store, fill plastic containers with water just to fill up the empty space.

* Cool off. Lowering the temperature on your hot water heater will save electricity. If you’re going on a trip, turn the hot water heater off completely.

Copyright © SeeMomSave.com, 2008