Electricity Saving Tips
The economy is recovering, but many people are still feeling the crunch of the last several years. If you're one of the many who is looking for money saving opportunities, look no further than your own home. Frugal options abound in most houses and chances are, you have a few places you can trim, including your electricity!
The average American home uses about 920 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month, which equates to approximately a $96 electricity bill. Despite the rising cost of electricity, there are things you can do to significantly lower your bill each month without spending a bunch of money on new appliances, windows, or upgrades to your home.
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First of all, sit down one night after all the chores are done and really consider your usage. While lights don't typically use too much electricity, every small area you can trim is that much more money in your pocket. Work on turning off the light each time you leave a room and consider doing some tasks during the day with just daylight. Think about moving your desk or workspace to a sunny location in your home, for instance, and take advantage of free sunlight! Small steps like turning off lights and water when not in use can really add up over time.
The main culprits of high electricity usage, however, are generally any items that generate heat or cold. Your refrigerator is perhaps the highest user of electricity besides your furnace, so make sure that you clean behind it regularly to keep the coils free of dust and debris. When you use your oven, think about making more than one meal at a time (ensuring that the items you make are all baked at the same temperature) and then reheating the food in the microwave at mealtimes. In the winter, you can even open your oven after you've turned it off and take advantage of the heat to warm the kitchen!
Your philosophy on heating and air conditioning can either cost you money or help you save. Be honest, if you're like most Americans, you either have heat or air conditioning turned on in your home most of the year, if not all of it. Instead, check the weather before you flip the switch. If it's going to be between sixty and eighty degrees, consider turning the climate control off for the day and opening the windows. Turning the thermostat down (heat) or up (air conditioning) a few degrees can radically impact your next electricity bill.
Check out this resource for more money saving tips.
