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How Do I save Money on My Electric Bill?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

If you want to save money on an electric bill on a consistent basis, it's important to rethink the power usage in your home. Even small things like wasted electricity from plugged-in appliances that are rarely used and running the dishwasher when it's not full can add up to big charges on an electric bill over time. Getting in the habit of not leaving lights or the television on when no one is in a room are other ways to save on power. Using energy-efficient products and looking for other ways to warm up before cranking the heat in the home are other important actions for seeing a lower electric bill. Also, you can use helpful money saving tools like Wikibuy and Trim to make sure you're spending as little as possible across your electric and other expenses

It's easy to get in the habit of just walking to the thermostat and flipping the lever to turn the heat up if a person feels a little chilly. Instead, to save on power costs, that action should be the last resort after first trying to get warm by adding layers of clothing or wrapping up in a blanket while sitting and reading or watching television. Another way to save money on an electric bill's heating portion is to keep heat in the home by opening the window coverings on sunny days, but closing them on chilly ones.

A programmable thermostat can reduce energy consumption.
A programmable thermostat can reduce energy consumption.

While purchasing energy efficient appliances is something you should do if you're in the market for new ones, there are still other, smaller, things you can do. You can switch to lower wattage bulbs that are also energy efficient. Using table or floor lamps rather than only the big overhead lights in a room can also help you save money on an electric bill. Air conditioning systems can use a lot of power and should be saved for when they are really needed.

You can lower your electric bill by making sure that the lights are turned off in unoccupied rooms.
You can lower your electric bill by making sure that the lights are turned off in unoccupied rooms.

Getting all the members of a household to think about how they use electricity and ways to save on it could possibly be enforced during regular family meetings. Letting everyone brainstorm ideas for how to save money on an electric bill can help foster communication about the subject and create more of a sense of involvement in the issue. It may help family members realize that even little things are actually a waste of power. Running only full laundry and dishwasher loads as well as taking shorter showers are other ways to save on the electric bill.

Unplugging electronics that are not in use can lower an electric bill.
Unplugging electronics that are not in use can lower an electric bill.

Although plugged-in appliances that are turned off take in only small amounts of electricity, it is wasted power and can add up in costs over time. Some households have many things that run on electricity that are rarely, if ever, used, but are still left plugged into electrical sockets. You could certainly save money on your electric bills in the long run by eliminating these sources of "phantom power."

Discussion Comments

Feryll

I agree with @Sporkasia and this article. You have to change your norm when it comes to ways to save energy. One summer when I was on a tight budget I decided not to use my air conditioning in my house.

The house was a small three room place and it had a ceiling fan in the TV room/bedroom. I had a sofa sleeper. I decided not to use the A/C after I turned it on a few times at the beginning of the summer and then I got my electric bill and it was more than double what I had been paying.

Not using the air wasn't uncomfortable once I got accustomed to not having it. I opened windows and the ceiling fan worked well. I also bought a small floor fan and I was fine. I was even better when the electric bill arrived each month. I was amazed at the difference not running the A/C made.

Sporkasia

All the little things mentioned in this article like shutting off lights, unplugging appliances and shutting off the TV can add up to savings on the electric bill. However, you probably aren't going to see a change that knocks you off your feet.

Sure, every little bit helps, but I think you have to do as this article talks about and make some real changes when you want to conserve energy and find ways to save money. Change the way you think about the energy you consume and make hard decisions to cut back.

For example, if you set your thermostat at 70 degrees during the winter, make a decision to lower the setting and stick with it. Like this article says, find other ways to stay warm. You don't have to run the heat on full blast simply because you can. Continue to lower the heat setting in small increments until you have gone as low as you can possibly go.

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    • A programmable thermostat can reduce energy consumption.
      By: Bill Bradford
      A programmable thermostat can reduce energy consumption.
    • You can lower your electric bill by making sure that the lights are turned off in unoccupied rooms.
      By: Olivier
      You can lower your electric bill by making sure that the lights are turned off in unoccupied rooms.
    • Unplugging electronics that are not in use can lower an electric bill.
      By: robootb
      Unplugging electronics that are not in use can lower an electric bill.
    • Switching to lower wattage light bulbs can help save money on an electric bill.
      By: Alvin Teo
      Switching to lower wattage light bulbs can help save money on an electric bill.
    • Using floor lamps, rather than the overhead lighting in a room can help save money on an electric bill.
      By: venusangel
      Using floor lamps, rather than the overhead lighting in a room can help save money on an electric bill.
    • Setting the thermostat to a cooler temperature during the winter and fall and to a higher temperature in the summer, especially when no one is home, can save energy.
      By: Mariusz Blach
      Setting the thermostat to a cooler temperature during the winter and fall and to a higher temperature in the summer, especially when no one is home, can save energy.
    • A simple way to cut home energy costs is to turn out lights in rooms when they are empty.
      By: Antonioguillem
      A simple way to cut home energy costs is to turn out lights in rooms when they are empty.