electric bill

34 Smart Ways to Cut Your Electric Bill

Dr Penny Pincher — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 08:30:15 +0000

I was pleasantly surprised to see that my February natural gas bill was only $65 — which isn't bad for heating an entire house during an Iowa winter. But my electric bill for the month was over $100. There must be some things I can do to use less electricity and lower my bill. (See also: 8 Ways You're Wasting Electricity Without Realizing It)

One way to save money on your bill is to change your behavior and pay more attention to your usage of electricity — no investment required. Another way is to install some upgrades. These involve spending money on projects, and investments to improve the energy efficiency of your home and lower your utility bills every month. (See also: 10 Ways Anyone Can Go Solar and Save on Energy)

Here are some smart things you can do to use less electricity and start saving money on your electric bill.

1. Turn off auxiliary heating devices

I was using a space heater to keep some plants warm, but this ran up my electric bill. I'll use more efficient heating pads instead.

2. Enjoy some nonelectric evenings

Every once in awhile, switch off the circuit breaker and have an evening with no electricity. Break out the flashlights, candles, books, and board games. You don't have to wait for Earth Hour to turn out the lights and save money on electricity.

3. Dry clothes outside

Weather permitting, you can hang laundry outside to dry instead of running an energy-intensive dryer.

4. Turn up central A/C temperature

Turn up your thermostat a few degrees to run your central air conditioner less.

5. Use someone else's electricity

Turn off the lights, appliances, and air conditioning at your house and go somewhere else. You could go to the library or work at a coffee shop.

6. Use your ceiling fans correctly

Run ceiling fans to make rooms comfortable with less energy than running A/C. Set the ceiling fan direction for the correct season — in summer, a ceiling fan should rotate counterclockwise when viewed from below.

7. Use fans, open windows

Use box fans or oscillating fans to cool occupied spaces and run central A/C less on hot days. Open windows at night to take advantage of cool air. (See also: 5 Best Fans)

8. Turn off unused lights

Get in the habit of turning off lights when leaving a room. It's easy enough to turn the lights back on if they are needed again.

9. Turn off unused electronics

Turn off computers, game consoles, and TVs when no one is using them. (See also: The Cost of Standby Power)

10. Run full loads

Run full loads in your dishwasher, clothes washer, and clothes dryer for maximum efficiency.

11. Use cold water

Reduce your use of hot water in your clothes washer, and select cold or warm water wash cycles instead whenever possible.

12. Run the clothes dryer at night

Run your clothes dryer and other energy intensive appliances at night if your electric utility provides an off-peak hours discount.

13. Clean lint trap on clothes dryer

Remove lint from the lint trap on your clothes dryer to maximize airflow and minimize energy use.

14. Turn off the dry cycle on your dishwasher

Instead of using a heated dry cycle, I simply open the dishwasher door and let dishes air dry.

15. Install LED light bulbs

I am replacing all of my incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs that provide great lighting and use a fraction of the electricity. (See also: Best Energy Efficient Bulbs)

16. Remove "extra" light bulbs

If a fixture has more light than you need, remove some of the bulbs so it will use less power.

17. Take advantage of water heater savings

Here are some ways to reduce electricity consumption for hot water:

Lower the temperature setting on your hot water tank.
Install an insulated jacket around the tank.
Insulate the first six feet of hot water supply pipe.

18. Sleep outside

It gets cool outside at night, even during the summer. You can take advantage of this by turning off your air conditioning and sleeping outside in a tent or on a screened-in porch.

19. Remove underutilized appliances

If you have an extra freezer or refrigerator in your garage that doesn't have much in it, consider getting rid of it to save a few dollars worth of electricity every month.

20. Skip the blow dryer for your hair

Blow dryers are loud and use a lot of power. They also dry out your hair over time, so use a towel to dry your hair instead.

21. Use a toaster oven

Use a toaster oven to heat up small items such as a sandwich or slice of pizza instead of firing up the full-sized oven.

22. Choose a flashlight over a night light

I keep an LED flashlight next to my bed instead of trying to light large areas of the house with nightlights that use electricity all night long.

23. Charge your gadgets at work

If there are outlets handy at the office, you might as well charge your phone, tablet, and laptop there instead of at home. (See also: Best Solar Chargers)

24. Use timers for holiday lights

I bought a digital timer to automatically turn my holiday lights off and on so they never run all night.

25. Change your furnace filter

You will get better airflow and spend less on central A/C if you change your furnace filter every few months.

26. Think broom, not vacuum cleaner

A broom is quiet and uses no electricity. I am trying to break my habit of reaching for the vacuum cleaner to clean up every mess in my shop.

27. Upgrade motion detectors

Install motion detectors on outside lights to prevent leaving lights on.

28. Install Energy Star appliances

Make energy efficiency a top criterion when selecting new appliances.

29. Choose a high efficiency A/C

If you have an older central A/C unit, you may be able to cut your cooling cost significantly by replacing it with a more energy efficient model.

30. Make sure you have insulated windows

Replace leaky or single pane windows with double or triple pane windows charged with inert gas to reduce A/C cost.

31. Install a programmable thermostat

You can install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust A/C temperature when no one is home.

32. Add solar panels

Install solar panels to generate your own electricity and drastically cut your electric bill. In some locations, you may even be able to sell any excess electricity that you generate. (See also: Cut Your Electric Bill With Solar Panels)

33. Install a skylight or light pipe

If the sun is shining outside, you can bring free light in from outside using a skylight or light pipe.

34. Bicycle generator

You can generate your own electricity to run electronic devices and even some appliances by using a bicycle generator.

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This article is from Dr Penny Pincher of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

15 Easy Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill

Ashley Marcin — Tue, 27 May 2014 08:12:24 +0000

My family is looking to move into a new house in the near future. With all the added rooms and exciting DIY projects on the horizon, I realize we'll also need to more carefully watch our utilities costs. More space equals more places to heat, plug in lamps, and otherwise use electricity. (See also: 4 Ways to Win the War With Your Electric Bill This Summer)

Whether you live in a small studio apartment or a sprawling McMansion, there are some smart, easy ways you can cut down on your electric bill. And many of these tips are things you can implement today to garner savings immediately. As always, if you have more tips to share, please leave them in the comments!

1. Open and Close

For some of us, switching on lights is more habit than necessity. So, in the daylight, avoid using lamps and other illuminating devices. Instead, open blinds to let the sun flood in. On the other hand, you can keep a home considerably cooler on hot days by closing curtains. I know this from personal experience! Before hitting high on your AC unit, you might want to try this trick.

2. Set the Bar

Have you looked at your water heater lately? Chances are your temperature might be set above the energy efficient suggestion of 120 degrees (or often marked "warm" or as a triangle on your heater's settings). If you need scalding hot water for tea or cooking, heat it on the stove.

3. Maintain It

Something as silly as a dirty furnace filter can cost you money when it comes to heating costs. The same goes with any other machine or component you must maintain. Plus, keeping your operations up-to-date is safer than neglecting them, and it may extend the life of the appliance — meaning even bigger savings. (See also: Make Your Fridge Last Forever)

4. Unplug Yourself

This tip is twofold: Unplug your electronics when they're not in use — including battery chargers and power adapters — they still suck power from outlets and power strips even when off. Better yet, truly unplug by heading outdoors to read a book or to exercise. Totally free!

5. Negotiate

Take stock of your bills from the past year and see if you can strike a deal with your provider(s). You may also explore spreading out your costs so they are the same each month versus fluctuating seasonally to help make your budget more predictable. Don't be shy to shop around if there's more than one electric provider in your area.

6. Shift Your Day

While you're at it, ask your provider if there are "off peak" or "time-of-use" rates or times of the day when electricity costs less. You can choose to do your laundry, blow-dry your hair, cook a great meal, wash your dishes, or do any other task at the cheaper rate.

7. Slow the Flow

I think we all remember the "Seinfeld" episode with the superintendent switches out the showerheads to low flow. If you're really into pinching pennies, swapping yours out can mean less water to heat over the course of your shower. Limiting yourself to a shorter shower, too, is another drop in the bucket.

8. Upgrade Your Thermostat

When we had to upgrade to a new furnace (ouch!), our contractor also updated us to a programmable thermostat. By setting designated temperatures for night and day, we have definitely saved money. Plus, now I don't have to remember to adjust the temperature every night before bed.

9. Survey Bulbs

By now I think most of us are familiar with compact fluorescent bulbs as a great alternative to conventional incandescents. But did you know there are other energy efficient options like LED? A little extra money up front can mean up to $40 to $135 per bulb over a bulb's lifetime.

10. Put Your Laptop to Sleep

Enable your computer's energy savings features, they could save you upwards of $30 each year on electricity costs per computer. Sounds like an insignificant amount, but it's still your money and a super simple fix.

11. Put a Damper on Things

If your home features a fireplace, be sure to close the flue when its not in use. Otherwise the outdoor air, whether hot or cold, will infiltrate your home and suck energy (to adjust your home's temperature) along with it.

12. Fan Yourself

No matter the time of year, ceiling fans can be useful for inexpensive temperature control. In the summer, run them on low to keep air flow up and air-conditioning costs down. In the winter, use the switch to reverse the blades to draw warm air down into a room from the ceiling.

13. Cook Smart (I)

Use the correct sized burners when heating up a tea kettle or dinner on the stove. For example, using a "six-inch pan on an eight-inch electric burner can waste more than 40% of the heat produced."

14. Cook Smart (II)

While you're at it, resist the urge to check on baked goods by opening the door, which can drop the temperature by up to 25 degrees. If you need to use your appliance's self-cleaning option, try planning it after cooking a meal to use less energy heating to the highest temperatures.

15. Switch It Off

And one of the simplest ways to save money on your electric bill is to always remember to turn off lights or other electronic devices when you're leaving a room. It sounds ridiculously easy, but it can take some getting used to for the whole family. You may wish to place a reminder note at each switch as a first step in the right direction.

How do you conserve energy and keep your electric bill in check? Please share in comments!

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Cut Your Electricity Bill

Ashley Jacobs — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:00:32 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some stellar articles on ways to cut your electricity bill, entertaining yourself for free or cheap, and ovecoming your financial fears.

Best Money Tips: Save Money on Your Electric Bill

Ashley Jacobs — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:00:21 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some great articles on saving money on your electric bill, how to create a spending plan, and earning extra money.

News & Events

The Consumerism Commentary Podcast — The Consumerism Commentary Podcast gets published on Sunday. Be sure to check it out!

Be sure to check out our News & Events Calendar to see all the awesome upcoming events in the personal finance world!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

4 Ways to Win the War Against This Summer’s Electric Bill

Linsey Knerl — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:24:52 +0000

Energy increases are common this time of year, and with many families already struggling to pay the utility bills, it can seem more burdensome than ever. There’s no one-size-fits-all method to kicking your increase to the curb, but these four tips are sure to put a sizeable dent in next month’s “total amount due.”

Avoid the A/C – Yes, I said it. I wasn’t too popular when my first Wise Bread post suggested that consumers leave it out of their summer routine, but no one can deny the negative energy impact (and wallet distress) that the window A/C or whole-home cooling unit can bring. If you’ve managed to make it this far into the season without turning it on, read my tips for keeping it off a bit longer. If you’ve already turned it on for the year and are rethinking that payout of $40-180 a month for cold air, there’s still time to make some adjustments to your routine. It’s not for everyone (especially those in certain climates and at risk for health complications), but many of us grew up without air-conditioning. We can probably get by without it in a pinch, and for those who are finding it hard to put food on the table, it’s a decision that should be seriously considered.

Attack the other Major Offenders – With the air-conditioning issue already addressed, you can look forward to systematically tackling the other energy suckers in your home. Common ones include electric clothes dryers, electric stoves, and your water heater. While no one is suggesting that you quit using them altogether, adjustments can be made to positively affect that utility bill, and many of these habits are complimentary to warmer weather behavior. Some things I do specifically in the higher-rate months include:

Replace my electric clothes dryer with a Spin Dryer and a clothes line. (I’m still mastering the art of this, and crunchy towels are common. I love the >$15 a month in savings, however, and my clothes are lasting much longer!)
Skip the stove. If I can’t BBQ outside (which is a flavor-enhancing summer hobby I love, anyway), I choose the crock pot, instead. Slow-cooking is a delicious way to make cheaper meats more flavorful, and clean up is a breeze. (My kitchen doesn’t get as hot, either, allowing me to keep my A/C off even longer!)
Wash clothes on cold. My “green” friends are doing this anyway, and with the exception of truly mucky farm clothes, we find it to be just as effective as washing with warm. By keeping showers brief and letting my dishwasher handle my cleanup (with a shorter cycle), I’m using my hot water heater much less. (Those of you with “time of use” rates might want to consider putting your water heater on a timer, so that you’re heating your water when it is cheapest.)
Using power strips with smart controls. It’s not enough to have a power strip plugged in if you’re too lazy to turn it off. My power strips all have master outlets that control the others. (When my PC is off, for example, the printer, speakers, and fax machine turn off, too!) The Lazy Environmentalist, Josh Dorfman, recently told me about remote-controlled power strips. They might be worth checking out!

For additional information on some of the gadgets you can use to identify the energy wasters in your home, see my Green Your Home with Tech: Electricity over at Tom’s Guide.

Pay Your Bill On Time – This one should be a no-brainer, but it amazes me how close I come to the due date every month! Because my electric bill is one of my most expensive home costs, and my utility company is the only bill that doesn’t offer an online payment method, I find that it almost slips my mind each month. Late charges will vary by provider: Some charge only a percentage of your bill, others can slap on a $15 fee or higher. Because electricity is something you can’t do without, it’s easier to pay that fee than to argue – so be sure you get that bill paid on time! (Many utility companies offer level payment plans, so look into this if you find that it’s harder to pay during certain months of the year, or check into non-profit assistance programs in your area.)

Bribe the Kids – I admit to motivating my kids with money from time to time. Since I pay the electric bill, it pains me to see lights left on, the TV buzzing in an empty room, and an unattended dryer lint trap. It does me no good to run around the home and trying to undo all the wastefulness of my children, so why not have them see what I see? Currently, my husband has offered my daughter 20 cents on every dollar of savings over last month’s electric bill. She is VERY excited about the opportunity, and I see her dutifully turning off lights and appliances around the house each day. Sure, I could pocket all the savings for myself, but would there be much to save if I had to do it alone?

Tackling the electric bill is a high-priority in many homes this year. I have just experienced a 7% rate increase, and there’s speculation of more straining energy costs in the near future. Take some time to learn about your energy use, make some adjustments, and keep doing what works. You really only need electricity when you’re using it… so be diligent about conserving it when you’re not.

This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

electric bill

34 Smart Ways to Cut Your Electric Bill

1. Turn off auxiliary heating devices

2. Enjoy some nonelectric evenings

3. Dry clothes outside

4. Turn up central A/C temperature

5. Use someone else's electricity

6. Use your ceiling fans correctly

7. Use fans, open windows

8. Turn off unused lights

9. Turn off unused electronics

10. Run full loads

11. Use cold water

12. Run the clothes dryer at night

13. Clean lint trap on clothes dryer

14. Turn off the dry cycle on your dishwasher

15. Install LED light bulbs

16. Remove "extra" light bulbs

17. Take advantage of water heater savings

18. Sleep outside

19. Remove underutilized appliances

20. Skip the blow dryer for your hair

21. Use a toaster oven

22. Choose a flashlight over a night light

23. Charge your gadgets at work

24. Use timers for holiday lights

25. Change your furnace filter

26. Think broom, not vacuum cleaner

27. Upgrade motion detectors

28. Install Energy Star appliances

29. Choose a high efficiency A/C

30. Make sure you have insulated windows

31. Install a programmable thermostat

32. Add solar panels

33. Install a skylight or light pipe

34. Bicycle generator

Like this article? Pin it!

15 Easy Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill

1. Open and Close

2. Set the Bar

3. Maintain It

4. Unplug Yourself

5. Negotiate

6. Shift Your Day

7. Slow the Flow

8. Upgrade Your Thermostat

9. Survey Bulbs

10. Put Your Laptop to Sleep

11. Put a Damper on Things

12. Fan Yourself

13. Cook Smart (I)

14. Cook Smart (II)

15. Switch It Off

Like this article? Pin it!

Best Money Tips: Cut Your Electricity Bill

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

Best Money Tips: Save Money on Your Electric Bill

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

News & Events

4 Ways to Win the War Against This Summer’s Electric Bill