Eight ways to save money on your electric bill
- by Anna Sattler (RSS feed) on Dec 19th 2007 10:00AM
- Filed under miscellaneous, electrical, staying green, lighting
I am tired of paying my high monthly electric bill, especially in the winter time when I have to use my clothes dryer instead of being able to hang the clothes on the line to dry in the summer breeze. I keep trying little ways to lower my energy costs, and you can too.Gomestic gives us eight ways to save money on our electric bill. Using simple strategies, such as turning the light off when we leave a room, hanging our clothes up to dry instead of using the clothes dryer in the winter time, unplugging any appliances when not in use, and switching to high efficiency light bulbs can reduce our electric bills to a manageable, payable amount. Simply getting our kids to turn off the television when they are using the computer can save some pennies on your dreaded bill.
If you are really desperate to reduce your electric bill and are tired of having to write an insanely high check each month, check out Dan Chilton's post on how to cut your electric bill in half.
Comments [92]
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 5)
12-20-2007 @ 9:47AM
rob said...
thanks for the heads up
12-21-2007 @ 11:23AM
ilsegraham said...
im 82 never slept in a heated room in my life.we put a warm waterbotle in the bed.the cold air is very healthy for you to breeze in .you well never have a headache try it ilse
12-21-2007 @ 2:44PM
joe dee said...
We should all be aware of the dangers of the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) around us and of the associated dangers. There is a good book on this subject "The Invisible Threat - The Risks Associated With EMFs" by Dr. Howard W. Fisher (available at Amazon.com). Further, you can reduce the harmful EMFs (by up to 85%) in your home or office by installing "XGuard EMF Filters" available at http://www.cuturbill.com
12-20-2007 @ 9:40AM
Marc said...
Or better yet, Lumbee74, invest in a tankless water heater. It's a little more expensive than a tank, but pays for itself in a couple of years with the energy savings.
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12-20-2007 @ 10:03AM
snoogle.dude said...
Best way to save money on your electric bill is do do what our ancestors did and burn candles or use oil lamps ..plus they put out a small amount of heat too so that does save some cents on the heat bill as well...
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12-20-2007 @ 10:00AM
julie said...
Sleep with your dogs to keep you warm at night. I turn down the heat to 60 at night and am kept warm by my furry friends! I am actually too hot at night with 4 dogs crammed in the bed with me.
Adopt a shelter/rescue dog today. www.petfinder.com
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12-20-2007 @ 1:20PM
Taylor said...
Some of you remember the 70's group "Three Dog Night". I've read that their name refers to cold nights, and sleeping with dogs. I always thought that was cleaver.
Also glad to read that I'm not the only one that sleeps with multiple pups :) We had quite a storm last night, it was a "Four Dog Night"
Happy Holidays!
12-20-2007 @ 2:00PM
Jay said...
you forget the added expenses for having a pet, food, shots, vet, and boarding if you go away and are unable to take the pet with you.
12-21-2007 @ 12:29PM
2Sunshine said...
The cost of caring for a dog is A Lot per year.
12-20-2007 @ 10:08AM
sherry said...
Yah Julie! I also have 4 big dogs I sleep with to keep me warm. They hog the bed but wouldn't trade 'em for the world!! Don't breed 'em if you can't feed 'em.
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12-20-2007 @ 1:53PM
David said...
You sleep with dogs?
12-20-2007 @ 10:16AM
Kim said...
Turning off the water heater sounds like such a great idea to save money.
The only question is, will it mess up the hot tub? The hot tub is on a completely different breaker and when not in use, I turn that down to 80.
I only use my dryer from Dec. to April to save as well.
My husband REFUSES to believe me about unplugging things!
I unplug stuff and he goes right behind me and plugs them back in! It's a never ending cycle because he is so damn stubborn! :(
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12-20-2007 @ 11:34AM
Sandy said...
Candles? Fire Hazard if you have pets or kids.
Unplugging items? We turn off the strip to the tv/cable/vcr/games/dvd (why do you need 5 clocks!?) and it dropped 30-40 off our bill each month!!! Tell your husband to at least do it for one month and see if there is a difference, I guarantee you he will eat his words.
Dogs? Um the food bill would be higher than my electric.
BEST THING WE EVER DID... Replace all regulary bulbs with the energy savers, I am not kidding it dropped our old bill from 120 to 40 and our new house's 320 dollar bill to 125 dollars. If you do nothing else do that.
12-20-2007 @ 10:24AM
Kim said...
Snoogle,
Lanterns, which we have, and candles are great, except with furkids flying around playing. I'm more scared of a fire then the electric bill.
"I think." lol
My husband just emits heat while he sleeps so that helps and I snuggle with the dogs too.
Electric payments are just outrageous right now!!
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12-20-2007 @ 10:34AM
David said...
Forget about lights! Go for the big energy waste when hot water goes down the drain. To cut down on this, use shorter and fewer showers. Also leaving bath and sink water to stand until cold in winter will keep the heat in the house and help the humidity. If you have an off peak water heater, turn UP the off peak thermostat and try to use your hot water in the evening.
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12-20-2007 @ 10:35AM
Bea said...
For those of you with limited income or unfortunate enough to have no power because of downed electric lines try this old useful way of sleeping warm. Keeping your feet warm is key.
1. Heat a brick or some rocks in a bar b que for several hours.
2. Wrap this brick in several layers of old newspaper.
3. To keep bedding clean then insert this bundle in a plain brown bag.
Put this bundle under the covers at the feet. You will be amazed to find that in the morning the package is still a bit warm.
I personally slept this way as a child on a porch in cold country and I have kept many a new puppy or children warm in the same manor.
Also works well when camping.
Caution against getting the brick or large rock to hot. Usually place on the outer edge of a fire, not in the fire, for several hours.
If inclined add a dog to the bed but a word to the wise, it will try to hog all the warm package. Works great if you can get your feet between the dog and the package.
If you have just baked throw some bricks it the oven when you are through for about an hour and then wrap. Best of both worlds, warm inside and out. Have a Warm and Merry Christmas.
Also uncooked whole kernal corn, rice or beans tied in a cloth bag such as an old pillow case works well and is a bit softer for the shoulders.
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12-20-2007 @ 10:51AM
laughing so hard at ans and the creepyhks said...
I have very long hair which totally wastes hot/warm water. Recently, I have been sink washing with the sprayer and able to turn the water on and off as needed, especially during conditioning. Then I can blast in and out of the regular shower. I've noticed that it does help save.
I'd really like some back-up on the unplugging of unnecessary items. Like his PS2. It's always plugged in but rarely used, so why keep it plugged in?
Same with lamps and appliances. He freaks when I unplug things and I don't get it at all. He should be happy I'm trying to save!
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12-20-2007 @ 11:09AM
tjtoth said...
Tiberious Nero says: Your light company is charging you about 14 cents per kilowatt hour. They make this kilowatt for less than one quarter per cent. A fair and resonable charge would be one penny per kilowatt hour. These Electric co. are just like the politicians just plain crooked. The politicians could care less they do not pay light bills. We the tax paying public need to form a new government.
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12-20-2007 @ 11:19AM
SCARLET said...
PET PEEVE IS: WHEN SOMEONE TURNS ON THE DISHWASHER WHEN IT IS NOT FULL. WHAT A WASTE OF ELECTRICITY AND THE DETERGENT. PLUS YOU CAN`T LOAD THE DIRTY DISHES CAUSE THE CLEAN ONE`S IN THERE NOW.
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12-20-2007 @ 11:13AM
SCARLET said...
OR PEOPLE THAT PUT FURNITURE IN FRONT OF RADIATORS
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