We have all become so accustomed to taking electricity for granted. After all, it has certainly made our lives so much easier over the past century. What could be easier than turning on a switch and getting instant light, or plugging an electrical appliance or tool into the wall, making our work so much quicker and easier? Of course, without that wonderful invention of electricity, we wouldn't be able to use our computers!
However, electricity can be one of the biggest culprits when it comes to putting a dent in your household budget, especially with the ever-constant rise in rates by electric companies.
Many years ago, I decided to actually study my electric meter. It was one of those, where you could see a little cog turning (many homes today have digital meters, but I still have one of the older ones). Sometimes it would move very slowly, but other times it would rotate rather quickly. It dawned on me, that each revolution of this little cog was electricity AND money being used up. The faster the cog would turn, obviously, the more electricity we were consuming. I also noticed that it spun quite quickly when certain appliances were in use, or when many items were plugged in. This would definitely reflect on the next electric bill.
Being the economical and frugal consumer that I am, I decided right there and then to be more aware of how much electricity my family was using. I discovered many ways to cut down our consumption, thus saving substantially on those monthly expenses. As well, with global warming being such a huge concern these days, it's a good idea to be using less electricity anyway.
Here are some ways to save on your electric bill:
1) Never leave a television or radio running if no one is around to watch or listen. It may only cost pennies to leave these on, as they really don't use up that much electricity, but in time, it all adds up, and so do those pennies.
2) Turn off your computer and printer when they're not in use.
3) Unfortunately, electric clothes dryers use up the most electricity. Instead of using the clothes dryer, try hanging your laundry outside on a clothesline or rack. Not only will you save a substantial amount of money on your electric bill, your laundry will smell outdoors fresh as an added bonus.
4) Keep your water heater turned down to a manageable temperature. Use cold water whenever possible. In fact, there are many detergents on the market now that are specifically for cold water washing. Switch to these detergents and save money.
5) Only use the air conditioner when absolutely necessary. Other ways to keep your home cooled are by keeping all window blinds/drapes closed during the hottest times of the day. Close all windows as soon as the morning air begins to warm. This will trap the cooler night air in the house for a few hours more and you won't need to have your air conditioner running needlessly.
6) The oven can also be a huge culprit for electricity consumption. Never use the oven when cooking small amounts of food. You can either use a slow cooker, a toaster oven or skillet to prepare your meals. Smaller appliances take up less electricity, so should be utilized wherever/whenever possible.
7) If at all possible, use the grill (or barbeque) to prepare your daily meals in the summer months. Yes, you will be using propane, but a tank of propane can go a long way and will help you to save on using electricity by cooking in the house. It also prevents the house from becoming over heated when you do your cooking outdoors. Again, this can also save on the need to run the air conditioner.
8) It goes without saying, be in the habit of turning lights and appliances off when you leave a room.
9) When purchasing appliances, be sure that you are getting "energy saving" appliances. If at all possible, do not purchase older "used" appliances. You might save on the cost, but you are definitely adding more cost to your electricity consumption.
10) If you use a dishwasher, be sure to run it only when you have a full load. If you just have a few dishes to wash, try washing them by hand in the kitchen sink.
11) Use surge protectors on all your larger electronics, such as TV's and computers. When these are not in use, be sure to turn the surge protector on the "off" position. Also, never use the "standby" mode. This will ensure that no electricity is running through the lines.
12) Be sure that your electric panel is well wired and that your home's electrical wiring is up to code. Unfortunately, some older homes are quite outdated as far as electrical outlets and wiring are concerned. These should be updated and well within proper standards to meet the growing need of today's electrical use.
These are just a few ways that one can use less electricity, saving on their monthly bills, as well as protecting the environment. Each one, simple enough in itself, but added up, can be a huge benefit to the average household budget.