by Maria C Collins

Created on: February 24, 2009   Last Updated: January 26, 2010

In many countries the price of electricity has risen considerably recently. In these straightened and worrying times, it makes sense not to waste power and to economize where possible. There are many things that you can do to save money so that your next electricity bill does not cause a family crisis.

Always turn off lights in unused rooms. In this regard, look into the possibility of replacing old-fashioned filament light bulbs with low-energy light bulbs or the new LED type of lamps. They use a great deal less electricity than the old-fashioned lamps.

Do not leave computers, televisions and other electrical equipment on stand-by. Each item only uses a little power but many stand-by lights added together soon mounts up. If you are skeptical, try this experiment; turn off all the appliances that have stand-by settings and go and look at your electric meter. Then go and switch them all onto stand-by and look at the meter again. The difference in the rate that the meter clocks up the units is patently apparent. The difference will be more pronounced the more appliances with a standby setting that you have.

The family wash is another opportunity for saving money on electricity. When you load your washing machine, ensure that you have a full load. Never put the washing machine on for one or two items. Only wash at the temperature that the clothes really need. Modern fabrics, for the most part, are washed at much lower temperatures than natural fabrics. Do not use a tumble drier when you can line dry outside, tumble driers use an enormous amount of electricity. Sunshine is free and gives your wash a fresh smell that nothing else does.

In the kitchen, too you can economize on electricity. Always ensure your dishwasher is full before you start it up. If you have an electric kettle, only put the amount of water in that you need. If you want to boil water for two mugs of tea, or coffee, you do not need to fill a 3-litre kettle right up. If you have an electric oven, try to plan your cooking so that you fill the oven and switch it off ten minutes before the end of the cooking time. Electric ovens take a long time to cool down.

If you have electric central heating, turn the thermostat down one degree. You will not notice the difference in heat, but your pocket will notice the difference when the electricity bill arrives.

These are just a few simple tips for reducing your electricity consumption. Once you begin doing some of these easy things, you will find others. Try them all and instead of dreading the arrival electricity bill, you will look forward to it coming to see just how much you have saved.

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