If you wish to lower your electric bill then you need to look at your heating costs. If you live in a cold climate then your heating costs could account for almost as much as 45% of your electric bill. One thing you can do to lower your electric bill is to adjust the thermostats accordingly. Set thermostats to a comfortable temperature but don’t overheat your home. When you go to work during the day it does not hurt to lower the thermostat one or two degrees. If you go away for a weekend or a week’s vacation then turn it down anywhere from five to 10 degrees.
Anyone who has pets or plants would be well advised to buy a programmable thermostat for their home. Those who travel frequently would also be well advised to buy such a thermostat. A programmable thermostat is not cheap- it costs in the area of $75 to $200- but it is a worthwhile investment. The thermostat will easily pay for itself in less than 12 months. According to Energy Star, using a programmable thermostat can save you an estimated $180 a year
Other suggestions for ways to lower your electric bill include:
-Make sure that all of your heating vents are unobstructed. Check to see that they are not blocked by carpeting or furniture.
-If you have a fireplace then make sure you keep the damper closed when you do not have a fire going. Heat can very easily escape by way of the chimney when the fireplace is not in use.
-Speaking of fireplaces, only use yours on the coldest nights. Do not make a regular habit of using the fireplace because fires actually take heat away from the room they are in.
-Fans in your bathroom and kitchen need to work hard to do their job and should only be used when it is necessary. One hour of being on is enough for them to expel a tremendous amount of warm air in your home. Limit your usage as much as possible.
-Change the filter on your furnace every few months. Your furnace will run better if it has a clean air filter. If air has to push through a filter that is clogged this can use up a great deal of energy. A clean filter also means that the air circulating in your home is cleaner and healthier.
Regardless of whether you have an air conditioner that sits in a window or central air conditioning, there are ways to lower your electric bill and still remain cool during the sweltering months. Read on for some suggestions for keeping your cool:
If you decide to buy central air conditioning, choose one that has a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 13 or more. If you reside in a warm climate then buy at least a number 14. When it comes to room air conditioners, you need to buy one with an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 11 and up.
When shopping for an air conditioning unit for the window, chose one that is suitable based on the room’s size and the number of windows in the room. Which directions the windows face towards is also significant to your decision. Bigger is not necessarily better. If you buy an AC unit that is too large for the room then it will cost you more because the unit has to work twice as hard.
Regular maintenance on your air conditioning unit is an important way to lower your electric bill. At the start of every cooling season have the unit inspected by a professional service. During the cooling season you can do your part as well. On a monthly basis, change the filter for optimum use.
Depending on where you live and the climate, the two things in your home that use up the most energy are the heating system and the air conditioning system. If you currently have an AC that is older and has a SEER number that is 8 or less you are contributing to a higher energy bill. To lower your electric bill, purchase a more energy efficient AC with a higher SEER number.
Your air conditioning condenser should be placed in a shady area where it has plenty of space to get rid of the heated air that it takes out of the house. Make sure nothing is obstructing it from doing its job.
With the state of the economy the way it is, everyone is looking to find ways to save money. One common concern is how to find ways to lower your electric bill. If you are not sure how to go about lowering your electric bill then read on for some helpful money saving suggestions in relation to your major appliances and your lights.
Help Me to Lower My Electric Bill!
In order to lower your electric bill the first thing you should do is take a close look at your major appliances including your refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer. These appliances use up a great deal of electricity and even more so when they are not working as they should be. If there is a problem with one of your larger appliances then either get it repaired or replace it. Soaring costs in electricity can often be traced back to an appliance that is not running properly.
If any of your major appliances (this includes any air conditioners you may have in your home) is any more than 10 to 15 years old then it is time for you to think about upgrading to newer models. This is one of the best ways to lower your electric bill. The appliances that are up-to-date with today’s modern technology are expected to conform to Energy Star efficiency. These appliances can help to greatly lower your electric bill because they are on average 10 to 20 % cheaper to run than are other appliances.
When it comes to lights, lower your electric bill by turning them off when you leave a room. Do not leave lights on for no reason. Lights are a terrible waste of electricity. You might want to replace lighting that is non-essential in your home with fluorescent lights. While fluorescent lightbulbs are pricier to buy, they are worth it in terms of how much they can lower your electricity bill. Bear this in mind- a single standard incandescent lightbulb is equivalent in cost to six to 10 fluorescent bulbs. The other good news about fluorescent bulbs is that they will provide you with 10 times the lasting power of standard lightbulbs.