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.

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