Electricity often accounts for a large proportion of a household utility bill. So getting started implementing the following tips to cut your electricity spending:
1. Use smaller electric appliances when possible
Cook using a toaster oven or a microwave instead of the traditional oven. Boil water using electric kettle instead of a stove. Use a portable heater to warm up a room instead of turning on the electric-based central heating system for the whole house. Those are just a few examples of alternatives to the big electric appliance for saving money and energy.
2. Unplug electric gadgets or appliances when they are not in use
You might think keeping them plugged won’t generate any electricity cost. However, the truth is they are quietly draining electricity and adding more to your bill. According to the Department of Energy, leaving your cable box plugged in without turning it for a year would cost $17.83. Unplugging those household appliances (with a few exceptions, such as a refrigerator will effectively cut standby power.
3. Turn down the water heater
You can lower your heater temperature from the pre-set 140° to 120° and still feel comfortable. It is estimated that setting your water heater at 140° or higher can waste about $36 to $61 annually in standby heat losses and more than $400 in demand losses.
4. Switch to energy-efficient lighting
Compact fluorescent light (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are great choices to reduce the costs for lighting in your home. Even though the LED bulbs are more expensive than regular incandescent ones, they tend to be longer lasting and more energy efficient.
5. Only use dishwasher when it is fully loaded
Regardless how full (or how empty) your dishwasher is, it will use pretty much the same amount of energy and water. Loading it up to the maximum capacity is to make the most use of energy.
6. Skip dryer and hang clothes to dry
Do you know that for an average household, a clothes dryer accounts for 12% of electricity bill? Some people may think using a clothesline is too old fashioned, but air drying cloth can save you $196 per year.
Related articles on saving money on utilities:
- Six Great Gadgets that Save you Money on Electricity
- 7 Simple Ways to Air Seal your Home to Save on Energy
- How I Saved $500 a Year on Utilities by Making 2 Phone Calls
