Easy ways to cut down on energy/electricity? I just found out my electric company is increasing by 50% in '07

Question

I already turn the heat way down when I'm gone during the day and at night (I bought warmer blankets). I always turn off the lights when I'm not there. I'm gonna try to remember to unplug my phone charger when not in use b/c I've heard that drains a little. Any other ideas?

I've heard phone charges are constantly running electricity since it has no on/off switch. It's on whether or not the phone is plugged in to it. My iPod charger always has a red light on which means there is a current running through it.

Answer 1

Turn the temp on your fridge and freezer up. Also filling your freezer with ice will make the refrigerator run less.

Some people leave their stereos and computers on Standby instead of turning them off. That can get costly.

Also they make a semi-fluorescent light bulb now, that is suppose to be more economical. It lasts longer and uses less energy, but they do cost about 3 times as much as a normal light bulb.

If your cell phone charger is plugged in with no phone hooked up, it shouldn't use electricity at all. without the phone hooked up it is an open circuit and electricity can't run through an open circuit.

Answer 2

If you have an electric water heater, try turning the thermostat down. Or better yet, if you own your own home, replace it with a natural gas heater, which is more efficient.

If you use a dishwasher, wait until you have a full load to run it. Same goes for clothes washers. Also, if you have your own clothes washer, you can put clothes like jeans, t-shirts in to wash, but the soap in and let the agitator run long enough to thoroughly soak the clothes with soapy water. Then turn it off and let the clothes sit overnight then in the morning, turn it back on and let it finish the wash cycle. The clothes will come out cleaner than if you just ran the cycle because soaking allows dirt particles to loosen more effectively than just using the agitator alone and you can use water that is less hot than you normally would.

As someone else pointed out, use a clothes line instead of a drier whenever possible. Besides saving energy, your clothes will last longer.

Answer 3

Our city has TWO utility companies. No two utilities are equal in efficiency. One has to be cheaper than the other. Consider relocating to a lower cost neighborhood.

What about moving to a more energy efficient home in the future?

The TV is a very big energy user; you could find other ways to be entertained. Your radio uses a tiny fraction by comparison. A book doesn't use any! And going for a walk saves energy too.

Your microwave and stove both use big amounts of juice. Consider how to make some meals without heating your food: salads, sandwiches, leftovers? Buy a cookbook! And then avoid cooking. LOL.

Clean the coils on your refrigerator! It will work more efficiently.

In winter, open the drapes in south-facing rooms to capture daytime heat from the sun. Close the drapes at sundown to hold the heat in.

In summer use low-E fans to move the inside air. Allow cool, nighttime air to enter the house; close the windows/doors several hours before the hotest part of the day.

Switch to low-E lightbulbs. Many only use one- tenth of regular incandecents.

Get out of the house more. You said you lower the thermostat when you're out; find more activities outside your home. Visit friends/relatives/shut-ins; volunteer in the neighborhood; use your bicycle for short trips.

Find a hobby that doesn't use electricity. Photography is nice. Take up drawing, painting, etc.

...and use the computer less often. LOL. Just kidding.

Answer 4

One way to cut down on electricity is to use blinds. In the winter, put the blinds up to let the sunlight in to take advantage of the sun's free heat. It shouldn't escape because the windows trap the heat in.
In the summer, put the blinds down to keep the heat out. This will cut down on electricity used in the air conditioning.

Answer 5

Whereever you live I dont want to! Change lights over to flourescent bulbs...get thermastat controlled AC (that is nice compared to the "old" ones...it is like whole house but each room cooled to perfection). Hang clothes instead of drying in dryer...