How can I lower my electric bill in the winter?

Question

I just moved into a 1000 sq ft apt on the 19th floor of a building & my electric bill every month has been out of control. We're barely ever here & we turn the heat off when we are gone, but it doesnt seem to be enough. Please help!!!

Answer 1

the worst thing to do is to turn off your heat,leave it on it takes more power to heat the house up when you get home then to leave it on, also leave your thermostat on 65-68 that helps, just put an extra layer of clothes on

Answer 2

I assume that you have electric heat. Make sure that your windows are well-sealed. Buy and use electric blankets; they'll keep you comfortable when the heat is low.

But what I'd suggest most of all is a discussion with the power company. They know what the normal bill for that apartment has been over the years, and they'll discuss the problems with you; they may even do an energy audit for you.

Be careful that you're actually paying the electric company directly, and not your landlord, for the power. The meter must be owned and sealed by the power company, and you must have access to it. Make certain that you aren't paying someone else's electric bill by turning off everything in the place and then going down to the basement and looking at the meter. It shouldn't be moving at all.

If the landlord gives you trouble about any of this, you have found your trouble; a visit to your city's energy assistance and housing advocacy offices would be your next stops. I'm assuming you live in the US.

Answer 3

use a ceiling fan with the blade pushing the air down. Hot air rises and this will help the apartment feel warmer. Also, If you can, install a digital thermostat so that you can lower the heat to like 65 while you are gone and raise it back to like 69 or 70 when you return. Open the curtains in the day to let the sunlight in and warm your home. At night, be sure to close the blinds to keep the warm air from being cooled near the windows. you can get special insulatin curtains also. These are supposed to help.

Answer 4

Lower your heater thermostat to 65 degrees and leave it there. Weatherize your windows. Stop cold air from leaking in thru bottoms of outside doors with a door sock or a spare towel rolled up and placed across bottom of doors. Check your water heater. Is it electric? Turn thermostat down to 120 degrees. Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use. Ditto lights. If you don't like complete darkness around you or when coming into the house at night, use nightlights.

Answer 5

I agree with the other people use your heater only at night when
your home or use more blankets or quilts. Keep blinds closed
all the time to keep cold air out. Unless there is sun out, then let
the sun shine in. When your home and it is not that cold then use
a blanket to keep you cold warm pajamas and socks to keep your
feet warm. Do not keep any lights on if your not using it, a night
light is okay. I don't understand why your bill is still high if your not
at home. That is the time when your electricity should be on hold
because no one is using it. Just make sure everything is off before you walk out the door, especially the heater, turn it off or
keep it off until you decide to turn it on. Good luck!! We get some
help with our electricity because my daughter and I both have
Asthma and we get Medical Assistance.

Answer 6

Turning the heat off may actually be part of the problem. Your heater may have to work harder and longer to warm your apartment back up when you are there. If you are gone for days at a time you may turn off the circuit breakers to your water heater (providing it is electric & not gas). I used to go out of town for weeks at a time when I was in the Air Force. I noticed about a 10% decrease in my utility bill since my water heater was not heating up water.

Answer 7

Invest in a couple of smallish bar heaters. Use them in
the lounge or bedroom as neded, & wear more winter clothes when at home. Invest in some warm socks & slippers. This way you need never turn on the heating system, except when it's very very cold.I like the cold, so watch TV with a rug over my knees with just one bar heater on when it's very cold.We also put the bar heater on in the bathroom in the early mornings, (It's on the wall). Hope this helps.Good Luck & keep warm...

Answer 8

first thing is turning heat off and on is going to make it worse as it takes more gas and energy turning it on and off as to set and an idol temp.. because it has to work to rise to the temp then allow to drop and rise again. so that's teh first thing I would stop. make sure when you go all lights are out for one , then try not turning them on and using natural light as long as possible. turn off tvs, radios, computers, speakers anything that generates any kind of power. do you have a dryer in your house? most loads run longer than the time it actualy takes to dry.. so check them every so often then take them out when there dry or hand dry of flat dry them.. if you really want to get old fashion fill your tub up with warm soapy water and hand wash them.. it will help.. wash dishes by hand this too will help. even if you have candles and or at night watch tv in the dark.. there are many things you can do and all small but all make a difference.

Answer 9

Use climate stripping round doorways and residing house windows. it really is exceptionally low priced and has an adhesive backing. you'll get it at Walmart or maximum residing house progression/harware shops. It would not take a genius to practice it both. you may also do the plastic on the residing house windows. It helps slightly. As yet another person reported via a "snake" to positioned alongside the door to resign drafts from coming contained in the bottom of the door. you also could have insulation added to you attic and walls to assist carry in warmth. organizations can are available in and blow shredded information paper throughout your attic and contained in the walls to assist insulate. For an unlawful thanks to diminish your electric powered invoice you ought to tape a sturdy magnet on the meter. It slows it down. yet you ought to eliminate it before the potential guy assessments the meter. this may also get you in quite a number of worry and that i'd not propose doing it except you're waiting to face the concequences. in the journey that your renting you ought to verify which includes your landlords for help and suggestion. solid success.

Answer 10

usually, the things that generate either heat or cooling are the things that "eat" electricity. you should check the gaskets on your fridge and freezer. put a piece of paper in the seal and close the door... if you can pull it out, then you need a new gasket. you can also reduce the wattage of the bulbs in your house.... go from 100w to 60w or even 40w bulbs. also, don't preheat your oven any longer than necessary and only do laundry when you have a full load, and don't over-dry in the dryer. since you are in an apartment i am assuming it is not from your using hot water... good luck.

Answer 11

It's the small things you need to worry about. If your home make sure you keep the lights off other then the room your in. Never keep more then one t.v on at a time, and don't overuse things. We all do it and right away you won't notice much of a difference but after 2-3 mths you will trust me. MIne went from about $165 to $45 after about 4 mths!