How can I get my elec. bill down?

Question

It was 486 this month. That is rediculous! We only keep it at 72-73.

Answer 1

You didn't give us a lot of information to go on, but here are some hints. Do you have an electric programable thermostat? If not you definately should it can nut your costs dramatically. I have mine set to turn up to 68 at 6:00 am which is a half hour before we get up. Then it goes down to 62 at 8:30am (when we leave for work) It goes back up to 70 right before my mom gets here in the afternoon to watch the kids. Then it goes down to 68 at 7. Then it goes down to 62 at 11pm when we usually go to bed. It does this all automatically. Different schedule for the weekend but you get the idea.

Another inportant thingis to unplug appliances when not in use. Even when off appliances still pull electricity.

If you haven't already, switch to the new energy saver lightbulbs. They are more expensive in the beginning but save a LOT more in your electric bill than they cost.

Make sure your water heater is set to 140 or lower.

Make sure your seal on your fridge and freezer are both in good shape, if not replace them.

Well, those are some ideas, good luck, hope that helps.

Answer 2

Wow!! Mine is pretty high too. I switched to the new lightbulbs, the swirly kind, to save energy. Tell the kids to turn the lights off!!! Shut down the computer when not in use. I don't know what kind of heat you have but you can wrap the pipes for the hot water heater and the ducts. Also, humidifiers keep the air warm in the winter and keeps you breathing better.

Answer 3

We spent a $1000 and had insulation added and the chimney taken down ($350) and roofed over. You can lose a lot of money up the chimney. Ours had problems and was converted to a gas fireplace anyway. You didn't mention how large a house or where you live. We keep our programmable thermostat at 68 F when we are sleeping or not home. It is set to automatically go to this setting at 10 pm - it is programed to 70 at 5pm so it warm when we get home. You can program to fit your life. I feel it is easier and cheaper to turn it up if we get cold rather than turn it down when we get hot.
Close doors to rooms you are not using. buy insulated drapes and close them at night. but open them in day as to let light in. You can buy black out panels at walmart for $25.
New double paned windows can be expensive but if you have old wood single pane you are heating the outdoors.

good luck.

Answer 4

Great question, and it depends on a few things. One of them could be heating your house with electricity. Electric water heater, regardless what some of the companies try to say it can be expensive to heat water. Take shorter showers. Use cold water setting for washing your clothes it will save energy. Some people do not realize how much energy the newer LCD and Plasma Televisions suck up. Dish washers use more energy than when you would wash them by hand. Leaving lights on while you are not in the room. Older appliances like washers, dryers and refrigerators. Hair dryers make your electric meter spin like a "Buzz saw."You will be surprised in the dollar amount you can save when you become mindful of waste.

The other possibilities are bad windows, outdated or blown seals. Insulation issues or lack thereof. People tend to complain about the initial cost of updating but you can save more in the long run. Check door seals and put plastic sheets on the windows. Your local home store should have plastic sheets with adhesive on them to make things easier. There are a lot of things one can do to save money. I am not recommending to completely deprive yourself of modern conveniences but you have to not waste energy to save money. Don't forget energy efficient light bulbs.

Answer 5

1. turn that thermostat down to 68 and wear more clothes
2. wash all your clothes in cold water except for the towels
3. do dishes by hand
4. avoid using the clothes dryer during peak hours
5. limit showers to 5 minutes
6. if possible hang clothes on a line to dry on sunny days or hang them in a basement or unused room
7. close off any rooms not being used.
8. check windows and doors for drafts and seal them up.
9. use the microwave more and use the conventional oven less

Answer 6

Make sure all your doors and windows are shut. Check the insulation in the attic, and make sure your hot water heater is working good it may have a burned out element.

Answer 7

Use compact florescent light bulbs, and also unplug appliances when you aren't using them. A lot of energy is wasted on things like phone chargers, toasters and VCRs. This really helps!

Answer 8

Most stores sell plastic to put on windows. some of it shrinks and is applied with a blow dryer. It is wonderful.
most heat and cool air is lost through windows.

Answer 9

bigger upstairs - warmth rises. Your thermostat determines whilst the AC activates and stale. So, in the journey that your thermostat is on the 1st floor (single AC device), then it would not be conscious of what the temperature is upstairs and could no longer respond to that temperature. yet in my abode, I even have 2 AC contraptions, one for each floor.

Answer 10

Call your energy company, ask for an energy survey, they are subsidized, so it is usually free.