How can I lower my electric bill?

Question

Here is the deal. My last month statement meter reading was 22542. I just got my bill in and this month was 25652 (a whopping 3110 kw/h used). This is the MOST it has EVER been (including the winter). I went to check my meter today and it is at 26932 (1280 kw/h used so far). It does not say the date the meter was checked. These are the things that are run, on, or plugged in ALL the time:
Appliances
Computer
Televisions
Game systems (X-box 360, Wii, Playstation 3)
Treadmill
Fish Tank

I use natural lighting (windows and open doors) for light during the day and most of the time the only lights on in the house after dark are the fish tank and a lamp (60 watt bulb). I open the windows (because it is so nice outside). The heater only comes on for 6 hours at night to keep the house warm enough for the kids.

How can I lower the electric bill so that it is better for the environment and saves me money?

Thanks in advance to everyone who responds!

The entire house is electric. We don't have an attic or basement. I wash 5-6 loads of laundry (family of 4) once a week.

Answer 1

Get an insulation jacket for your hot water tank and insulate your water heater with insulator blanket and the hot water lines with pipe insulation ~ it will also allow you to keep the temp on the heater down to 120 degrees or lower and have hotter water, as it retains heat longer…

Clean your furnace. If your furnace is dirty, it takes a lot longer to heat up and won’t burn efficiently… your blower will run much longer than it should… using more electric.

Use window insulator plastic during winter/heating and summer/AC. Open your window shades and drapes to let the sun's natural warmth in during the day. At night, close them to help insulate your windows against heat loss.

Maintain your refrigerator it is one of the biggest energy-users in the home. Check to make sure the door seal is clean and in good condition. Don’t leave the door open get in and out quickly, adjust the "Cold" control according safe feed handling requirements and vacuum refrigerator coils to remove excess dust.

Don’t keep your computer, TVs, and Game systems, running all day and night. Turn them off when not in use.

Unplug appliances you do not use daily… don't forget to turn off the coffee maker when the coffee is done

In the laundry room wash clothes in cold or cool water whenever possible, and try hanging your clothes outside to dry rather than using the dryer.

Switch regular bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs

Outside you home. Plant evergreen trees on the north and west sides of you home to reduce winder heating. Plant deciduous trees on the south side of your home in the summer they provide shade and in the winter the loss of leaves will allow the sun to warm you home. If you have a central AC unit it should be shaded from the sun.

Insulate your basement ceiling and attic floors… check you exterior walls for insulation drill small holes and if you can poke a pencil without obstruction consider adding blow in insulation.

Answer 2

First of all, check and see if the utility bill is estimated. Sometimes they take an average consumption. Secondly, since you do alot of laundry, remember that the dryer uses 220v. It draws lots of power. In the summer, you would save money drying your clothes outside. A front loading washing machine uses way less electricity than a top load washer. It also uses less soap, and less water. It spins at a higher rpm therefore, you have to use the dryer for a shorter time. If your dryer has a sensor option, use it. It will automatically shut off when the clothes are dry instead of being on a timer and running unnecessarily.
When you are boiling water for tea, never use your stove element.. Again you are using 220v. Instead use a kettle that plugs in to the wall.
Replace all of your light bulbs with energy efficient ones.. they last forever, and use less energy. Replace your Christmas lights with led lights.. along with saving money on energy, you won't have to worry about them starting a house fire.
If you have gaps in between the frame of the doors or windows, stuff them with pink insulation to prevent your heat from escaping. When my husband and I lived in an older home, we lined the outside of the windows in the winter with plastic.. it helped retain the heat. When you use the oven, make sure you cook a couple of meals ahead of time for use during the week.. I always plan ahead when I turn the oven on since it's an energy hog.
Hope that helps a bit.
:o)

Answer 3

You can calk around the doors and windows. weather striping. if you want to see if you have a draft problem take a plastic bag wal- mart or any small light bag will work, and tape it to a clothes hanger leaving enough hanging to move . take it do the doors and windows of the house and hold it in front of them if their is wind blowing the bag will move which means heat is escaping and cool air is comming in also if summer time your cooling system will be working harder . little things like that will make a difference . also the water heater electric water heaters , you can turn them down a few degrees and use less cold water so you wont notice the few degrees in the water tempurature . Also check the elements in the heater if they are old they need to be changes any hard ware store has them just find the model you need they arent that expensive. Good luck

Answer 4

Turn off TV's, lights, when not in use. Kids are famous for leaving these on all the time. Turn the furnace completely off except for the times you need it. If you have a freezer,(separate, not the one on the fridge) try to make sure it's full so it won't have to come on so much. Also, the fridge is a big user - make sure the kids don't leave it open. The water heater and an electric dryer are other large users. As one gentleman mentioned earlier, turn the heat setting down - 120 degrees should be hot enough for most things. Also, try to set the dryer for only as long as it will take to dry the clothes. Good luck.

Answer 5

Make a rule to turn off the TV when not watching, especially when you go to bed. Also, try using candles or lamps when possible, along with some of the new efficiency bulbs. They cost a little more than regular bulbs, but they are a good investment because they really work well. You will definitely notice the difference on your next bill.

Answer 6

Everything that uses electricity uses current--(wattage) Some more than others-Your stove is a big wattage user as is your hot water heater and other electric heaters --Your clothes dryer--washer-
Be aware of how much clothes you wash and dry and baths and showers and cooking--How many people are using --
Remember all electrical equipment consume wattage and it all adds up--
Ask your electrical company to check your meter and give you ideas on conserving wattage--
liam

Answer 7

http://www.fpl.com/residential/electric/appliances.shtml
Here's a link from the power company here in Florida with some tips...
Don't know where you live, but in Floriday they will come to your home and can give you tips on reducing your bill. For a small fee, they check your ducts for energy leakage...

Answer 8

is your water heater electric?...if so lower the temperature about 5 degrees...if it's an older water heater it could have one bad element which will cause the other element to run constantly...

Answer 9

visit : http://mechatrofice.blogspot.com/2013/12/5-simple-ways-to-lower-your-electric.html

Answer 10

shut off da electronics