How can I save money on my electricity bill?
We can start with the basics first. These simple actions will save you energy and money right now!
Unplug
Unplug seldom-used appliances, such as an extra refrigerator in the basement or garage that contains just a few items. You may save around $10 every month on your utility bill.
Unplug your ac adapters and mobile device chargers when you are not charging. Any adapter that is plugged in draws a phantom load because it must convert alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). Adapters are doing this constantly when plugged in even if they are not charging anything!
Areas where multiple appliances and electronics are used at the same time, such as an entertainment unit that contains a television, movie player, stereo, can utilize the efficient of a power strip. Being able to shut off several appliances at once can save you the time it takes to uplug all of the one by one.
Set Computers to Sleep and Hibernate
Enable the "sleep mode" feature on your computer. This will turn off the monitor and other aspects your computer that are not in use after a certain period of inactivity. The time desired can be configured to your preference. In Windows, the power management settings are found on your control panel. Mac users, look for energy saving settings under system preferences in the apple menu.
Configure your computer to "hibernate" automatically after 30 minutes or so of inactivity. The "hibernate mode" turns the computer off in a way that doesn't require you to reload everything when you switch it back on. Allowing your computer to hibernate saves energy and is more time-efficient than shutting down and restarting your computer from scratch.
Take Control of Temperature
The most energy intensive appliances are ones that control temperature. Your stove and fridge (see "Use Appliances Efficiently"), furnance, and air conditioner are the biggest energy suckers. To cut back on your furance and air conditioner consumption - set your thermostat in winter to 19 degrees celcius (68 degrees fahrenheit) or less during the daytime, and 13 degrees celcius (55 degrees fahrenheit) before going to sleep (or when you're away for the day). During the summer, set thermostats and air conditioners to 24 degrees celcius (78 degrees fahrenheit) or more.
Use sunlight wisely. During the heating season, leave shades and blinds open on sunny days, but close them at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows. Close shades and blinds during the summer or when the air conditioner is in use or will be in use later in the day.
Set the thermostat on your water heater between 45-50 degress celcius (120-130 degrees fahrenheit).
Use Appliances Efficiently
Set your refrigerator temperature at 3 to 5 degrees Celsius (38 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit); your freezer should be set between -15 to -17 degrees Celcius (0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit). Use the power-save switch if your fridge has one, and make sure the door seals tightly. You can check this by making sure that a dollar bill closed in between the door gaskets is difficult to pull out. If it slides easily between the gaskets, replace them.
When using your oven, avoid preheating or "peeking" inside the oven more than necessary. Use a microwave oven, or toaster oven for small items. If you want to go that extra effort, cook multiple foods at the same time, such as baking a pizza in the oven while a pot of soup is on the stove top element.
Wash only full loads in your dishwasher, using short cycles for all but the dirtiest dishes. This saves water and the energy used to pump and heat it. Air-drying, if you have the time, can also reduce energy use.
For washing clothes, set the appropriate water level for the size of the load; wash in cold water for dark colours, and always rinse in cold.
Clean the lint filter in the dryer after each use. Dry heavy and light fabrics separately and don't add wet items to a load that's already partly dry. If available, use the moisture sensor setting. (A clothesline is the most energy-efficient clothes dryer of all!) If you do not have enough room for a traditional clothesline you can hang your clothes on a folding rack (such as the one pictured to the right) that you can place on a porch, deck, or even inside a well ventilated room.
Turn Out the Lights
Using the suns natural light as much as possible is one sure way to save on your electricity bill. Open blinds and unabstruct areas in front of windows to let in as much sunlight as possible. Turning off lights when not in use is a no-brainer, but having them automatically turn off for you is even simpler! You can use timers to turn on lamps and outside lights for when you know you will be entering and exiting areas frequently and program them to turn off when you know you will not be using them.
Go on an energy fast
If you were in the Eastern seaboard of North America in August 2004 you probably remember the electrical blackout that occured. One of the most populated areas on the continent was without power for one-night due to it's addiction to electricity and it's constant growing desire for more. That day, many people got outside in the warm summer weather and took to the streets having more fun without electricity than on most days when they did.
If the power in your home or your office were to go out right now - what would you do? A fun exercise is to turn off all of your appliances for a day and see just how creative you can get without electricity (if you choose to leave your fridge do not worry, you can be forgiven). Make a meal that does not require you to cook, play a board game, guitar, or just plain talk with friends and family, instead of watching T.V. or surfing the internet, light candles instead of using lightbulbs. Make it fun and enjoyable and find out what you do not need that you may have thought you could not live without.
It is important for us to remember that electricity is a wonderful gift that we should be thankful for and not take for granted. Enjoy!
