Fourteen Ways to Save on Electricity

1. Change suppliers. The first and by far the best way to save electricity is to change suppliers. I realize that that’s not an option in some states. If you don’t know whether or not it’s a viable option where you live, call your state’s Public Service Commission and ask if you have two or more electrical suppliers to choose from. When my energy supplier’s rate skyrocketed, I skyrocketed too — right to another supplier. Through trial and error, I discovered that these suppliers are willing to give new clients a lesser rate to entice them over to their company, but only for a year to 18 months (like credit card companies do). After that, the rates shoot up so change to a different supplier when it’s renewal time.

Toward the end of the low-rate period I called my energy company and told them I was planning to leave them because I knew their special rate was almost up. I told them if they wanted to keep my business, they would have to continue giving me the same good rate I currently had with them. Guess what? I got another year at that low rate. To do this, be sure you speak with a supervisor who has the authority to grant your request. They still might have to put you on hold and talk with someone else in higher management, but the wait will be worth it if they agree to your proposal. If they decline, keep your word and change suppliers. If enough customers do this, the energy companies will get the message and give us all better rates.

2. Whip your thermostat into compliance. For every 2 degrees you turn your thermostat cooler or warmer, depending on the season, you should shave 10% off your monthly bill. If you turn it up or down too much, it will take a long time to heat or cool your house so don’t go overboard with this suggestion. Make time to price shop the new thermostats that have the capabilities of being programmed for different cooling and heating degrees at different times of the day and purchase one as soon as your bills are all current.

3. Clean your filters. Ensure that your dryer doesn’t waste electricity by cleaning its filter every month. Also clean out the filter in your washing machine for top efficiency. One way to do this is to go to www.ask.com and enter the question, How do I clean my washing machine filter? Regardless of whether you have individual window units or central air/heat, keeping those air filters clean is vital to keeping your costs down. Efficient air flow is directly related to how hard that air flow has to work while going through that filter. Dust and dirt particles greatly obstruct air flow, causing your electric or gas bill to skyrocket.

4. Plug all your gadgets into power strips. Did you know that cell phone chargers, notebook computers, microwaves and small kitchen and bathroom appliances can really increase your electricity bill if you leave them plugged in all the time? Standby energy use accounts for 5% to 8% of all home-energy consumption and costs you anywhere from $95 to $480 every year. 
             HotTip:  Enable your computer’s “sleep mode” rather than letting it go to a screen saver. According to the EPA, that small gesture can save up to $75 a year. 
             HotTip:  Plug items that you use frequently—your computer, television, and microwave—into a power strip that can be switched off when not in use. With more people trying to be energy-conscious these days, prices on power strips have gone up because they help you keep your hard-earned dollars in your checking account instead of in your energy companies’ pocket. If you don’t have any power strips now, watch for sales and purchase two or three. Plug your microwaves, cell-phone chargers and even your iron (Do people still use those things?) into one power strip and your hair dryer, curling iron, and any other small bathroom appliances into another power strip. Flip those power strips off when not in use.

5.  Install heat-deflecting material. Since your rooms get hotter with that afternoon sun burning through them, install the heat-deflecting material on those windows facing west and keep your drapes closed. If you don’t have drapes in those rooms, install some. Purchase the special drapes or curtains that reflect the heat as soon as you can afford them.

6. Use compact florescent light bulbs. Hopefully you’ve already exchanged your old incandescent light bulbs for compact florescent ones (CFLs), but if you haven’t, do it now. Their initial cost is higher. Basic CFLs costs $2 to $5 each compared to around $1 for an incandescent bulb, but they’re far more efficient. Consumers can save up to $50 per CFL because they can last up to 10 times as long and they use about one fourth the energy that incandescent light bulbs use. CFLs generate 70% less heat, which is another way they save you money. Google Environmental Defense’s Buying Guide (EDBG). The guide can help you decipher the right bulbs for each of your rooms. Caution  CFLs contain mercury so you can’t toss them around at any time, even after they’ve burned out.

7. Use ceiling fans. If you don’t already have ceiling fans in most rooms, purchase them whenever you have a little spare money and when you find some great sales. A friend of mine purchased 4 over the course of a year and had a neighbor install them in return for cooking food for him for several days. Fans really make people feel cooler so start watching for those great fan sales.

8. Get on balanced billing. If you’ve lived at your current location for more than one year, call your electric and gas suppliers and ask them to put you on a fixed monthly bill. The way they decide that new bill is by adding the last 12 months of your bills, then dividing by 12. By doing this, you pay whatever that 12-month average was for the next 12 months and you won’t be affected by seasonal spikes or price increases. At the end of that period if your usage was greater than the estimated bills, your next twelve bills will be higher to accommodate for that overage. Most companies offer this service online so check it out.

9. Apply caulk and weather stripping. Regardless of whether you are female or male, handyman or not, you can perform this next task. Go to your local hardware store and purchase some caulk and weather-stripping. Put on some old clothes and apply the caulk wherever you find a leak around your windows and door frames. Install weather-stripping on any outside door that doesn’t have any. This one task will save you greenbacks on your cooling and heating bills. Barter with someone if you can’t do this yourself.

10. Have your heat and AC unit checked. Call a technician to come out and ensure that your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems are operating efficiently. If you do this in the fall or spring, you can usually get a discount because those months aren’t their busiest seasons. A lot of companies offer low-rate maintenance contracts, especially for plumbing and heating. 11. Turn the lights off when leaving a room. Leaving the lights on when you leave a room is one of the biggest ways to throw money down the drain. An average household can save at least 8% to 12% off their monthly electricity bills just by turning their lights off when they leave a room. Starting today, teach your children to turn their lights off when they aren’t in their rooms.

12. Qualify for a government rebate when buying an appliance. Did you know that most local governments and utility companies give rebates to those who purchase appliances that are energy-certified? These appliances are guaranteed to run more efficiently, plus they might even cost less after the rebate is factored in. For instance, Austin Energy in Texas gives a $50 rebate incentive on window A/C units having an energy ratio of at least 10.7. Check with your energy provider and your county or state government for details on rebates.

Remember this the next time you need to purchase an appliance. When shopping, look for the Energy Star label. According to the EPA, buying products that meet Energy Star’s criteria can save consumers up to 30%, or $700 annually. Refrigerators can hog a lot of energy. Maria Vargas, spokeswoman for Energy Star suggests replacing any refrigerator that's 15 years old or older. According to Energy Star’s most recent data, new units consume 50% less energy than ones made in the 1990s. If you’ve been laid off, you can’t afford to replace the refrigerator now so here’s another tip: Clean the coils beneath and behind your refrigerator regularly so it runs more efficiently. You can also refer to the owner’s manual to find out your unit’s recommended temperature and keep it set at that degree.

13.  Program Your Thermostat. Do you want to return to an air-conditioned home after a long day of work without leaving the A/C on full blast the entire time you’re gone? By investing in a programmable thermostat, which costs anywhere from $35 to $115, you can program the air conditioner to turn off while you’re not at home, then come on and cool your home before you return. Doing so can help you save 10% on cooling and heating bills each year.

 Hot Tip:  Close the blinds and shades to block the sun and prevent it from heating the room.

14.  Take Advantage of Tax Incentives. Making energy-efficient improvements to your home is one way to reduce your electric bill and receive a gift from Uncle Sam. Homeowners can qualify for tax credits of up to 30% of the cost of making energy-efficient improvements for a total maximum one-time credit of $1,500.
    Of course, installing new doors or replacing the roof are pricey improvements, so you want to make sure you know which items qualify before doling out the cash. For new insulation to qualify, for example, it must meet the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (check product labeling or call the manufacturer).