Consumers across
America
often experience sticker shock with summer’s electrical bills. While kilowatt
rates vary by vendor, a new national increase is being seen across the country.
With new federal
regulations in place, requiring power plants to reduce sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxide emissions, many coal plants are expecting cost increases. Naturally,
this expense is being passed on to consumers. Short of going “off the grid,”
what’s a customer to do? Here are 12 tips to help reduce your kilowatt usage.
1. Go Window
Shopping
When the weather
hits over 90 degrees and it’s too hot to be outdoors, leave your credit card at
home and head to an air-conditioned mall. After a few laps around the
perimeter, you’ll have gotten some exercise while catching up on the latest
fashions.
2. Get Out of
the House
Turn off the air
conditioning, the television and all those electricity hogs, and enjoy some
time in the great outdoors. If your children spend their summer vacations
playing video games, they’re sucking up a lot of energy without expending any
of their own. Sign them up for sports leagues, summer camps and other
activities outside the home. While you may have to pay a registration fee, you
can still save on equipment by using Target and Sports Authority discount gift
cards ordered from such sites as GiftCardGranny.com.
3. Turn Off
Power Strips
Even if you’ve
turned off the television, computer and other power vampires, those power
strips are still sucking you dry. The same goes for rechargers, which may seem
benign when not hooked up to your cell phone. The fact is, they’re still
drawing electricity when not in use, so flip that switch. According to the
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the standby power of unused appliances
usually accounts for 5 percent to 10 percent of residential electricity costs.
4. Power Down
Computers
Running a
computer and monitor 24/7 uses about 1,100 kilowatt hours annually, or roughly
$100 a year. Save 60 percent to 80 percent by putting your computer in
power-saving mode or turning it off completely.
5. Use Powerless
Cleaning Appliances
Use an
old-fashioned can opener instead of that space-hogging electrical opener to
reduce kilowatt usage. Clean rugs with a carpet sweeper instead of a vacuum.
(You can find these old-fashioned cleaners at a surprising number of garage
sales.) Dry laundry on a clothes line or rack instead of a power-hungry dryer.
(Washers and dryers are 19 percent of your energy bill.) In general, consider
how you can replace miniature power users with powerless appliances.
6. Shut the
Curtains
Turn off or turn
down an air conditioner by keeping windows covered during the day. You’ll
minimize sun exposure while maximizing the cooler night air.
7. Wash Dishes
in Batches
It may seem
hand-washing dishes would reduce both your water and electrical bill, but
Energy Star appliances are actually much better for your family finances. The
original investment, however, is terribly high. As a simple fix, wait until the
dishwasher is completely full before running it. Avoid filling the machine with
over-sized pots and pans as they’re cheaper to wash by hand. Keep in mind that
dishwashers compose 2 percent of your electrical bill.
8. Lower the
Lighting Bill
You’ve heard
lots of talk about CFL lightbulbs and there’s a reason why. CFLs are cheaper
to run, generate less heat and last much longer. Switching out just one
incandescent bulb for a CFL will save you $35 in energy costs – or up to 65
percent – over the projected 10-year life of the bulb.
9. Turn Off the
Stove
Pasta, veggies
and other foods cooked in water will continue to cook once the water is boiled.
Turn the burner off half way through the cooking process and you’ll reduce your
energy use; just make sure you leave on the lid to hold in the heat.
10. Fill Up Your
Freezer and Fridge
As with your
dishwasher, these kitchen appliances operate more efficiently when full. You
needn’t overbuy at the supermarket, however. Instead, fill bottles and milk
containers with water to take up the extra space.
11. Use a
Programmable Thermostat
Give your air
conditioning system a break when no one is in the house. According to EnergyStar, increasing a house’s temperature during these hours by pre-programming a
thermostat cuts the average household’s electric bill by $180 a year. That’s
because heating and cooling systems are 45 percent of your monthly energy bill.
12. Clean A/C
Filters
Filters clog up
with pollen, animal hair, dust and other unmentionables. Cleaning or replacing
your filter improves efficiency. You’ll want to clean it more often if you have
pets or are experiencing a particularly heavy pollen season.
Taking a few
steps now will save you energy and money in the future.
