Cut down Costs with Electricity ComparisonLooking for ways to lower your electricity bill? Have you tried searching the internet for the best electric rates and tips on how to cut down your power cost? If you have, you probably already encountered tips like not using heated water when doing your laundry, using your thermostat more efficiently, using more power efficient appliances, sealing your home so the heat doesn’t leak outside, etc. All these tips are well and good, and will probably save you hundreds of dollars on your electricity bill. But you might ask, why does it have to involve shelling out money when your goal is to save money in the first place? Does it mean that you’ll have to replace your old AC unit and buy a new one just because it’s not a certified energy-saving appliance? And what if you barely have enough money to pay the bills, how then can you start on your latest power-saving scheme? But, the question is, why does it have to be so complicated when it comes to business electricity price comparison and saving energy? Actually, it doesn’t have to be. Not at all. Your electricity bill is computed based on a very simple solution – your energy consumption multiplied by your power rate. So your power-saving plan doesn’t have to be complicated, either. It boils down to two simple options – you either lower your energy consumption or you lower your power rate. 
Tips to Cut down Costs on ElectricityGet an Energy Audit Many utility companies offer a free home energy audit to customers, and it’s well worth taking advantage of. If there’s no such program in your area, conduct your own energy audit instead. It’ll clue you into areas where you could trim your energy use. Install Dimmer Switches The key to saving energy is within reach! When you install dimmer switches, you can use only as much light as you need. Keep Your Fridge and Freezer Full Everyone always tells you to keep the fridge closed. But did you know that keeping your fridge and freezer full can also save money? Food acts as insulation and lessens the amount of time that the fridge has to run to stay cool. Install Ceiling Fans Keeping the air circulating in your home, and your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard. Line Dry Your Laundry Set up a clothesline in your back yard, and let Mother Nature dry your laundry. If this isn’t an option, consider hanging clothes on a drying rack or on the shower rod. Eliminate Phantom Loads A shocking 75 percent of the energy used by home electronics is consumed when they’re turned off. These “phantom” users include: televisions, VCRs, stereos, computers and many kitchen appliances—basically anything that holds a time or other settings. A simple solution? Plug all of these items into power strips; then, get in the habit of turning off the strips between uses. Install an Attic Fan It’ll pull cool air into your home, and help to remove the hot air. Shield Your Home from the Sun Cut down on your air conditioning use by closing curtains and blinds on the sunny side of your home. For even more savings, consider installing tinted window film. Schedule Yearly HVAC Maintenance Increase the efficiency of your HVAC system by having it inspected and cleaned once a year. Added bonus: cleaner air in your home. Change Your Filters Regularly Keep your HVAC system running at peak efficiency by changing the filter every 30 days. Switch to LEDs LED light bulbs use 90 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. Switch out the most widely used bulbs in your home. Then, replace the rest as they burn out. Landscape for Shade Plant trees to shade your home, and your air conditioning won’t have to work as hard. Turn Off Heat Dry on Your Dishwasher Most of the energy consumed by your dishwasher goes to heating water. Turn off the heat dry feature, and you’ll minimize the drain. Lower the Temperature on Your Hot Water Heater 13 percent of your home’s electricity goes to heating water. You can lower this percentage, by setting your hot water heater to 130-140 degrees. For even more savings, install an insulation jacket, and insulate the first six feet of piping that comes off of your heater. Take Advantage of Off-Peak Rates Does your town offer cheaper electric rates during off-peak hours? If so, this is a great time to wash laundry, heat water and run the dishwasher. Upgrade to Energy Star Appliances If your appliances are 10 years old or older, consider replacing them with new, Energy Star models, which use considerably less energy Wash Laundry in Cold Water 90 percent of the energy consumed by your washing machine goes to heating water. Turn the dial to cold, and skip the bill. |