6 Easy Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill

Utility bills can have a big impact on your budget, and one of the biggest expenses is your electric bill.  Homeowners are often looking for ways to save money on electricity. Here are six easy ways to do just that:

Seal Up Any Leaks

Look for any areas around your doors and windows that are not airtight. Due to these loose frames, you will lose heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. This is easily fixed with caulk.  Caulk any areas that allow air to get inside your house, and don’t forget about under your doors where a lot of air can sneak in.  Another area to look at is around window air conditioners that are not sealed against the window frames.

Also, if you don’t use your fireplace, you might want to consider closing it off with a fireplace cover. 

Don’t Use Appliances During the Hottest Time of the Day

Many appliances give off heat when they are in use, such as the dishwasher or dryer.  This makes the air conditioner work that much harder to bring the temperature back down.  Save these tasks, as well as cooking on your stove or in the oven, until the temperatures cool down in the evening.

Use Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Replace all of the light bulbs in your house with incandescent bulbs that save energy with lower wattage.  Not only are they more energy efficient, they are also much more environmentally friendly.

Another change you can implement is to use the lowest wattage necessary for what you need.  If possible, choose three-way bulbs for reading lamps so you can adjust the light for different uses.

Use Insulated Drapes

Buy heavy lined drapes or insulated curtains to help keep out the heat that comes in through your windows during summer.  If you can’t afford to buy new drapes, you can buy fabric to attach to your curtains.  While it may not keep out all of the heat, it will reduce the amount that gets through.
You can also buy blinds to help keep a room cooler.  Pay special attention to the south and west windows where the sun shines during the hottest times of the day.

Use Fans In Your House

Buy ceiling fans to help the air conditioner to cool down the house.  If your house has an attic fan, this will also help cool down your home.  Fans are especially helpful if you have window air conditioning units, as they can distribute the cool air throughout your home.

Unplug Devices When Not in Use

Many devices still generate heat and electricity when they are not in use.  As long as they are connected to an electrical source, they are using energy.  You can either unplug them or plug them into a surge protector that you can shut off when they are not in use.  Some items to pay particular attention to are:

• Microwave
• Television
• Smartphone or mp3 player chargers
• Radios
• Computers

Saving money on your electricity bill is becoming more and more important these days, so follow these six simple tips and put that money back in your pocket!

Click Here For More Information about saving money on your electricity bill. You can also visit www.electricityprices.com for more information about electricity prices in general.