Let's cut our power bill and save the environment

I believe that every one of us is finding ways to cut the electricity bill and other household expenses wherever possible during this uncertainty economic climate. We either want to eliminate or delay unnecessary expenses like expensive vacation trip, dinning at luxury restaurant and so on and so forth. However, the electricity bill left to be the one of the most challenging bills to be reduced especially for those who have a lot of power sucking appliances at home. Accordingly to U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average family consumes around 10,656 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year or USD 900 or more if based on 8.5 cents per kwh. There are many ways you can cut down your electricity bills significantly. You can always start with easy ways to enjoy immediate power bills saving whilst working out the long term solution to change your home energy source to renewable green energy source without compromising your standard of living.

Let’s look at how you could cut your power bill significantly

1) Change to efficient Compact Florescent (CFLs) bulbs from incandescent light bulbs

CFLs last from 8-10 times longer, utilize about 75% less energy, and generate 90% less heat at the same time as delivering more light per Watt. For instance, one 20 Watt CFL (replaces a 75 Watt incandescent bulb) will save you $66 dollars over the life of the bulb (based on $.12 KWH). If you replace one 100 Watt incandescent bulb with a 25 Watt CFL, it will save you $74 dollars over the life of the bulb.

Recent statistics reveal that we spend about one-quarter of our electricity budget on lighting, or more than $37 billion annually. Although traditional incandescent light bulbs are less expensive to purchase, they are much more expensive to operate. So you should start to change them now!


2) Always keep your appliances clean, in order and at optimum operating condition.

You should carry out regular cleaning or maintenance so that your appliances are in good shape and thereby operating efficiently and also consuming lesser energy.

3) Set Air-conditioner at optimum temperature

Setting your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum setting for your air conditioner during warmer seasons. It would increase your cooling cost by 12% to 47% if the thermostat is set at 72 degrees Fahrenheit. You shouldn’t set temperature really low at the beginning as it will not help your home cool faster but to consume more energy. If you forget to adjust it subsequently, the air conditioner will be running far less efficiently than you think. Besides, you should consider substituting fans for air conditioners on milder days as it can save 60% or more in cooling costs.

4) You should call qualified service technician to you home for an annual check up.

This will not only help you to reduce the operating costs of the appliance by around 20%, but also extend the life span of the appliance.

5) Don't over-stuff your refrigerator with bottles and other plastic containers.

The condenser will be overloading as lack of free air circulation. As a result, it will consume more energy.

6) Turn Off un-used electric appliances & computer and lights

7) Shop around for energy-efficient appliances

8) Convert to renewable energy source

You should consider this option as your long term solution if you are really committed to reduce your power bill. You could either ask the professional install for you if you can afford it, if not you can also consider to DIY. There are a lot of user friendly DIY kits out there with detailed step by step instruction to guide you how to set up your own solar or wind power generation system.