Has your energy bill been on the rise? Oh my goodness my energy bill has been ridiculous. I have been researching ways to cut down my utilities. Here’s what I have adopted from various sources regarding the energy bill:
- Call your energy company and straight up ask them how you can save on your bill. Ask about “flat billing” (paying one flat rate each month regardless of actual usage) or “locking in a low energy rate.” For example, instead of being billed at 18 cents per KWH, you may lock in at 11 cents per KWH for one year. Both options are a one year commitment to be renewed each year.
- Unplug. Standy power wastes wattage. You know, the charger plugged in with no phone charging…According to the Lawrence Berkely National Laboratory, standby power makes up 10% of electric use in our homes. I don’t know about you, but that can be considerable; in my home we have a total of 5 cell phones, 2 blue tooth’s, 5 iPods…it adds up. Fix: Use a power strip that turns everything on and off at once.
- Buy products with the Energy Star Seal; use less power…even in standby mode.
- Get an energy audit. Track energy usage and get advice on how to cut back. Contact your energy company about this or try Microsoft’s free Hohm service at www.microsoft-hohm.com
- Turn it off! Leaving the room? Turn off the lights. Don’t need it? Turn off the light.
- Keep your ac/heat setting stable; adjusting it up and down adds up.
If you are trying something else, please share.
