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Any suggestions on how to lower my household electric bill?

By JohnDugay Asked Jun 25 2007 11:34AM
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Top Answer out of 12

by anonymous on Jun 25, 2007 at 12:27 pm Permalink

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Turn lights off whilst not in the room
Get energy saving light bulbs
Don't boil a full kettle every time, just boil the amount of water needed
Turn all appliances off standby at night
Wash your clothes on a 30 degree wash
Don't use a tumble dryer at all, dry clothes outdoors or get a maiden (clothes horse, I don't even know what the real name is for it).

By doing all these not only will you save money, you'll help save the planet aswell.
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Avatar Ruh Roh Oct, 28 2008 at 02:32 PM
its a clothes line in the US - I hang my clothes out till theyre almost dry, and put them in the dryer for 10 min so they wont be stiff.
Avatar anonymous Oct, 30 2008 at 06:40 AM
A clothes line or washing line is what we call the thing you peg your clothes to outside if the weather's fine (typical English weather doesn't allow much chance to peg them out often though). There's a thing we have inside that you fold out and hang clothes on aswell, I call it a maiden, I think that's just a Lancashire term though.

Answer 2 out of 12

by BlessedAreThose on Jun 25, 2007 at 12:08 pm Permalink

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Seal up your house.
Get a programmable thermostat for your water heater or turn it off when not using a lot of hot water for a while.
Shut down your PC as much as possible when not in use. If not, at least turn of your monitor.
If you live in a hot climate, use your appliances at night time.
Use energy saving lightbulbs and don't leave lights on in rooms not in use.
Unplug chargers when object charged.
Turn up the temp in your home when you leave.
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Answer 3 out of 12

by iwnit on Jun 25, 2007 at 12:57 pm Permalink

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1) "Reduce my energy costs
Review energy saving tips for appliances
Analyzing my account
Read my meter
Equalize my monthly bills
Learn about energy program options"
Source and details here:
"Lower My Bill Toolkit - Progress Energy Florida"
http://www.progress-energy.com/.../index.asp

2) "Here are some proven ways to reduce energy costs:
Set your thermostat at 68°F in winter, 78°F in summer. Then adjust the settings as needed. Every degree you're able to "dial back" saves from 2-3 percent on heating and cooling energy.
In summer, avoid adding heat and humidity to your home during the daytime hours. Schedule cooking, laundry and bathing in the early morning or late evening.
Open south, east and west curtains in winter for auxiliary solar heat. Close them in the summer.
Have your heat pump, furnace and central or room air conditioner tuned up prior to each heating and cooling season.
Clean or replace filters monthly. Make sure the outdoor condensing unit for your central air conditioner, window air conditioner or heat pump is clean and unobstructed.
If your home will be unoccupied for more than two or three hours, reset your thermostat to 80°F in summer, 60°F in winter. Or, add an automatic setback thermostat to control both your heating and cooling systems while you're away from home.
Avoid operating your heating/cooling system fan continuously. While constantly circulating air may feel more comfortable, the small benefit may be offset by an increase in your electric bill.
"Tighten" your home with insulation, caulking and weatherstripping.
As older appliances wear out, especially heating and cooling equipment, replace them with new higher efficiency models."
Source:
http://www.kcpl.com/about/about_resfaqs.html

3) Further information:
"Beginner's Guide to Lower Electricity Bills":
http://www.associatedcontent.com/.../..._electricity.html
"Welcome to Energy Savers.gov. On this U.S. Government Web site you can find information to help you save energy in your home, business, vehicle, or industrial plant.":
http://www.energysavers.gov/
"Ameren Services Energy Savings Toolkit & Tips":
https://www2.ameren.com/residential/default.aspx
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Answer 4 out of 12

by Matt Adore on Jun 25, 2007 at 12:09 pm Permalink

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Switch to gas?
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Avatar Mr n Mrs M... Jun, 25 2007 at 12:09 PM
hahahaha class...

Answer 5 out of 12

by Fireflye on Jun 25, 2007 at 12:03 pm Permalink

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Make sure your home is well insulated. It doesn't matter what sort of climate you live in, it will save on heating in the winter and AC in the summer. Just think, if your home was 100% insulated (impossible I know) you would never have to heat it and all the AC would have to do is remove your body heat and heat from cooking, etc.
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Answer 6 out of 12

by Starson on Jun 25, 2007 at 11:37 am Permalink

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Don't use the computer as much :p
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Avatar Starson Jun, 25 2007 at 11:39 AM
My parents pay the electricity bills :p:p
Avatar jmiddencoke Jun, 25 2007 at 11:47 AM
Get a job and move out. :D
Avatar Oddjob Jun, 25 2007 at 12:26 PM
Darn that was going to be my answer. Nice one +3

Answer 7 out of 12

by WHITE BEAR on Jun 25, 2007 at 12:16 pm Permalink

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Do the washing / water heating at night or in the evening.
Boil one kettle before surise, and put in a flask for the day.
Use candles instead of lights at night.
Use no light at twilight.
Save on showers and baths by using rivers and / or the sea.
Dont have a freezer and eat more fresh food
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Answer 8 out of 12

by jmiddencoke on Jun 25, 2007 at 11:42 am Permalink

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Well...lower the temp on your water heater, turn off lights that don't need to be on, use lower wattage bulbs, don't run the AC all day (althouh in florda that can be hard), maybe look into having a guy come in to make sure you're power is being used efficiently, and hang dry your clothes
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Answer 9 out of 12

by Mikelbf2000 on Jun 3, 2009 at 4:03 pm Permalink

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turn off all unecessary stuff, turn your heat down, use a clothesline to dry clothes. dont use many lights
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Answer 10 out of 12

by Twisted Taco on Jun 3, 2009 at 4:00 pm Permalink

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Use candles instead
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