My electric bill almost doubled this past month. What was I doing different over the
month? I had to get in a quiet room and do some thinking. After some online research, I
found out what I did, so I decided to pass along this information to you as well.
There’s other things to waste money on... electric bills is not one of them.
Oh... what did I do differently that made my electric bill double?
1. Turned up my water heater from 120F to 160F.
2. Switched my garage dehumidifer from 70% to 30% so it ran almost 24/7
for a few weeks.
3. Didn’t eat out as much, use the oven and stove top about 20%
more than usual.
4. Did smaller laundry loads during the week instead of waiting for the
weekend. Bad idea.
So, I’m reversing the above boo-boos (‘cept the eating out thing, saving bucks
in the long run, and avoiding fast food boredom).
Thanks to FPL.com and ReliableConnections.com I got a reality check.
BRAIN DRAIN: True or False. It’s better for your home environment to leave the
central air fan on all the time. Keep reading for the answer soon.
Energy Eaters: (edited out things that are ‘duh’)
Stove Elements
Average Wattage: 12,500
· Use the right size pots and pans for stove elements
· Use pots with flat bottoms, straight sides and tight-fitting lids
Clothes Dryers
Average Wattage: 4,800
· One average load of washing is equal to one load of drying; don't
overload
· Experiment with your time settings to avoid over-drying
Ovens
Average Wattage: 3,000
· Maximize use of oven heat by turning the heat off near the end of the
cook time
· Avoid opening the oven door, which lowers the temperature
significantly
Water Heaters
Average Wattage: 3,000
· Fixing a leaky faucet can save hundreds of gallons of water - and the
energy to heat them - in one year.
· Consider an energy-efficient showerhead.
· Use a cold water wash setting for laundry when you can
· Full dishwashers or clothes washers operate most efficiently; don't
overload
Window unit Air Conditioners
Average Wattage: 935 - 1,400
· Set the thermostat at about six degrees below outdoor temperatures.
· Put window units on the shady side of the house and keep them away
from drapes and furniture
· Replacing air conditioning with a ceiling fan on less humid days can
reduce energy consumption by about 90%.
· Save showering, laundering and automatic dishwashing for the cool
early morning or late evening hours
Refrigerators
Average Wattage: 300
· Place a good-quality thermometer in the refrigerator and maintain a
temperature of 2-5*C (36-42*F)
· Avoid placing the fridge in direct sunlight or near other heat
sources
Furnace Oil Burners
Average Wattage: 260
Furnace Fans
Average Wattage: 250
· Ensure that the tension on the fan pulley meets with the
manufacturer's recommendations in your owner's manual
Freezers
Average Wattage: 75-90
· Use a quality thermometer to maintain -18*C (0*F); lower temperatures
waste energy
· Check the door gasket from time to time
· For maximum efficiency, keep the freezer 2/3 full and keep the sides
clear of frost
BRAIN DRAIN: True or False. It’s better for your home environment to leave the
central air fan on all the time.
Believe it or not, it’s TRUE. According to ReliableConnections.com: Leave
air-circulating fan on all the time.
Continuous air circulation has these advantages:
· More uniform temperature distribution throughout the house.
· Better humidity control in the summer and also in the winter, if you
have central air humidifier.
· Better air filtration resulting in cleaner air, especially if you use
good quality air filter in the furnace.
The only disadvantage of leaving the air-circulating fan on all the time is the extra cost
of electricity (about $200 year, less if you use a dual speed furnace fan).
Hot weather - Your air conditioner runs longer in hot weather, even if you never change
your thermostat. And during the hottest months, cooling can account for half or more of
your electric bill.
Cold weather - Heating your home costs two to three times as much as cooling it. And the
colder the weather, the longer your heater will run.
Water - People who tend to take longer showers in colder weather increase their water
heating costs.
Humidity - When you lower your thermostat to stay comfortable in humid weather, it causes
your A/C to run longer, which increases energy use.
Energy use will increase if you have houseguests, children home for the summer or family
members who work from home.
Homes with a pool or spa typically spend more to run pumps and in some cases heaters.
Installing additional outside decorative lighting can increase your bill.
Adding additional appliances may also cause your bill to go up.
These are really good reminders, I hope you find them useful.
Cool your home at 78° or warmer with the thermostat fan switch on "auto." For
additional savings, raise your thermostat to 82° or warmer when you're away from home.
Avoid pre-rinsing dishes before putting in dishwasher. It can save up to $70 a year.
Heat your home at 68° or cooler with the thermostat fan switch on "auto." To
save even more, lower your thermostat to 65° or cooler at bedtime or when you're away
from home.
Limit the time you run your pool pump: Summer - run it no more than six hours a day Winter
- no more than four hours a day
Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically and maximize
your energy savings. It also helps to maintain a comfortable temperature when you wake up
or return home.
Adjust the water level on your washing machine to match the load size, especially when
using hot water. Always use a cold rinse.
Clean or replace your air conditioner's filter every month to trim your cooling costs and
help your unit run more efficiently.
Clean the lint filter in your dryer before every load to dry your clothes faster and save
money.
Turn off your ceiling fan when you leave the room. A fan that runs constantly can cost up
to $7 a month depending on size and age.
Use the auto sensor function on your dryer, if you have one, to conserve energy by not
over-drying your clothes.
My tip: Invest the savings you now enjoy from lower energy bills into increased life and
income protection insurance coverage from the A.Connell Group!