Six Powerful Ways to Impact Your Electric Bill

Remember when energy costs were so cheap that you seldom had to think that much about them? Those days are far behind us. Today, as a year or so ago, we see gasoline prices rising, natural gas prices rising, and yes, electricity costs rising.

But the good news is that there is no need to be the victim. There are definite steps you can take that will have a dramatic impact on your electric bill. Here are the six that most experts consider to be the most significant.

Stop using the standard incandescent light bulbs. Instead, replace them with CFL bulbs. These compact fluorescent light bulbs are those strange, science fiction-looking bulbs at most stores now. They use less energy and last a lot longer, perhaps as many as three or four years.

Yet even though they use energy, they produce as much or more light. Talk about a bargain and a good investment!

Your furnace uses a lot more energy if the filter is never changed, so be sure to change it around every month. This is an easy step, taking only a few minutes, yet it is a step that most people neglect.

Remind yourself about it by equating it with paying your electricity bill. That is, settle it in your mind now that when you pay the electric bill, you also change your furnace filter.

Set your thermostat temperature lower. If you just reduce it two degrees during the night as you sleep, this will save a lot of electricity during the month, and of course, a lot of money. Some people prefer to do this automatically by buying and installing a programmable thermostat.

During moderate temperatures, such as during the fall and spring, open windows rather than using air conditioning or heat. Take advantage of the beautiful weather and save some money!

Whenever lights and electronics are not in use, remember to turn them off. This sounds so obvious, yet almost everyone leaves on things that really have no need of being on.

As just one example, if you have a cell phone charger, is it plugged in right now? If so, even if the phone is not connected to it, it still is using electricity.

The area in which you will find the most impact on energy costs is by creating renewable energy for your home. For instance, consider taking advantage of solar energy.

It really does not cost that much money to install solar panels in your home, especially if you spend a small amount of money to buy a do-it-yourself kit.

Likewise, if you have the property for it, using windmill energy is a lot easier than most people think and it saves a lot of energy, and as a result, a lot of money. Just speak with someone at the local hardware store and someone can probably point you in the right direction to get started in this worthwhile project.

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