Electricity is one of those resources that we as a society have come to rely on very heavily.  A constant supply of electricity is generated and dispersed to the majority of our homes and it is often taken for granted.  We don’t think about its affect on our daily lives until the power goes out.   We are then left with no heat or cooling, no TV, no internet and most importantly no lights.

Compared to natural gas, oil or even in some cases, drinkable fresh water, we have the means to supply our own electricity rather easily.  We can do this through things like solar panels, wind turbines, water turbines, and yes even human powered items like bikes and cranks.

Electricity makes up approximately 25% of your monthly utility bills.

So how can you save money on electricity?

1.  Turn OFF The Lights

I know, pretty obvious suggestion right.  I wouldn’t have mentioned it, but almost every time I visit a friend or family members home there are inevitably lights on in rooms that no one is currently using.  I also find at least a few homes on my way to and from work that have their exterior lights on during the day.

Small things like this add up.  You can save up to 15% of your electric bill by not having lights turned on when you are not in the room or not home.

2.  Change Light Bulbs

Replace your current incandescent bulbs with lower wattage compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs).  It is said that a fluorescent bulb uses 75% less electricity than its equal incandescent counterpart and they last almost 10 times longer.

If you simply switch the bulbs in your most used rooms in the house, Living Room, Family Room, Kitchen & Bedrooms you can make a significant dent in your electric bill.

Just remember, the incandescent bulbs contain mercury so they must be recycled properly when they burn out.

3.  Turn Off your Power Strips

Did you know that items like, toasters, coffee makers, TV’s, DVD players, game consoles, stereo systems, printers, & computers continually use electricity even when they are OFF.

It is estimated that almost 75% of a homes monthly electric usage is used up by consumer electronics.

You can combat this by utilizing power strips effectively.  Simply turn OFF the power strip switch when your TV system & computer desk are not in use.

4.  Install Dimmer Switches

Install dimmer switches in rooms that do not require a lot of light all the time.  They go well in your living room, family room, dining room and bedrooms.  By using dimmer switches you can reduce the amount of electricity needed to illuminate those rooms that do not always require a lot of light.

Keep in mind that you must purchase fluorescent bulbs that are specially made to be dimmed.

5.  Help your appliances run more efficiently

Standard home appliances like refrigerators, freezers, dish washers, heating & cooling units and washers & dryers account for a significant portion of your everyday electrical needs.  They work hard to keep your food cold, your dishes clean, you home warm in the winter & cool in the summer, and your clothes clean.

> Refrigerators & Freezers

You can help these appliances not have to work so hard with a few easy adjustments.  You can put 2 gallons of water in your freezer.  This will help keep your freezer cold and not have to continually keep running.  You can also adjust your refrigerator temperature.  It should be set at around 38 degrees.

> Heating & Cooling

Make sure you keep your HVAC unit filters clean and your windows & doors closed during those months when you are utilizing the heating or cooling.  You can also set your thermostat to be at 68 degrees during the winter and 74 during the summer.  This will help your HVAC unit not have to work so hard.

> Washer, Dryers & Dishwashers

Wash your clothes only when there is a full load & dry your clothes on a line outside during the spring, summer and fall.

Try not running your rinse cycle on the dishwasher, especially if you are already rinsed your dishes before they went in.

These are just a few things that you can do to help save money on electricity.  Whether you are on the main power grid or are utilizing your own power supply it is important to regulate the usage of electricity on a daily basis.

What are some unique ways that you have found to save money on your electricity bill?