How to Lower Your Electric Bill

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Many ways to help the environment are costly, but using less electricity is one measure that will save you money.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Awareness of how you're wasting electricity
Self-discipline

Step 1: Turn it off

Get in the habit of turning things off when you leave a room. That means not just the lights, but every appliance that's not in use: the TV, the radio, the computer, the cable box, the coffeemaker—everything!

Step 2: Switch to CFBs

Replace all bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent bulbs. They're more expensive, but they pay off in the long run by using 75 percent less energy and lasting ten times longer than incandescent bulbs.

Tip: See if your electric company offers free energy audits, where an official comes to your home and shows you ways to cut down on your usage.

Step 3: Keep fridge closed

Don't be one of those people who open the refrigerator door and stares around like they're looking at the Mona Lisa. Every time the door is opened, up to 30 percent of the cold air is released.

Tip: Check your refrigerator seal by putting a dollar bill in the door; if you can pull it out, the seal needs replacing.

Step 4: Cover leftovers

Cover all the liquids and foods you put in the refrigerator. Exposed food gives off moisture, which makes your refrigerator work harder.

Step 5: Wash and dry prudently

Don't run the washing machine or dishwasher unless you have a full load of laundry. Don't wash clothes or towels until they're really dirty, and, when you can, hang your wet laundry on racks or out on the line to dry.

Step 6: Use AC wisely

Set your air-conditioner to 78 degrees, and don't start off on "high"—it won't cool down the place any faster.

Tip: To keep the air conditioner running efficiently, clean the filter every month.

Step 7: Banish plants

Put indoor plants outside in the summer; they put moisture into the air that makes the AC work harder.

Step 8: Make home more energy efficient

Make your home more energy efficient. Try to get rid of air leaks, and look into covering your old water heater with an insulated blanket.

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Howto & Style

Tags:

• homefamily
• diy
• instructional
• tutorial
• do
• it
• yourself
• tips
• essential
• skills
• learn
• to
• environment
• green

[rebeccawashere]

Tip: Never put you wet clothes indoor on a line because the moisture from the clothes will stay in your house and mildew will start to form.

[eliados2020]

LOL ... Like you're looking at the Mona Lisa... whahaha, that was goood :DDDD

[davidckirkland]

@vstatv I'll bite, whats your secret?

[RUSSIAN428]

why the fuck you put drity money in frige



[csv35]

One) you should UNPLUG appliances other than things tht u can't like T.Vs an comps and the fridge and yes things tht r plugged still do draw energy

[q2alphadog]

@Squirmuls - Awesome! What was it before?

[ReHabReLap]

her seal is broken0.o

[abdullahal561]

This video look like easy but it's not.I'm lazy to do those stuff.so I have to pay $113 buck every month.not cool :p

[iGotShelz]

I heard that you should unplug things instead of turning them off because they still draw energy even if they're off. But this is only what someone said.

[Squirmuls]

@q2alphadog HOLY SHIT THX SO MUCH MY BILL WAS $22.83!!!!!!

[janeisgreen]

Hanging clothes to dry indoors in the winter is a good thing! The indoor air is very dry in the winter.

[FewScrewsLoose99]

here's a top tip use some commen sense... typical yanks, idiots