Electric Bill
One of the major concerns in the world today is the depletion of energy. As concerned citizens, people must make a concerted effort to be conscious citizens and save electricity. Electricity has become integral to life but imagine having to live without power.
Conservation of electricity benefits people personally as they will pay a lower Electric Bill. Consider:
1. Doing an energy audit. This will tell them to know how and when they use energy and where the wastage lies. People will be able to make an “energy savings plan” by pinpointing exactly how they can cut back on energy consumption. Some ideas may be as simple as don’t leave the coffee machine on at all times.
2. Think about resetting the thermostat ten degrees lower during the night. If someone can do this for say approximately eight hours a day they will save 10 percent on electricity without sacrificing comfort. Insulate the home in winter by drawing shut the drapes.
3. Check all insulation in the house. If people increase attic insulation to around 12 inches the electricity consumption will reduce by 20 percent.
4. Plant more trees around the house. These will cool the house in the summer and insulate the house in winter. Studies show that green cover benefits in many ways.
5. Have all electricity wires and outlets checked for leakage. Check all fuses and appliances.
6. Fluorescent light bulbs are energy efficient. They use 75 percent less energy than ordinary light bulbs. These have a longer life and contribute to great savings.
7. Use energy-efficient appliances. These use less energy and a high-efficiency refrigerator uses less electricity than a light bulb.
8. When people are away even for a few hours or days they should turn off and unplug all electrical appliances and turn settings on the thermostat, water heater, and refrigerator to the lowest setting.
9. Ensure that people use a water-saving shower head. Water heating costs for a family can be lowered by at least 250 US dollars a year.
10. Weatherize a home. This helps reduce heating bills by 20 percent and cooling by at least 10 percent. Even when building a home or decorating it, use weather-friendly materials. Install windows and glass panes on the roof in such a way that they use sunlight to light up the rooms during daylight hours. Make an effort to switch off lights and fans when leaving a room. Ensure that the filters in air conditioners and heaters are always cleaned and free of clogs and dust.
If people live an energy-efficient lifestyle they will see the numbers on the energy bill reduce. The power to cut energy costs is well within a homeowner’s control. It is as simple as only washing full loads and that too in cold water. Use the hot wash option only for very dirty clothes. Cook food only just before they are ready to eat that way they can save reheating costs as well as refrigerating costs of storing the food. Turn the thermostat of the refrigerator to a minimum in cold or cool weather. Switch off freezers if they are not in use. Small contributions can all add up to significant amounts of power saved. And, power saved means money in the bank.