Save on Electricity Bills: Ten Tips That Will Save You a Fortune

Don't you just love summer? Everyone does, but how many people look forward to their skyrocketing energy bills? We are all reeling from a weakened economy and looking for ways to save money on energy. Here are ten tips that will show you how to save on electricity bills.

1. Cooling costs burn money. In most homes, air conditioning costs comprise 16% of total electricity used (more than anything else). In hotter locations, this can run as high as 60 to 70% of your summer energy bill. You need to strive to keep cooling costs down. To start with, try keeping your AC at 80 degrees F. If you're serious about saving on electricity bills, look at your cooling costs first since this is what uses the most energy.

2. Change your old refrigerator. Your refrigerator is the second biggest user of electricity in your home. If you bought your refrigerator prior to 1990, the chances are that a new refrigerator would be four times more energy efficient.

3. Insulate your home. This will ensure that heat does not escape. Insulate your attic. This will keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, and it will also get you a 30% tax credit. Ensure that heat is not escaping from your doors. If so, install weather stripping. Caulk your windows and use weather stripping if needed.

4. Use ceiling fans. They're a useful alternative to AC at night and when it is not too hot. Ceiling fans can keep you between 3 to 4 degrees cooler.

5. Washing clothes can clean out your wallet. Most of the energy used to wash clothes - about 90% - is used to heat the water. Consider washing your clothes in cold water. If you insist on using hot water, you can start saving by turning the temperature down. You can also change to a front-loader washing machine. They use 63% less water than a top-loader. Less water means that you require less electricity to heat the water.

6. Use motion detectors outside. If you're the type of person that prefers to leave the exterior lights on when you go out at night, then consider the use of motion detectors. They will automatically come on when you return, and be activated in the event that an intruder enters your property. There's no need to leave exterior lighting on, burning through your cash.

7. Change you water heater. Many homes use the old-style tank water heaters. These heaters keep the water hot 24/7 and this uses a lot of electricity. The heat is also lost to the surrounding air, which means that more energy needs to be spent to keep the water hot. Nowadays, you can buy a tankless unit that heats the water when you turn on the faucet. This eliminates the "standby" losses. Tankless units may be more expensive to install, but they last twice as long as tank water heaters. A great way to save on electricity bills.

8. Switch your light bulbs. Replace your conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's). They will save you a fortune. They are 70% more efficient on energy and last ten times longer than the old-style light bulb. CFL's also generate a lot less heat, which means that in the summer months, you spend less on cooling bills. Turn off your lights when you're not using them.

9. Curtail heating costs. Only heat those rooms that you actually use. Consider the use of space heaters in the rooms that you use as opposed to turning on the heat in the entire house. Use rugs on bare floors if you walk around bare footed or in your socks. If your feet get cold, then you will be cold. Turn down the heat at night in winter. Let your blankets do their job and keep you warm. You can turn up the heat in the morning when you wake up. If your rooms are not getting enough heat, adjust the dampers that control the inflow of air and how much each air duct gets.

10. Install a skylight. This is another great way to save money on energy.

Saving on electricity bills also helps the environment. You may not see any pollution when you switch on your lights and use electricity, but the power plants that generate that power generally burn fossil fuels to generate the electricity. If you use less electricity, we will produce less pollution. Being energy-smart not only saves you money, it saves the planet as well.