How To Lower Your Electric Bills

OK, so we all know this is a no brainer, right?

Then why do we leave the lights on when we leave a room. Probably the easiest of all and keeps you in the mindset of conserving energy. It's a flip of a switch and it's all in the wrist!

Whether you have central air or an individual window or wall unit, be sure to clean the air filters every month. Dirt buildup and dust restrict air flow, reducing efficiency. Dryer filters should be cleaned each time you use your dryer.

Use decreased wattage of bulbs and decrease the lights you use inside and outside your home. Use dimmers, if possible inside and motion sensors outside.

Use compact fluorescent bulbs as well to lower wattage. We use these bulbs in my home and the light that they give off is amazing and we are saving on our energy bill. Switching four 75-watt incandescent for 19-watt CFLs can save almost $30 a year -- and not only do CFLs use less energy than conventional bulbs, but they also generate less heat.

Unplug appliances, lights and any electrical item you don't use consistently. I unplugged all the lights in my home that we don't use regularly.

All those pretty blue and red lights that glow at night use electricity.

Phone chargers that are plugged in and are not in use STILL use electricity.

You can use a power strip and unplug the power strip at night. All your computer plugs that are plugged into a power strip still use electricity, unplug that power strip! There are now energy saving power strips that you turn off up to 10 plugs, you just turn the power strip off.

Unplug that coffee machine after morning coffee!

These are big hows in lowering electric bills.

When using your dishwasher, make sure you fill the dishwasher with a full load before running.

Use the energy saving or short cycle. By not using the heat dry you will also reduce electrical usage with your dishwasher.

If you only have a few dishes wash and let those babies air dry.

Make sure you are washing a full load. Use the Energy Saving setting or short cycle.

By using cold water you can save up to 8 cents on every load, and your clothes will still come out clean.

If you are in the market to buy a new washing machine, top loading machines may be the most popular model of washing machines because of their lower purchase cost, but they are not the most economical choice. Front loading washers may cost a bit more at the store, but they are more energy efficient since they have a larger capacity meaning fewer loads need to be done, less water is used so there is less water to heat, and the higher speed spin cycle removes more water from the clean clothes easing the dryer's work load.

When using your dryer, make sure you are drying a full load.

Use the dryer's moisture sensor. This detects when clothes in the dryer are dry and automatically shuts itself off. Not over-drying clothes can save tremendously. Another tip is to switch to the cool-down cycle halfway through the drying process. There is usually enough residual heat left in the dryer to finsh drying your clothes. If you hang up or fold clothes as soon as they are dry, your clothes will be wrinkle free and you won't have to iron your clothes.

You can even opt to line dry your clothes instead of using the dryer.

Use an electric thermostat and set it for evenings and days and adjust according to the season. Programming your thermostat to give your air conditioner a break for the eight hours you're at work could save you about $180 a year, according to EnergyStar.gov guidelines.

In the spring and fall, turn off the heat unless the temperature outside gets below freezing. Temperature variations near the thermostat will affect the whole house. Be sure your thermostat is located in an area that is not too cold or hot. Install an automatic timer to keep the thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and 55 degrees at night. If it seems chilly - put on a sweater. Wear warm layered clothing indoors during cold weather. Some of the new synthetics are the best for thermal layering. If you live in a cold climate and can comfortably walk around in a tank top and shorts - you're wasting money!

Better yet, use a fan. A breeze makes the room feel a few degrees cooler. Just be sure to turn it off when you leave.

Consider heating your home with the sun's help. Energy from solar panels or using solar heat to supplement your normal heating source is cost effective in most parts of the world. The initial cost may seem higher, but over the long run it costs the least and many energy hungry areas provide generous tax rebates for installing solar panels.