Taming Your Power Bill

Here are some ways you can tame that lion of a bill:

Start changing out regular incandescent light bulbs with compact florescents. Although florescents cost more to buy, their life times are longer and they use far less electricity for the same amount of light. Most have charts or statements on the label to help you compare.

Maybe this should be number one, but turn off anything you're not using. That includes lights, TVs, radios, stereos and computers. (Most computers use the equivalent of around three 100 watt light bulbs.)

Flip the switch off on power strips, or unplug "instant on" anything, including TVs and computers.

Keep your refrigerator coils clean. Vaccuum at least twice a year. Don't overload refrigerator shelves with food. Air circulation is important and will help keep temperature even, keeping the refrigerator from running as often. Check the gasket, keep it clean and lightly oiled (run a thin film of machine oil over it occasionally for a tight seal and to preserve it.
Keep a freezer full - it operates on a different principle than a refrigerator. A frozen mass tends to keep things around it frozen, too. If you don't have enough food to fill it, use plastic containers filled two thirds of the way with water. Plastic bags of water that can be sealed make an excellent choice for odd shaped vacant areas.

Switch to using as many manual appliances as you can. Plain old hand operated can openers, knives and toothbrushes use a lot less electricity!

One modern electric appliance that will save is the microwave - BUT, if you need to bake ten potatoes, it takes less time in a conventional oven.

If you use an electric stove, use all the heat. Turn off the burners and oven a few minutes before food is through cooking. Or, if you're heating other foods there's plenty left to do the job after you turn off the burner. Remember, it's not the stove that cooks (or warms) your food. It's the heat.

If you drink tea or coffee throughout the day, use a thermos. It takes less electricity to make several cups at one time and keep it hot in a thermos than it does to make individual cups, or even reheat in the microwave (the next best move.)