Switch, Unplug, or Turn It Off

There are several ways to cut the electricity bill; insulating pipes and attic, weatherizing windows, solar panels, and energy efficient appliances are just a few. All of these will pay for themselves in time but the upfront cost can be hard to swallow and may need time to have a budgeted amount set aside. Here are some ways that are cheaper to free.

Switch

• Switch out the old light bulbs- Energy saving bulbs may cost a little more than your average bulb, but they use 75. We have 980 watts worth of light bulbs in our home and replaced 837 of those watts with energy saving bulbs. That's only 143 watts being used if all of our lights are on. It will also minimize the effect on your bill from accidentally leaving a light on for too long. Yes, they do take a second to turn on and a short time to get bright, but I think that is nicer on the eyes, especially for a midnight bathroom visit.
• Take out surplus bulbs- Our bathroom is just as well lit with 2 energy bulbs as it was with 4 vanity bulbs (30 watts compared to 240). We also removed our porch light, to avoid accidentally leaving it on, because our landlord has a shared watch light.
• Switch the thermostat to a higher/lower degree- Higher in the summer and lower in the winter just a a degree or two will save you money.

Unplug

• Unplug the TV, radio, microwave, computer, and other electronics that keep time or have memory-  75% of the electricity used to power them is consumed while they are turned off because they still draw power while plugged in.
• Try using a power strip- Power strips are much easier to turn off then unplugging multiple electronics.

Turn It Off

• If it doesn't need to be on, turn it off.
• Turn off the Lights- We have all heard it before but turning the lights off will save you in more than one way. First you will not be using unnecessary energy to light a room that is not in use. And second, you will not forget to turn the light off later. Ever leave a closet light on over night by accident? That jumps your bill especially if the light is not an energy saver.
• Turn off the power strip- Most commonly used for computers, printers, scanners, and TVs and  DVD players, Power strips are easy to turn off and keep the secret sappers from using energy.
• Turn off the computer.. or at least the monitor. Sleep mode is another good alternative. 
• Freeze Out- Turn off the AC. During the cold night and hot day combination, open your windows at night and close them before dawn. 'Freeze Out' to put off turning on the AC during the day. Use an extra blanket at night and bundle up in the morning. It is always easier to get warm than to get cool cheaply.
• Turn off water heater- or turn it to vacation or low while away for more than 3 days.

TIPS- For more ways to save energy visit http://www.rockymountainpower.net/res/sem/het.html. Find energy saving programs with incentives.