Reducing the electric bill in the summer can be quite a challenge, but with a little work and planning ahead, it can be less of a hassle. Here are a few suggestions:
Turn off all unnecessary electrical appliances that are using energy, like wall warts, computers you don’t use very often, cellphone chargers (cells should not be kept on the charger all the time because it’s bad for the battery), and lights that other people are not using in the house. Bottom line is: if you’re not using it, turn it off.
Use less AC! That may sound really hot, but it’s better than receiving a big electric bill at the end of the month. Instead, try wearing a damp cloth around your neck. You can even put a wet one in the freezer for a few minutes to make it even colder. Electric fans are also less expensive to use than AC.
Using less AC doesn’t mean it can’t taste good. Make cold lemonade, tea, smoothies, or Popsicles and keep them on hand in the refrigerator so you can cool down.
Use the stove less. The stove will heat the house and you. Plan ahead and make meals that require as little cooking as possible. For instance, cook the main dish (let’s say beef), but make a fruit salad or coleslaw to go along with it. That way you have something fresh and hot and something fresh and cold.
Wash dishes by hand. Running the dishwasher runs up the electric and water bill higher than many of us like. Washing by hand will require a little more work, but it will bring down the cost.
Use a clothesline instead of the dryer on your clothes. Again, this may take extra work, but it will be worth it all when you start to save money.
If you live in a dry area, you can run a swamp cooler. A swamp cooler uses less energy than AC, but still cools down the house. Open the windows and get air moving to cool down the house.
Watch less TV. The TV uses electricity too, and the more you use it, the more you pay. Instead, find fun activities for the whole family to do together. Spend more time playing board games or talking. Make popcorn the old-fashioned way with a pot on the stove. Camp out in the living room with sheet tents. Play hide-and-seek in the dark with flashlights. Be creative!
If you really think about it, reducing the electric bill can be pretty simple.