How to Save Money on Electricity

How baby boomers can save money on electricity

Baby boomers facing early retirement or semi-retirement, constitute a large part of the national work force, at the moment. That is about to change and there are going to be many baby boomers with reductions in income or loss of income. Electricity is a commodity everyone still has to purchase and the cost of electricity is on the rise.

How can a baby boomer save money on electricity?

Consider some of the following tips.

Downsize your home.

As a baby boomer, who has raised a large family, you may no longer need even a quarter of the electricity you have consumed in the past, because there are two of you or you may be alone. Consider downsizing your home to meet your current needs, rather than continuing to pay out a huge amount of money on electricity bills, for a large house. A one or two bedroom home might be more appropriate than a five bedroom home, at this time in your life.

Update your appliances.

Many of your appliances may work well, but they are probably getting obsolete and consume a lot of electricity. Do serious research and find appliances that do not require that volume of energy consumption, every month. Your hydro-electric bill will drop considerably, if you make some changes.

Check your lighting.

Out of habit, as soon as it is dark, every light in the house is likely turned on, by someone. Many of those lights are not necessary. Keeping your lights low in the evening, can be to your advantage. It is peaceful and costs less. When you leave a room, turn out the lights.

Use low energy light bulbs.

Low energy light bulbs appear to be expensive when purchased initially, but if you replace the bulbs, as the older ones burn out, it will not be long before you have replaced all of them. They may take longer to come on and the lighting may be a bit different, but you will become accustomed to the lighting and enjoy it. You may not need two or three light bulbs in your lighting fixtures. Replace fixtures that require more than one light bulb.

Put up a clothesline.

Using a dryer tends to consume extra energy, but you do not need to use it for everything you wash. Linens, towels and clothing have a fresh scent when brought in from outdoors. Even when it is cold outside, it is refreshing to spend a moment or two outside. Clotheslines are relatively inexpensive. Setting up a small clothesline inside your home can save you some money. Clothes will dry, as long as there is air circulating.

Purchase major appliances in smaller sizes.

Purchasing appliances like washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves and freezers in smaller sizes, can be to your advantage. It may take a while to show up on your electric bill, but the money you save on electricity will pay for the new appliances, over time. Use cold water instead of hot water for washing your clothes, when possible. You may no longer need a huge freezer. Replace it with a smaller one.

Reduce your use of electric heating.

If you are a high energy consumer because you have electric heating, consider other options. It may cost less to use natural gas for your heat, as well as for your stove and hot water tank. Do serious research on the Internet and compare the cost. Keep open doors and windows at a minimum, when the heat is on. Reduce the number of rooms you heat and turn your thermostat down at night. If you are going to be away, turn down the thermostat then, too.

Evaluate your small appliances.

Many people have dozens of small appliances that sit on the counter and  though they are not used, at that time, they are plugged in. When you are not using an appliance, make certain that it is unplugged, as it may be using extra energy. If you have an electric coffeepot, when your coffee is ready, unplug it.

Turn off your television and other electronic devices.

When you are not watching television, make a habit of turning if off, as it is consuming energy all of the time it is on. The same is true for a radio, a CD or DVD player or a record player.

Reduce your number of electric clocks.

Most people have a number of clocks that consume energy continually. You may not need all of the clocks you have, at the moment. You can reduce the number that you have. Do you need one in each room? Another way to save a few dollars is to purchase a grandfather clock that will chime the time for you, on the hour and half hour. You will know exactly what time it is and you will enjoy the chimes. The sound makes a home feel like a home.

Turn off your computer.

Many people never turn their computers off when they are not at home. It may save time if you leave it on, but it does consume energy continually, as long as it is plugged in. When you want to use it, turn it on and when you are not using it, turn it off.

Purchase solar lighting.

Solar lighting is relatively new, but as lighting or emergency lighting, it can be wonderful. Many small solar lamps, garden or patio lights or lighting for your driveway can be purchased, without a lot of cost. Turn your outdoor lights off, at night. A solar light will re-energize itself, once the sun shines. Check your batteries, in case they need to be replaced. A solar lamp is not as bright as regular lighting, but it can be romantic in a living room or a kitchen, during the evening. If you prefer to keep a light on all night, in the hallway or the bathroom, consider a small solar light.

Unplug home office equipment.

If you have a home office, you may be able to leave printers, scanners and fax machines unplugged, unless they are in use. It takes a moment to plug them back in and can save you dollars, in the long run. If you are sending or expecting a fax, turn your fax machine on, at that time. Then, unplug it again.

Teach your family to save energy.

Saving energy, while no one else in your home does, would appear to be a futile exercise, so make certain that what your are doing in your home to save energy, is done by the other members of your family, too. Teach everyone to save energy and give them incentive to do so. Offer them a night out on the town, if the energy bill comes in at ten percent less.

Open your drapes or blinds.

Most homes in the city have street lighting that is sufficient at night, if you leave your drapes or blinds open. You may not need to put lights on in most of your home. If you do use lights, turn on one light in a room, instead of three or four. You can use scented candles, too. Be cautious with respect to privacy, potential intruders and fire.

Plan your baking and cooking carefully.

When planning your baking projects, bake a number of things in the oven, at the same time. With your cooking, do the same thing. Bake or cook in large portions and freeze some, for a later date. If you keep a container of frozen water in the freezer unit of your refrigerator and another one in your freezer, it will not only save energy, but it will keep food from thawing out immediately, if there is a power outage. Using a barbecue is another option.

Limit the use of air conditioners and fans.

Opening your windows will allow fresh, clean air to circulate in your home. You do not need air conditioners or fans on all of the time, unless you are in a hot part of the country. Then, you can restrict their usage to certain times. Outdoor air is good for your health.

Assess your home for energy loss.

Many hydro electric companies are willing to visit people in their homes and discuss their energy consumption. They will give you tips and assess your home for energy loss.

Insulate your home.

If your home is not well insulated, you will have high heat and energy loss. Consult an expert, as to how you can prevent the loss of heat and energy by insulating your home properly.

These are a few ways that you can save money on electricity. Most of them are common sense. Do these things and enjoy watching your energy bill drop.