Tips and Ideas that can Help Save Money on your Electric Bill

By Heather Canter

This week, we talked to readers, friends, neighbors and reviewed e-mails and websites to come up with some tips and ideas that you can use every day to save money on your electric bill. Even just the smallest change in your lifestyle that saves a little bit can add up to a lot over time.

The cooler months have nearly reached the end; however, there will still be cool mornings and cool nights, and possibly even a little more snow. Either way, the need for heat will continue for a while. Ceiling fans can help a homeowner to supplement their heating. The rotation of the ceiling fan blades can be changed to push warmer air down and circulate throughout the home. Then, the heat dial can be turned down while still maintaining a comfortable temperature. Most fans have a switch to flip that changes the blade direction, or you can check the owner's manual for information.

For years, parents have continuously reminded their kids to "turn off the light when you leave a room!" This old adage can make a big difference. By using the lighting calculator on Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation's website, www.blueridgeemc.com, I found that if you have five 100-watt standard incandescent light bulbs that are on for at least seven hours per day, the cost is $9.16 per month. It might not seem like much, but an extra $10 in the gas tank is helpful. You can get that cost down to $2.47 per month by changing to a 27-watt compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb. That alone would save a little over $80 per year.

Blue Ridge Electric currently offers CFL bulbs to customers at their district offices, below the retail price, and with a special buy five, get one free. The bulbs can also be purchased on-line at www.energyfederation.org/blueridgeemc/default.php. The Energy Federation Incorporated on-line store is exclusively for Blue Ridge Electric members. When placing an order, you can input your account number and service address and receive a 20 percent discount.

Appliances are another energy-using culprit. According to Blue Ridge Electric's website, many appliances that are turned off are still using more electricity than you think. "These devices use five percent of all energy consumed in the U.S. and cost consumers more than $3 billion every year," said a statement on the site. These appliances can add 20 percent to your monthly electric bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Blue Ridge Electric suggests knowing where these appliances are and keeping them in check.

According to the Blue Ridge Electric website, any digital displays, such as microwave and coffee machine clocks, are working against your electric bill. Many chargers around your home are also constantly using power when plugged in. These include cell phones, power tools and MP3 players. Blue Ridge Electric suggests unplugging these items to control costs. Power strips are handy to use because it can be switched off when appliances aren't in use. They also suggest unplugging any battery-operated electronic device once it is charged.

Water heaters can account for up to 14 percent of a home's energy bill. Homeowners can save money by using less hot water. Begin by turning down the thermostat on the water heater. According to Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of North Carolina, many heaters are set to 140 degrees F or higher. For most households, 115-120 degrees F is sufficient. For each 10-degree reduction you can save up to five percent on your water heating costs. Insulating your water heater and buying a more efficient water heater are also ways to save. Touchstone says to insulate the tank and pipes, but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Choose an insulation jacket with an insulating value of at least R-8, or use two R-5 jackets if that's all you can find. Jackets cost $10 to $20 and can pay for themselves via lower energy bills in less than one year.

According to Touchstone, a family of four, each showering for five minutes a day, uses 700 gallons of water a week. Touchstone offered the following tips to reduce hot water use:

New low-flow, non-aerating showerheads and faucets flow rates can't exceed more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at a water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch. Purchase quality low-flow fixtures for around $10 to $20 apiece and achieve a water savings of 25 to 60 percent.

Repair leaky faucets promptly. Leaky faucets waste gallons of water in a short period.

Purchase energy efficient dishwashers and clothes washers. Check the Energy Guide labels to determine how much energy these appliances use. Always purchase appliances with the Energy Star label.

Turn off your water heater when you're on vacation.

Install timer controls. Shut off water heaters during the night when no hot water is used, and during your cooperative's peak demand time. This modest investment can pay for itself in lower bills in about 14 months.