The Kestner Team

How To Lower Your Electric Bill – Part Three

From BeatTheRecession.com

This is the third part of an ongoing series on how to lower your electric bill. Please see yesterday’s newsletter for part two.

1. Get an energy-efficient electric water heater. To check, just read the label or call your local power company.

2. Set the thermostat. Set the water heater thermostat at 140 degrees if you have an electric dishwasher or 120 degrees if you do not. Always turn off the circuit breaker before you adjust the thermostat on an electric water heater.

3. Insulate the pipes going into and out of the water heater tank. Add an insulated blanket around your water heater if it's an older model.

4. Get a low-flow showerhead. It can reduce water use by 50-70 percent. A good shower massager can also help give you the feeling of a stronger flow.

5. If you are away – turn it off. Turn the water heater off when you're gone longer than a weekend.

6. Run the dishwasher only when it's full.

7. Use compact fluorescent bulbs. Although they cost a little more than regular bulbs, they last up to 10 times longer and will save up to 75 percent in lighting energy. See our recent Beat The Recession article on Compact Fluorescents.

8. One Not Two. For more light, use one large bulb rather than several small ones. A 100-watt bulb produces more light with less energy than two 60-watt bulbs.

9. Drop the wattage. Use low-watt bulbs where lighting is not critical.

10. Location, Location, Location. Place floor lamps and hanging lamps in corners. The reflection off the walls will give you more light.

11. Dim it. Dimmer switches are actually smarter