5 Ways to Save Money on Your Electricity Bills

Utility bills are rapidly getting out of hand in many countries around the world and this unnerving trend is not showing any sign of abating in the foreseeable future. There is also the environment to consider and, today, there is an increasing emphasis on the importance of living a more sustainable lifestyle. There are various ways in which you can save money on your electricity bills and, if you make the effort, you could enjoy a very considerable drop in your monthly outgoings.

Don't Leave Electrical Appliances on Standby

This might not make much difference to your bills but, what you must remember, is that every little helps. It doesn't take the slightest effort to ensure that electrical appliances are properly turned off when you have finished using them. All it takes is a moment of thought when you finish watching television or using your computer. Devices left on standby do use up a small amount of power and, if there is no reason to leave them turned on, why do it?

Use Fluorescent Lightbulbs

Fluorescent lightbulbs use a fraction of the amount of electrical power of traditional incandescent bulbs and they provide just as much light. They are a lot more expensive to buy in the first place, but they also come with generous warranties and should normally last many times longer than regular bulbs. If most of the electrical power in your home is consumed by lights, you can expect to slash your electricity bills by using fluorescent lightbulbs.

Avoid Electric Heaters

Electric heaters cost a fortune to run. To give you an idea of just how much power they consume, the average electric heater (particularly the older ones) draw about 2000 watts when on full power. By contrast, a single fluorescent lightbulb which is bright enough to light up an average room uses 18 to 23 watts. Of course, heating might not be optional in some climates but, there are generally more energy-efficient ways to heat a home. Keep electrical heater usage down to a bearable minimum.

Cut Down on Electric Oven Usage

An electric oven uses anything between 2000 and 4000 watts of power. It is because electric ovens require so much electricity that they often have dedicated power points for them. Using an electric oven to excess can make an enormous impact on your electricity bills, particularly if you are in the habit of cooking things like stews and roasts. Cut down as much as you can by having more cold meals, reheating things with a microwave and using the hob more often.

Replace Your Electrical Appliances

In the world of electrical appliances, energy efficiency is one of the most commonly talked about statistics. Today's electrical goods are generally far more energy-efficient than they were a few years ago. Things like old refrigerators, washing machines and driers, for example, tend to draw a lot more power than they really need to. It might seem expensive to replace white goods, but it can save you a great deal on your utility bills in the longer term.

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