Saving Money on Electricity: A Money-Saving Maintenance
An electrical appliance that does not work at maximum capacity results in less than ideal performance and higher electricity bills. That is why it is best to save on electricity to save more money.
Here is how you can get everything saved up:
1. Keep your appliances clean and well maintained. Regular cleaning and maintenance keep your appliances in top shape. Hence, it will perform better and consumes lesser energy. Energy saved is money
2. Have an annual checkup by a qualified service technician. This can reduce the appliances operating costs by as much as 20%, extend the system’s life, and improve its safety and air quality.
3. When using air conditioners, it is best to establish your comfort temperature and then set your thermostat at that level permanently. This will definitely save on electric bills because the air conditioning unit takes less energy to cool air four to five degrees than it does to cool air eight to ten degrees.
4. Replace any items that may have been ten years or older already. Old appliances are most likely not at their optimum efficiency. By replacing them, your electric bills may be cut by half.
5. If you experience a power outage, make sure you turn off the switch on your appliances and allow time to pass before turning the appliances on again when the power returns.
6. In refrigerators, do not overstuff compartments with bottles and plastic containers. Cool air must circulate freely to avoid overworking the condenser.
Also, try not to leave the door of your refrigerator as open as possible or open longer than what is needed. This will have the tendency to allow the cool air to break out.
7. Always try to look for the energy-saving logo or notes whenever you buy your new appliances. Buying an appliance with a logo that states it consumes lower energy will definitely save you more money on your electricity.
8. Always use energy-saving lights or light bulbs. These energy-saving lights or light bulbs usually last up to 12 times longer. Plus, energy-saving light bulbs consume less energy. Hence, you will be able to save more money just by saving on electricity.
9. Use energy-saving facilities at home like energy-saving windows or energy-saving appliances. This will lessen the consumption of energy and, thus, will let you save on money.
For instance, use a double-glazed window instead of the ordinary window.
10. Use insulators at home. This will not let the warm or cool air out, and vice-versa.
Indeed, saving on electricity will definitely save more money.
But the experts were right: what could go wrong?
To start with, I was leaving money on the table. My monthly bill was $140. It should have been $100. The fix was as simple as calling up the company and negotiating a lower rate.
Other savings were less obvious. For example, I replaced two 15-watt incandescent bulbs with 40-watt fluorescents. I got half the light but used a quarter of the electricity. But 40 watts of fluorescent lighting costs $80.
Then there was the electric bill. I was letting it sit on the table for 30 days or more before paying it. Eventually, I had to pay late fees. But still, the bill was $140. I should have paid it every month.
Finally, I began to notice that my freezer was leaking. This had been nagging at me for years, and I finally fixed it. But it took 20 minutes, and the cost was $40.
By the end of the year, I had saved $140 on electricity.
There are dozens of ways to save money. But none of them is as simple or obvious as changing light bulbs and paying bills on time.
Here is one: Tips
1. Take a notebook with you to the hardware store. Before you leave, jot down the prices of the things you want to buy.
2. When the store clerk asks you for an amount, write the amount in the notebook.
