3 Easy Ways to Save $30 a Month on Your Electric Bill

3 Ways to save big on your electric bill without driving yourself crazy!


Granny would be remiss if I were to forget about the savings method of getting cash now. True, I focus on bringing money in, but lets face it... That won't help if we send out as much as we bring in, right?


Here are three simple tips guaranteed to save you at least $30 per month on your electric bill, starting right now!


TIP 1: Unplug


Yes, derned near everything. If it isn't being used, don't have the plug in the wall. Period.


I don't care what it is – hair dryer, curling iron, television, radio or computer. If the plug is in the outlet, it is draining electricity 24/7/365. That is a drain you are paying cash money for!


Because the house I currently live in is nearly 100% electric, this tip actually saves me far more than per month... more like $70 to $90, and that is every month.


If you or (more likely) the rest of the family has a problem remembering to unplug things when they are done using them, post sticky notes. Really. Slap hands or ground kids from the TV if necessary.


Just try this one for a solid month and you won't have any problem figuring out creative ways to make sure the family toes the line – I promise!


TIP 2: Install Ceiling Fans + Have Them Hard-wired


This is a several part tip. First thing is to watch the sales papers for the local home improvement stores (or use your points site!) to find the best prices on your fans. You are going to want several if you don't already have some, so you want the best possible deals you can get.


Next, you want one for each bedroom, and for the gathering areas of the house (living room, family room, kitchen, etc.) Figure on average that each fan you use will save you $5 to $7 per month on your utilities.


Finally, have them hard-wired to a switch. Most people can do this without hiring an electrician, and you can find videos and information sites to help with the process. It isn't difficult (just remember that if you are a clod like me – turn off the breaker! My husband doesn't bother with that... Not safe.)


Having your fan run based on a switch means that when its off, its off, and not draining electricity. I leave the fan at my preferred speed, and shut it off at the wall. That way I don't have to mess with the chains all the time, and its not sucking up power when I don't have it spinning and don't need light.


All ceiling fans have a switch to change the direction of the rotation... Used correctly, you will save money year round. In summer, you will run your air-conditioner far less, and in winter you'll need less active furnace time. You just have to remember to switch the rotation direction to benefit.


TIP 3: Understand your trade-offs


For example: If you have an electric stove and a gas furnace, you can save money by using the stove appropriately. First, it doesn't take much electric to have a burner going, but moist air is necessary indoors in the winter for health reasons as well as to feel more comfortable. Keep a pot of water on. I start mine on low, and keep it on warm until the furnace is running less than once every hour. Of course, if I'm cooking soup for dinner, I don't need that other pot of water boiling...


When I bake, I leave the oven door slightly ajar after taking my dishes out in order to capitalize on the otherwise wasted heat as it cools.


These tiny sub-tips won't save much per month, but it does add up over time. The more efficient your appliances and the more efficient your practices in using them, the more money you can save. Every little bit helps!


Along these same lines... How much effort does it take to open or close your blinds or curtains? The rule of thumb is: If its winter and the sun is shining in a window – open the curtains, if not, close them. Opposite for summer. Not rocket science, right? Yet, few people do this for whatever delusional reasons they come up with. Understand that the difference in temperature can be as much as 10 degrees. That's a ton of air-conditioner or furnace time...


Finally, if you really need a utility-bill-saving strategy – do it yourself!


My dishwasher is a deluxe model, multi-purpose, guaranteed-to-work-every-time, 47 year old model. It rarely breaks down, hasn't ever needed to be replaced since it was put into service, and does a fantastic job. It uses less water than any other model on the market today, uses NO electricity (except the water pump from the well and a teeny amount for heating water), and doesn't require fancy chemicals to make it work. And, it was free.


My dishwasher is me.


Ladies – if you need or want to save a ton of money – dump the dishwasher AND your excuses. There is simply no justification. Not time. Not effort. Not “saving water” or “saving the environment.” Sorry – the only excuse for using this contraption is pure unadulterated laziness. What a poor example to set for the children.


I can do the dishes – including pots and pans – from a full Thanksgiving meal for 10 people with less than 10 gallons of water – including pre-rinsing them all. It costs far less for soap (uses less per wash) and does not require extra chemicals to “prevent spots.” I don't waste energy drying – that's what a rack is for. AND, I get it done faster, too.


Frankly, if you need to save money: Idiots dry dishes and morons worry about spots. If you're so worried about your hands wear gloves.


All the crap they tell you at the store to get you to buy these things is just that – CRAP. All sales pitch. I don't care what “documentation” they hand you that looks all scientific and official. Put that load in the toilet instead of on your water, electric and gas bills.