10 Ways to Save on Your Summer Electricity Bill

With the heat of the summer comes higher electricity bills, which can do serious damage to the family budget and indicate an inefficiency that's less than ideal for the environment. Instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars to pay your electric bill, try these money-saving tips for keeping cool without overspending.

1. Install a Programmable Thermostat – Installing a thermostat is relatively easy, and having a programmable one will really make a difference in your bill. You will no longer need to remember to crank the air up when you get home or dial it down as you’re walking out of the house. After a week of having a programmable thermostat installed, you will discover any changes you need to make in the programs. Some programmable thermostats also include a filter reminder feature that will let you know when it's time to chance your furnace filter.

2. Change Incandescent Bulbs to Fluorescent Bulbs – Making the switch from incandescent bulbs to fluorescent ones will cut down on your electricity bill immediately. The difference in energy usage is surprisingly vast between these two styles of bulbs. Also, fluorescents last longer and don’t give off as much heat as incandescent bulbs.

3. Caulk Around Your Windows and Door Frames – Using caulk to plug nearly invisible holes around your windows and door frames will ensure that the cool air will not escape your home as easily and will prevent warm air from seeping in. If you’re thinking of white caulk like that which is used around bathtubs, think again. You can use clear caulk to avoid the unsightly white goop.

4. Apply Tinted Film to Your Windows – By taking the time to apply a thin, tinted film to your windows, you can cut down on your energy use and make a noticeable difference on the bill. It will filter out the rays of the sun, and thereby lessen the amount of heat that makes it through your windows and curtains to boost the temperature indoors.

5. Create a Payment Plan with Your Electric Company – One way to greatly cut down on your bill is to talk with your electric company to see if they offer a fixed-rate payment plan. Some allow you to make equal payments every month based on the electricity used in the previous year. At the end of the year, you either receive a check for the difference if your use was less than previous years or owe a slight balance.

6. Close the Fireplace Flue – Closing the flue on your fireplace is a simple task that's easily forgotten when the weather starts to warm up and the fireplace is out of commission for the season. Closing the flue after the last fire in your fireplace burns will help prevent heat from flowing into your house freely.

7. Wear Light, Loose Clothing – Something you can do to beat the heat a bit without spending any money on energy use at all is to simply watch what you're wearing around the house. When you’re home from work, you don’t need to wear the same clothes you wore all day. Instead, throw on your favorite pair of shorts and a loose t-shirt. While wearing light clothing, you will not need to keep the temperature as cool in your house, cutting down on your electric bill.

8. Open the Blinds, Curtains and Windows at Night – Opening the blinds, curtains and windows at night will allow cool air to flow into your house, naturally cooling it down. Just be sure to close everything when you wake up in the morning, otherwise the heat of the day will flood your house and create more problems for you.

9. Have Your Air Conditioner Checked – Call your local HVAC company to come out and check your air conditioning unit and your vents to make sure everything is working properly. Having well-maintained equipment will ensure the best possible energy usage levels. This will lead to fewer surprises when your bill comes in the mail every month.

10. Limit the Use of Heated Appliances to Evening Hours – Appliances such as your oven, dishwasher and dryer should be used only during the evening hours whenever possible. The less you use these items during the heat of the day, the less work your air conditioner has to do to make up for the higher temperatures invading your house.

Getting the electricity bill in the mail every month can be a shock during the summer months, but it doesn’t have to be. Lower your bill by following a few simple rules and making some changes to your regular lifestyle. You won’t regret taking the time to do so, as you'll be saving money as you do your part to help save the planet.

Resources:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4887528_reduce-electric-bills-summer.html
http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/family-money/13-simple-ways-to-lower-you...