Articles / Ten Ways to Cut Your San Francisco Electric Bill

Consider these:

1. 1.Performing an energy audit: This will tell you how and when yo u use energy and where the wastage lies. You will be able to make an “energy savings plan” by pinpointing exactly how you can cut back on electrical energy consumption. Some ideas may be as simple as don’t leave the lights on or don’t run all of the appliances at one time or repair those leaky faucets which deplete the electric water heaters resources.
   

2. 2.Think about resetting the thermostat 5-10 degrees lower during the night. If you can do this for say approximately eight hours a day you will save 10% on electricity without sacrificing indoor air comfort. Insulate the home in winter by drawing shut the drapes.
   

3. 3.Check all insulation in the house. If you increase attic insulation to around 12 inches the electricity consumption will reduce by 20 percent, have plenty of installed insulation.
   

4. 4.Plant more trees around the house these will cool the house in summer and insulate the house in winter. Studies show that a green cover benefits in many ways.
   

5. 5.Have all electrical wiring and outlets checked. Check all electric appliances, breakers, and fuses.
   

6. 6.Fluorescent light fixtures and fluorescent bulbs are very energy efficient. They use 75% less energy than ordinary light bulbs. These have a longer life and contribute to great electrical energy savings.
   

7. 7.Use energy efficient appliances. These use less energy and believe it or not, a high efficiency refrigerator uses less electricity than a light bulb.
   

8. 8.When you are away even for a few hours or days you should turn off and unplug all electrical appliances and turn settings on the thermostat, water heater, and refrigerator to the lowest setting.
   

9. 9.Ensure that you use a water-saving shower head. Water heating costs for a family can be lowered by at least US $250 a year after installing a energy water-saving shower heads.
   

10. 10.Weatherize your home. This helps reduce heating bills by 20% and cooling by at least 10%. Even when building a home or decorating it use weather friendly materials—those that are not good conductors of heat and cold. Install energy saving windows and glass panes in the roof and in such a way that you use sunlight to light up the rooms during day light hours. Also, make an effort to switch off lights when leaving a room. Installed ceiling fans are helpful as well. Also, ensure that the filters in air conditioners and heaters are always cleaned and free of clogs and dust and have routine periodic air filter service. If you live an energy efficient lifestyle you will see the numbers on the energy bill actually reducing. The power to cut energy costs is well within your control. It is as simple as only washing full loads and to do that in cold water when possible. Use the hot wash option only for very dirty clothes. Cook food only just before you are ready to eat that way you can save reheating costs as well as refrigeration costs of storing the food. Turn the thermostat of the refrigerator to minimum in cold or cool weather. Switch off freezers if they are not in use. Small contributions can all add up to significant amounts of power saved. And, power saved means money in the bank.