Yesterday I had an energy audit to see where my electricity is going and how much everything costs me to run. I was very please to see that my fridge only costs me about $0.14 a day to run.
The oven, washing machine and dryer are appliances that can cost alot to run. How can you lower your bills without buying new energy efficient ones or make the best use of your new ones?
With your washing machine, wash as much as you can in cold water. The most energy is used to heat the water when on a hot/warm setting. The only thing I wash on hot are my whites, and now they even make cold water bleach so the hot cycle isn't even necessary.
As for the dryer, I always hang everything, except my towels, outside in the spring,summer and fall to dry. I now have clothes lines set up in my basement to dry even in the winter.
Unplug things when you aren't using them. I unplug everything.....my coffee maker, toaster, tv, etc....as soon as I am done with them. Things like your cell phone charger draw out power even when they aren't being used. Game systems draw a ton of energy when not being used as well.
Energy efficient light bulbs are worth the cost to buy initially and cost very little to run.
When using you dishwasher-don't use heat start or dry option. Allow the dishes to air dry or dry them with a towel before putting them away.
The guy that was here told me as far as the oven-to pre cook things in the micro so they take less time in the oven, for me personally, I don't use a microwave at all so that doesnt help me, but if you have one then give it a try. I have also been getting some suggestions of cooking on the grill whenever possible, and I often use my crockpot to cook as it uses such little energy.
These all seem like small steps but they make big differences. You will see them in your electric bill as a visual, but are also conserving energy :)
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