9 ways to save on your next electric bill!

Happy Thursday Everyone! Hope everyone has had a good week, the weekend is in sight! Woo. I’m excited for the good weather forecast and a little outdoor action! Yesterday was the first hot day in awhile here in Sacramento, CA, considering just 2 days ago it was storming with tornado warnings. Now that the summer heat waves are rolling in, we all know that we’re going to have the urge to crank up the air conditioning and will be seeing an increase in our electricity bill. The heat is no joke, and can cause health problems for people of all ages. So here are a few tips that will lower your monthly electricity bill, so you can keep your house cool without burning a hole in your pocket! You might have heard of these tips, so use it as a reminder. Oh, and it’s good for the environment. Win win!

1) Turn off the lights when you leave a room. If it’s a simple forgetfulness factor, leave a sticky note on the switch to remind yourself!

2) Replace all standard light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. They are safer for the         environment, plus they last longer (6 times longer) than the standard bulb. They are also proven to be brighter! They might be a little more expensive, but the benefit  makes up for the shortcomings!

3) Power strip all of your appliances. It is proven that just leaving appliances plugged in without the power on with burn a constant rate of 40% more electricity and you will see what I mean when you get your next power bill. I have one that I use to plug in the coffee pot, microwave, blender and toaster oven! With the power strip I have full control when all of the appliances are on and off. When your not home just flip your power strip off and wallah. If your appliances are too spread out, just unplug them right after your done using them!

4) Keep blinds closed in the day, make sure to buy some blinds that cover all of the         window. Keeping the sunlight out during the day will keep your house much, much cooler!

5)Keep your AC set to 78.0 degrees F all day long when you are home. This is the         perfect temperature to create a balance in your living space. A comfortable, yet affordable setting.     Instead of letting it get above 80 degrees then feeling the need to set it at 60 degrees to cool down, just keep it at this setting.

6)Check insulation in windows, and make sure no open extremities give hot air a way         to get inside! It keeps the bugs out as well, which can never be a bad thing. You might even be qualified to receive free weatherstripping on doors and windows based on your income; contact your provider and ask how.

7) Wash your dishes by hand! Might take a bit more effort, but the dishwasher wastes         water and electricity. Cutting back on the use of it can cut down your bill!

8)Air dry your laundry outside! Its summer, so not only will it be an excuse to enjoy         some sun, the heat will dry your clothes fast, guaranteed!

9) Limit water usage by limiting shower time, turning off water in between brushing your         teeth and washing dishes. It not only cuts back on your electricity bill, but also your bill.

These are just a few simple things I learned being a poor, yet sustainable college             student when I got my first apartment. Saving money on your electricity bill is a easy task if you know what to do and have the determination to do it! So get going and save some extra cash to go cool down at happy hour with your friends.

Cheers! Have a good weekend!

-Carrington Bartlett