14 Ways To Save on Your Monthly Electric Bill

About half of your electric bill is a direct reflection of the weather. With spring comes milder

temperatures, which usually means lower power bills. But this doesn’t mean it is time to stop thinking about how much electricity we are using.

The cost of wholesale electricity, a factor beyond the control of Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, is expected to continue to rise. The best way we can combat this rising cost is through conservation.

Our first suggestion to help you lower your electric bill is setting your thermostat as close to the outside temperature as possible. During the summer in South Carolina, it isn’t uncommon for temperatures to rise to 95 degrees.

If your cooling system is trying to cool your home to 72 degrees, it will be working to change the temperature 23 degrees, which consumes a great deal of electricity. For every two degrees above 72 you set your thermostat, you save about five percent in cooling costs. That money adds up. Keep your temperature at 78 — and save!

The second piece of advice is to invest in home weatherization measures. These will save you money by reducing your energy consumption when temperatures rise. Weatherizing your home will also keep a great deal of the strain off a home’s cooling and heating system. A standard exterior door is 36 inches wide. A quarterinch gap at the bottom of that door is equivalent to having a nine-inch hole in an exterior wall. These gaps around doors and windows where air can leak out of your home need to be sealed.

Home improvement stores have home weatherization products. Look around and see what small changes you can make now that will help when the temperature rises. Having your cooling and heating system checked annually to be sure it is in good working order is also an excellent idea, and changing the air filter every month is one of the most inexpensive things you can do to insure proper operation.

The third thing we suggest is using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Pee Dee Electric Cooperative is sending all residential members another CFL as part of the Do the Light Switch campaign. Find a good spot to substitute this CFL for one of the incandescent bulbs in your home. CFLs don’t emit nearly as much heat as "regular" light bulbs, and you’ll save energy and lots of money using them.

There are many other ways, simple and inexpensive ways, to save on your bill, such as turning off lights when leaving a room, unplugging unnecessary electronics when not in use and adjusting the settings on your water heater to 120 degrees. Act now, so you’ll be prepared when the temperature rises in the near future.

Here are some other tips how to save money on your power bill during the warmer weather:

• Use a programmable thermostat and set it to 78°.

• Make sure your ceiling fans are blowing down.

• Change the filters in your air conditioning unit monthly.

• Close shades and drapes during the day to keep heat out.

• Ensure windows and doors are properly weather stripped.

• Try not to use roof-top, power ventilators for attic exhaust — they may pull cooled air from your home.

• Have your cooling system checked yearly by a certified technician.

• Keep "Fresh Air" vents on window units closed.

• Make sure floor registers are not blocked.

• Always run your system on "Auto." Running it on "On" uses more electricity and can decrease your air conditioner’s ability to remove moisture.

• Keep your garage door down as much as possible. It stays cooler. in the summer