Residential Customers
ENERGY SAVING TOOLKIT
ENERGY TIPS
You can lower your electricity bill by using energy more efficiently. First of all, you can reduce the time each electrical device is operated. Secondly, you can lower the wattage of the electrical devices you use. When purchasing, check the equipment label for wattage details.
Click the titles below for practical advice on how to use energy efficiently!
AIR CONDITIONERS: POWER USAGE
The average 12000 BTU bedroom unit operated 6 hours a day will burn approximately 154 Kilowatt hours (kWh) a month. Cost: Approximately $5,236.00*
HOW TO CONSERVE
- Reduce the hours of use.
- Keep windows and doors closed when a/c is on.
- Keep condenser free of leaves, etc.
- Keep air filter clean.
ENERGY TIP
The faster a motor runs, the more power it uses.
Check the amount of kilowatt hours shown on your bill every month. Keep track of how much you save.
*Based on a rate of approximately $34.00 per kWh
HAIR DYERS: POWER USAGE
The average domestic Hair Dryer burns 1.8 kilowatt hours of electricity every hour. One (1) hour's use a day would burn about 54 Kilowatt hours (kWh) a month. Cost: About $1,836.00*.
How to Conserve
Managing the use of your Dryer is a personal decision. Remember that it consumes power all the time it is plugged in.
SMILEY'S TIP OF THE DAY
60 cycle appliances use power less efficiently than true 50 cycle appliances.
Check the amount of kilowatt hours shown on your bill every month. Keep track of how much you save.
*Based on a rate of approximately $34.00 per kWh
ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS: POWER USAGE
The average water heater operated 3 hours a day will use about 135 Kilowatt hours (kWh) a month. Cost: About $4,590.00*.
HOW TO CONSERVE
- Run the heater for half-hour intervals only: ½ hour in the morning and ½ hour in the evening. You’ll have warm water when you need it and save up to 90 kWh a month.
- If you need excessive amounts of cold water to dilute your hot wate, your heater’s thermostat may be set too high and you are wasting electricity. For greater efficiency set the heater's thermostat to 120° F for greater efficiency.
SMILEY'S TIP OF THE DAY
The more heat an appliance produces the more power it uses.
Check the amount of kilowatt hours shown on your bill every month. Keep track of how much you save.
*Based on a rate of approximately $34.00 per kWh
CLOTHES IRONS: POWER USAGE
The average clothes iron burns just over 1 kWh of electricity every hour. 2 hours use a week would burn about 10 Kilowatt hours (kWh) a month. Cost: About $340.00*
HOW TO CONSERVE
Try to keep your weekly ironing to less than two hours. If you have to stop ironing to do something else, unplug the iron.
SMILEY'S TIP OF THE DAY
Appliances that provide heat use more power. Keeping them on, if you don't need to, is a waste of power.
Check the amount of kilowatt hours shown on your bill every month. Keep track of how much you save.
*Based on a rate of approximately $34.00 per kWh
HOUSEHOLD LIGHTS: POWER USAGE
A 100 Watt incandescent bulb operated 6 hours a day will burn 18 Kilowatt hours (kWh) a month. Cost: About $369.00*.
HOW TO CONSERVE
Switch to energy saving fluorescent bulbs ( CFL's)
- A 25 Watt fluorescent gives as much light as a 100 Watt incandescent bulb, lasts a whole lot longer, and uses only 5 Kilowatt hours a month.
- They may cost more to buy, but will save you money in the long run.
SMILEY'S TIP OF THE DAY
Learn to read your own meter Click here. Its easy and you'll always know whether your bill is accurate.
Check the amount of kilowatt hours shown on your bill every month. Keep track of how much you save.
*Based on a rate of approximately $34.00 per kWh
FANS: POWER USAGE
The average standing fan running 6 hours a day will use approximately 11 Kilowatt hours (kWh) a month. Cost: About $374.00*.
HOW TO CONSERVE
- Reduce the number of hours of use.
- Turn them off when not needed.
SMILEY'S TIP OF THE DAY
Don't be afraid to turn household eqiptment off. Turning it on and off does no damage to it.
Check the amount of kilowatt hours shown on your bill every month. Keep track of how much you save.
*Based on a rate of approximately $34.00 per kWh
STOPPING ENERGY WASTAGE
TV's, Cable boxes, and other similar electronic equipment use energy even when turned off. Entertainment systems can burn up to 11 Kilowatt hours (kWh) a month. Cost: About $374.00*.
HOW TO CONSERVE
Plug your electronic equipment into a power strip and turn off the power strip when leaving home or when the equipment is not being used.
SMILEY'S TIP OF THE DAY
The louder you play a Stereo, the more power you use.
Check the amount of kilowatt hours shown on your bill every month. Keep track of how much you save.
*Based on a rate of approximately $34.00 per kWh
REFRIGERATORS: POWER USAGE
The average 16 cu. ft. Refrigerator burns about 60 kWh a month. Cost: About $2,040.00*.
HOW TO CONSERVE
- Place refrigerator in a cool spot, away from heat sources.
- Do not open the fridge more often than necessary, or leave the door open.
- Organize food in the fridge to ensure good air circulation.
- Let hot foods cool before putting them in the fridge.
- Allow adequate space between the fridge and the wall, so air can flow freely around the condenser coil.
SMILEY'S TIP OF THE DAY
Top Freezer models are more energy efficient than side by side models; however older refrigerators (10-15years) will generally be less energy efficient than newer ones.
Check the amount of kilowatt hours shown on your bill every month. Keep track of how much you save.
*Based on a rate of approximately $34.00 per kWh
