Save Energy: Cut Electricity Bills

Facts and Figures on Electricity Consumption and How to Reduce It

© Elaine Walker

Nov 14, 2007

Surprisingly a toaster would use 1,000 watts an hour compared to 75 watts for a laptop on for the same period of time. Other energy hungry appliances tend to be cookers and electric showers, followed by electric kettles using more than 2,000 watts per hour. Some of these may be essential, but here is how you can cut down on electricity consumption.

Heating

• Turn the heating thermostat down by just one degree and save up to 10 % of your overall electricity bill.
• Invest in heavy curtains to keep the heat in and close them each night. Up to 25% of heat escapes through windows if they are not double glazed.
• Hot water does not need to be more than 60degrees C or 140degrees F. Heating water that then needs to be blended with cold water is a waste of energy.
• Insulate hot water pipes and tanks. Tanks can lose up to 75 % of heat through lack of insulation.

Cooling

• Fridges and freezers account for up to 33% of the electricity bill. To keep them efficient, ensure that the metal grids and coils at the back have enough space for air to circulate, and that they are dust-free.
• Defrost freezers when the ice reaches 5mm thick.
• Replace damaged door seals promptly.
• In the United States, air-conditioning accounts for 14 percent of the electricity bill. Turn it down.

Light

• Use low-energy light bulbs.(11 watts an hour) Traditional light bulbs use 80% more energy mostly making heat, not light.
• Avoid up-lighters. They use high wattage light bulbs.
• Turning lights off when you are out of the room does not shorten the life of a light bulb. Strip lighting can also safely be turned off and on.

Cooking

• Fan assisted ovens use less electricity.
• Slow Cookers use very little energy.
• Boil only the amount of water you need in the kettle. Keep the kettle free of lime scale by filling it with 1 cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of water. Leave to stand over night. Rinse carefully and throw away the first lot of boiled water.

Washing

• Wait until you have a full load before using the washing machine.
• Cold wash anything that is not grease marked or heavily soiled.
• Limit lime scale if you live in a hard water area. 200mls of white vinegar in the detergent tray, run on a wash cycle, will clear the lime scale. Repeat every two or three months to keep the machine running efficiently and cut electricity bills.
• Minimise use of tumble dryers. They use 40% of the power on stand-by so turn them off.

For general questions about energy in the US The National Energy Information Center

Calculate how much electricity you use.

Reference : Energy (John Clift, Amanda Cuthbert Green Books 2006)

Toasters Use 1,000 Watts an Hour

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