Here Is How To Save Electricity

Turn lights, appliances, stereos, TVs etc. off if not in use. Turn heating and air conditioning off when you are away from home for four hours or more. Turn computers and printers off instead of using the stand-by mode.

Set your thermostat at 70 degrees or lower in the winter. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer and use ceiling fans in occupied rooms only. Use LED light bulbs (they last longer and save power).

Make sure that you have adequate insulation in your attic. Have your air conditioning and heating system inspected and serviced once a year.

If you have a pool, don't run your pump more than eight hours a day in the summer. Consider energy efficiency when buying appliances.

Do you know how much electricity each of your appliances use? Look at the chart on the right and then look around your house. Are your appliances energy efficient? When you buy new appliances, check the label.

Appliances are graded from A to G on their efficiency, with A being the most efficient and G being the least. Fridge freezers have three extra ratings at the top end, A+, A++ and A+++. The grade is based on how many units of energy they use per hour (their kWh consumption).

While most energy-efficient appliances cost more than their less-efficient counterparts, the small amount they’ll save you monthly in lower utility bills will eventually add up. By replacing a pre-1994 washer with a new Energy Saver model, the average family of four can save about $110 per year on utility bills.