20 Things You Can Do To Cut Your Electric Bill

1. When you are cooking any food in your microwave, position it as near the edge of the tray as you can. The way microwaves distribute heat you will get your food cooked the fastest at the edges.

2. Replace frequently used light bulbs with energy efficient CFL bulbs instead. For closets and areas where you rarely need light, keep incandescent bulbs in place, because they are more efficient for brief use.

3. Keep all filters clean. Air filters should be replaced yearly, and dryer filters should be cleaned before each use.

4. Save warm water by putting your dishes directly in the dishwater without rinsing them first. You can avoid using up to 32 gallons of warm water.

5. Install a more energy efficient washing machine, and one that is front loading. You will be able to reduce the energy used by half and the amount of water used by 40 percent.

6. Buy a self-cleaning oven, which is better insulated than other models. However, don't use the self-cleaning option, because it uses a lot of energy itself!

7. Maintain fridge and freezer seals so your fridge doesn't have to work as hard. To test the seals, close a piece of paper in the door, then slowly pull on the paper. If it falls out, or is easy to pull, your seals are ready to be replaced.

8. Have your home and chimney assessed for air leaks, and if any are found, seal them. A well-insulated home without leaks uses less energy than a drafty one.

9. Cool down hot food to room temperature before putting it in the refrigerator.

10. Seal off the front or back porch to create an air lock between the weather outside and the warmth of your home.

11. Replace the seals on your refrigerators and freezers as needed. You can test this by closing the door on a piece of paper. It shouldn't slide out easily. If it does, it's time to get a new seal.

12. Go for a chest freezer instead of a more standard upright one. Chest freezers will help keep more cold air inside as they are opened.

13. Keep the fridge and freezer in your home as far away from any heating sources, like vents, radiators, washers, and dryers, as you can.

14. Keep cellphone and Ipod chargers unplugged when not in use. Better yet invest in solar or other alternative technology to charge your items. Chargers are responsible for a lot of vampire power sucking compared to the amount of time they are used.

15. Use CFL bulbs to cut your electric use by 7%. However, you should be aware that these contain mercury and if broken can be hazardous and expensive to clean up.

16. Turn down thermostat or invest in a programmable thermostat so you aren't heating your home at night or when you're gone.

17. Turn off lights when you're not in a room.

18. Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees and insulate it for best efficiency. Or, invest in a new water heater, which is up to twice as efficient as older models.

19. Apply an adhesive-backed weather stripping to the sides and tops of your door frames. You can use a V-shaped stripping that maintains a seal even if the door warps over time.

20. Enclose your front or rear porch to prevent warm air from escaping quickly every time you open your front or back doors.