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But as we use more electricity in our homes, our electric bills rise. In turn, fossil-fueled power plants not only generate more electricity, but also more pollution. The continued reliance on and depletion of fossil-fuel resources threatens our energy security.

- Department of Energy, EERA

Five easy ways to save on electricity

  1. Turn it off! - The simplest way to save energy is to turn it off. This includes lights, computers, radios, and especially power strips!
  2. Replace your bulbs! - Get rid of your regular incandescent bulbs and upgrade to a folrescent bulb (CFL). According to the Department of Energy, CFL's use 25% to 35% of the energy used by incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of illumination, and they last 10 times longer.
  3. Unplug it! - Electrionic devices and appliances that have standby lights or clocks carry what is called a phantom load. That means that these products are helping you raise your energy bill when they aren't even being used. Try putting these products on power strips that you can turn off, or simply reach on over and unplug them.
  4. Buy Energy Star - Energy Star labeled products are guanranteed to be more energy efficient than regular models. Even the simplest item can reduce your carbon output. For instance, the light bulb:

    If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

  5. Use daylight - Daylight is provided for you from sun-up to sun-down, take advantage of it and it's low, low cost.

 


Other ways to save -- tips and rebates for electricity:

  • Unplug your cell phone charger when not in use.
  • Put your computer in sleep mode, hibernate, or energy saver mode.
  • Do your laundry after or before peak hours.
  • Keep your refrigerator door closed.
  • Use the dishwasher instead of handwash, but only if you have a full load.
  • Buy a thermostat for your fridge and make sure it is keeping the proper refigeration (between 35-38 degreen Farenheit).
  • So Cal Gas offers instant rebates, up $35 each, for energy efficient clothes washers, dishwashers, and water tanks!
  • SCE offers rebates for energy efficient refrigerators and they have a refrigerator recycling program that can help you save even more!
  • SCE offers rebates for electric water heaters.
  • SCE also offers rebates for heating and cooling, such as room air conditioners and whole house fans.