What advice would you give to a person to lower their utilities if they rent?

What in your places uses up the most electricity. My bill keep going higher and higher!What advice would you give to a person to lower their utilities if they rent?
***Change all light bulbs to energy savers


***Unplug any appliances that you are not using (such as the fan, cell phone charger, curlers etc. collectively this burns up enough energy as if you were using an appliance.


***change the air conditioner filter (the more dust on them the more energy it takes for the air conditioner force it's way through the dust to cool the room).


***Lastly, if you are away from the home for more than 6 hours, turn off the A/C. There is a misconception that if you turn the A/C off it will burn more energy. This is true if it is turned off and on repeatedly, but once throughout the day can provide a large amount of saving. It take about 20 min. total to cool the whole house and the energy used is about doubled, 40 min worth of energy in comparison to 6 hours of energy.....This is a no brainer.....I think I'll pay for the 40 min.





Hope this information helps, trust me it works if you stick to it.What advice would you give to a person to lower their utilities if they rent?
Switching light bulbs to the energy efficent bulbs are a good investment. Despite the higher initial cost, they cost less to operate and last a lot longer than a normal bulb. If you don't want to switch out all your bulbs, at least switch out the rooms you use most often.





Having a programmable thermostat can help as well. That way you don't accidentally leave the heat on when you go to work all day.
You can change your light bulbs to the new enrgy savers, unplug any appliances that you are not using , change the air conditioner filter, keep blinds close to keep heat out/ or open to keep the heat in. Turn your computer off when not in use, and keep your thermometer at 78 in summer and 70 in winter.


Good luck
Large appliances, and central air use the bulk of electricity. Try to hang clothes up to dry, turn lights off when you leave a room. Keep your AC set to 74 or around there, and your heat to 69 that way your system doesn't have to work as hard. You'll need a blanket in the winter or a sweater, and maybe a fan in the summer, but it's not so bad!
AC at 78, but only if the outside temp is really high. Otherwise, use fans. Heat at 68, put on a sweater. Programmable thermostats are great.





Turn off everything when not in use.





Only run full loads in the dishwasher. Turn off the heat dry.





Likewise, full loads in the clothes washer. Use cold rinse. Cut back on the dryer time. Pull things out while still slightly damp and hang up (less ironing) or hang dry and only run in the dryer for a short period.
FRIG, hands down the the biggest energy HOG.... If you install power strips to your TV, 'puter, etc, before you leave in the morning or at nite, you can ';turn off'; the drain they continually draw while the machines are off.





put aq sweater on instead of the heaater....
Start by turning things off. Much real savings comes with the cooperation of the landlord... ceiling fans, on-demand hot water, programable thermostats... But, as mentioned, line-drying clothes, turn up the a/c and turning down the heat helps. I use an electric blanket in the winter.
Check your water heater. It only needs to be at 110*. Using fans to keep the house cool, and adding curtains helps. You can also try to see if you qualify for a low income assistance program.