How to Save: Electricity (and win $100)
by Allie Comeau on June 24, 2009 
19 comments
At Sierra Trading Post, we’re all about getting a great deal. We prefer our purchases to be 35-70% off.
But we don’t just save on outdoor gear, apparel and footwear. We also like to save in other areas. If you’re reading this, you probably do, too. That’s why we’re introducing a new series of savings tip posts called How to Save.
Because we’d all like to save money on our electric bills, we’ve got two great tips this week on How To Save Electricity:
1. Don’t just turn electronics off at night – unplug them to save electricity. Better yet, put your computer, television, stereo, etc. on a smart power strip that cuts power to devices and turn it off nightly or whenever it’s not in use.
2. Unplug your chargers. Don’t let your cell phone, camera or iPod charger sit in the outlet when not in use. Power is continually drawn through the charger, whether your device is plugged in or not.
Now for the fun part! We’re inviting you to leave a comment below (click Read More) with additional savings tips on How To Save Electricity. We’ll pick one save-savvy winner from the comments section each month to win a $100 gift card. (Feel free to also send me an email with new topic suggestions.)
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who left a How to Save: Electricity tip! We’ve chosen a winner for the $100 gift card. Congratulations, Corie J!
Take one night a week or month to “go dark” and use no electricity after 8 pm (this came from a global push to have one night of no electric use); what a great way to have your children help you in seeing where you use electricity, and coming together around candles at dinnertime!
Fineprint: Your savings tip must be less than 100 words to be eligible for the $100 gift card. We’ll pick a winner monthly based on creativity, originality, usefulness, and clarity. Sierra Trading Post is the sponsor of the How To Save contest and employees and families are not eligible to win the gift card, but are welcome to submit tips. Please include your email information with your comment so we may contact you. You may also send in suggestions or request a list of winners by mailing it to: Sierra Trading Post, 3050 Campstool Rd. Cheyenne, WY 83005 Attention: Josh Reese. (Of course, we’d rather you just left a comment.) Void where prohibited.
June 24th, 2009 @ 8:44 am
It’s amazing how often I see my neighbors open their ELECTRIC garage doors to go to the mailbox. Imagine how much ELECTRICITY would be saved if everyone simply went to the mailbox through their front door.
June 24th, 2009 @ 11:51 am
That’s a great tip, Chad! I’m probably guilty of using my garage door too often and will definitely keep that in mind. Thanks!
June 24th, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
Buy cute overhead fans for the kid’s rooms. We have flowers for my daughter and rocket ships for my son. They love having the fans on, decreasing the need for the air conditioner.
June 24th, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
- Use your rechargeable items until almost empty, many rechargeable cells retain their health and longevity through complete or near complete use before charging.
– Maximize your sunlight. Tubular skylights can produce a LOT more lumens at peak than flourescents.
A standard 100 watt incandescent bulb produces 1200 lumens. A 40-watt, 48-inch fluorescent tube produces 2300 lumens.
* A 10-inch Tubular Skylight produces up to 3750 lumens
* A 14-inch Tubular Skylight produces up to 6500 lumens
– Install motion sensor/timers on switches, thatway, even if you forget, the light will get turned off
June 24th, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
- Dont be afraid of the dark.
Our bodies are attune to light cycles, and many health issues today can be directly tied to lack of sleep and exposure to light. While I know today’s society is all about the “work, work work” (I’m a software consultant, so trust me, I know), sometimes it’s good to turn down (or off) the lights and relax.
June 24th, 2009 @ 3:37 pm
[...] See the aboriginal post: How to Save Electricity (and win $100) [...]
June 25th, 2009 @ 6:32 am
Unplug your fridge! It sounds radical, but if you’re vegetarian like me there is very little you really need it for. Also, handwash your clothing. And use a solar cooker to heat hot water to wash your dishes with: http://www.solarcooking.org
June 25th, 2009 @ 7:18 am
Unplug the tv, stereo, gaming systems, etc. when you won’t be needing them for a while. They suck juice even when switched off. Mine are all on a single power strip, so I can power them all off with one switch.
June 25th, 2009 @ 8:12 am
If you happen to be buying a home and see the refrigerator is located beside a window or anywhere it will be hit by direct sunlight, you might reconsider your purchase. This is a common design flaw that costs a lot in wasted electricity and shortens the life of the appliance.
June 26th, 2009 @ 7:41 am
Always close the refrigerator with your hand. Do not
just let it close magnetically, particularily if you
have an older model.Refrigerators doors, open even a
crack, can be one of the largest losses of electricity
June 29th, 2009 @ 11:35 am
We tried to address the items that caused the biggest energy drain. We saved energy costs by adding more insulation and window shades in our house, in addition to the following easy changes:
1) Lowering the temperature setting for our heater and raising the temperature setting for our A/C, using fans to circulate the air
2) Replacing regular light bulbs with compact fluorescents and turning them off when not needed
3) Adding solar lighting outdoors
4) Putting our computers to sleep when they’re not in use
Hopefully others can also implement some or all of these ideas.
July 1st, 2009 @ 7:24 am
cool your hot water heater – just turn this down a bit, you’ll save lots!
Wash all your clothes in the cold/cold setting, I’ve noticed no difference in the cleanliness of the clothes.
Take one night a week or month to “go dark” and use no electricity after 8 pm (this came from a global push to have one night of no electric use); what a great way to have your children help you in seeing where you use electricity, and coming together around candles at dinnertime!
July 10th, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
My husband and I installed a geothermal heating/cooling unit when we buildt our home in 2007. Although initially more expensive than more traditional units, our monthly savings on the electrical bill will soon recoup the difference. Also, changing the filter on any type unit helps it run more efficiently.
July 17th, 2009 @ 7:33 am
To save electricity, I always bake a double or triple batch of muffins or quick bread loaves at once, and freeze or refrigerate what won’t be used that day. My baking method saves time compared to more frequent baking, saves money (versus store bought), tastes great, and is more nutritious.
July 20th, 2009 @ 3:34 pm
I recently visited a family member and her clothes dryer was going constantly. Meanwhile, the sun was shining and would have dried her items in a short time. And when the sun isn’t shining, drying racks are great!
July 21st, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
We use those new lightbulbs. We only turn lights on when needed. We put the new light bulbs all over the apt.In order to save on our electric bill. We use power strips all over. The air conditioner is on energy save during the day and turned off at nite we use fans during the nite.If it is not real hot during the day we use fans.We are trying really hard to save on our electric bill as our other bills. Things are really tough out there so every little bit helps.When it is really hot outside you should keep all your blinds closed to keep out the heat.My husband and I are always trying something to help with the electric bill. Sincerely, Debbie
July 21st, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
We use those new light bulbs all over our apt. We put our air conditioner on energy save. use fans at nite.Close blinds on real hot days.power strips all over.keep the heat at a low temp.Turn off lights if not in use.
sincerely, Debbie
August 2nd, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
Hi there,
I would like to use the light bulb image in a news letter I am designing for my HOA. I searched the copyright registry but didn’t see it listed. Please advise if I may have permission to use. If it is listed on http://www.copyright.gov, please let me know the name to search by.
Thanks
Laryssa
615-403-6318
October 2nd, 2009 @ 10:04 am
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who left a How to Save: Electricity tip! We’ve chosen a winner for the $100 gift card. Congratulations, Corie J!