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Get the Facts Do Your Part
This is a core SixLinks guide
500 Using Energy points
by Steven Skoczen Guide: Reduce your electric bill by 20%

Steven's action: Reduce your electric bill by 20%

Residential electricity accounts for about 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions and 13% of CO2 emissions. Everyone likely uses more electricity than they have to, resulting in more CO2 emissions, more fossil fuel plants being built, and more money being spent. All three of these can be reduced by cutting your electricity usage.
Step 1: Figure out how much electricity you use read more
Look back at old bills (at least 3 months) and average out how much energy you use. Year over year is great if you still have those old bills (look at last month, the same month last year, and a neighboring month last year). Try to keep in mind factors such as if you have electric heating or A/C, don't compare January and March. Try to do what you can to get a reasonable estimate of usage.
July 16, 2009
We've dropped our electricity usage for a two story house (all electric) of 3 people from 970 kwh/month to ~670 kwh/mo, about a 30% drop!

We're still shaving off about 5% each month, but calling this one done!
Completed on July 16, 2009 at 2:53 p.m.
Step 2: Your goal is to get 20% less than that for the next couple months read more
Figure out how much electricity your devices use. Put everything on power strips and turn them off, get better at turning things off when you leave a room. If you get below 20%, good for you, you can move on to step 4. If you haven't gotten a 20% reduction yet, continue on.
Completed on July 16, 2009 at 2:53 p.m.
Step 3: Look into larger reductions read more
Consider getting a real-time energy meter that tells you how much energy you are consuming in real time. When upgrading appliances, get more efficient ones. If you have electric heat, look into our Solar Hot Water, Caulking, Upgrading Windows and Doors, and Upgrading Insulation guides. You can also ask for help and see what people on the website can offer up for ideas.
Completed on July 16, 2009 at 2:53 p.m.
Step 4: Maintain your reductions read more
Make sure you can do this for at least 2 months. If you do that, you're done, but you still need to continue to make sure you don't relapse. This is also a guide you should try to redo from time to time to make further cuts.
July 16, 2009
Have been at least 20% down for the past three months, and steadily dropping.
Completed on July 16, 2009 at 2:53 p.m.
All Done!
Tomo Says:Great Job!
Updates and Comments: What is this?
The updates and comments below show how Steven is doing in completing his action. You can leave him comments, suggestions and encouragement using the box below.
Tomo Says:SixLinks has changed a lot over its life. As good parents, the guys keep around the icons they couldn't use anymore in the icon pasture. (Actually, Jeff just agreed to this to keep Steve sane.)
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