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7 simple things you can do to save money on your electric bill

Posted at 3:58 PM, Nov 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-13 18:16:29-05

Ah yes. The monthly electric bill. Unless you live in an apartment where it's included in your rent, it comes every month whether you're ready for it or not. And according to Wallet Hub, the average electric bill in New York is $109.

But there are several relatively simple things you can do to shave some money off the number that comes knocking at your door every 30 days.

7 Eyewitness News has put together a checklist you can review with your family to keep more cash in your pocket. Click on the image below and select "Print" from your browser menu for a printed version of this checklist!

1. UNPLUG SO-CALLED ENERGY PHANTOMS WHEN YOU'RE DONE USING THEM (Electronics and appliances such as cell phone chargers, computers, video game systems and the coffee maker)

2. BUY A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT AND LET YOUR HOME COOL DOWN WHILE YOU'RE AT WORK

3. WASH YOUR CLOTHES IN COLD WATER (Most of the electricity used by washing machines goes toward heating the water)

4. USE DRYER BALLS TO SPEED UP DRYING TIME

5.  LOWER YOUR HOT WATER HEATER TO 130-140 DEGREES AND DRAIN THE SEDIMENT TWICE A YEAR (13 percent of your home's electricity goes to heating water, according to TheBalance.com)

6. REPLACE OLDER LIGHT BULBS WITH LED BULBS

7. KEEP YOUR SECOND REFRIGERATOR IN THE BASEMENT, NOT THE GARAGE (The temperature in the basement is more consistent and doesn't change dramatically with the seasons)