First of all, I hope this makes you feel better - in NYC, we pay $0.16 per kWH. The typical monthly bill for my 1BR apt is $50 - $70, but that includes using the dishwasher twice a week.
Common electric bill uppers:
Refrigerators
In my previous apartment, my fridge had a crappy gasket. I complained until the university got me a new fridge and immediately realized a $10/month drop in my electric bill. A word of warning, tho - some leases allow the landlord to raise the rent if a major appliance is replaced.
Computer Monitors
When I was writing my thesis, the computer and monitor and lots of lights were on 18 hr/day - not Energy Star either. That ran up the bill.
Electric hotplates, toaster ovens, coffee pots
These energy hogs really run up the bill due to their inefficiency. Use the oven to reheat pizza and boil water - much less expensive - especially if you have gas.
Incandescent lightbulbs
In my present apt, I replaced all my incandescents with compact fluorescents. They're a bit pricey at 5X the cost of regular bulbs, but they last 7-10 X longer and use 10% the energy. They will pay for themselves over the course of a year. Replacing the incandescents in four overhead fixtures and five table lamps saved me $5 a month.
Leaky insulation around air conditioners
Cardboard beer cartons and scotch tape don't work well. Better to invest in some thick corrugated plastic and some weatherstripping to fill in the gaps around your
AC. Raise the thermostat 4o, sleep naked
, and save money!
Of course, all my frugality went out the window when I got my two tanks. I estimate that they cost about $20 a month in electricity to run. I'm trying to think of ways to hitch my hyperactive danios to a generator.....
