Are you afraid every month when the utility bill comes in the mailbox? Could this month's bill be even more expensive? If this scares you than and you want to do something about it, than read here how to save money on utilities in 5 ways.

An average American household consumes between $1500 and $2000 annually on electric bills alone. If these numbers are the same for you, than you are a regular home owner that uses more energy than needed. With a few simple adjustments you could save lots of money on electricity.

If you have been receiving a high electric bill month after month, then be alarmed. You might be using your appliances more what your require.

Normally, a regular American household would consume between $1500 and $2000 on electric bills alone. If you happen to fall between these figures, then you can consider yourself as a regular homeowner that uses electricity that is not really needed. Why? One reason: You don't need to spend as much as $2000 a year for energy. And you don't even have to spend more than that either. You see, a regular household that spends at this amount often wastes power and of course money. And with an increased electric rate, the bills will go even higher.

Want to do some changes?

Then, here are things you should know. Here are 5 ways to cut down your home energy consumption:

Let's start with number one. You have to regulate the temperature in your home with a thermostat gradually. If you live in a hot climate or it is a really hot day you always want the room temperature to be as low as possible. If you turn the temperature instantly to low, because you need to cool right away, you are wasting a lot of energy. The same concept when it is freezing outside and you home in the house and turn the thermostat to the max, you are also wasting a lot of energy. What happens is your room temperature will change gradually no matter how fast you turn it low or max.

Let's look at it this way: You are driving at 5mph when you suddenly shift to 5th gear. What you will get? More pressure on the pedal with lesser speed gained. In other words, you waste so much gas but do not get instant speed.

The same principle is valid for your room temperature. The system has to work hard instantly, but is not able to produce that requested change immediately. So the system will gradually change the room temperature.

So, if you need a sudden change in room temperature, you will have to change it gradually. Change the room temperature every hour or maybe less. This way you're not wasting a lot of energy.

Second is to check if you have more than one device plugged in 24/7. Keeping these devices plugged in will costs you. Check to see if it is really necessary to keep them plugged in. Look for an iPod charger, cellphone-charger, dvd-player, VRC, televisions and computer monitor. All these devices contribute to the cost you pay for your electric bill. Imagine this: these things that you think do not contribute so much add 5% on your electric bill.

If you're washing your clothes with hot water you would save a lot of energy if washing them with cold water. Your washing machine has a build-in heater that consumes a lot of energy. If you're not using it you'll be saving money again.

Determine if your house has any air leaks. The leaks can come from doors, sills, windows, cracks on the walls, and joints. Also check along the gaps of the baseboard, junctures of the ceiling or walls, and the edge of the flooring as well. You should give your attic special attention. If you have air leaks seal them. You can seal them with sealants such as weather strippers. If your windows have leaks you can cover them with plastic coating so that the heat will be contained inside your home. Cracks on the walls should also be sealed. Regular sealants will instantly do the jobs. The reason for doing this is that you need to keep the heat contained inside your home so that the heating system would not need to do extra work due to heat loss from these leaks.

The fifth tip concerns food. When warming up smaller portions of food, you should not use large pots or ovens. Instead, settle for small pots or use the microwave. Small pots require less heat while a microwave uses less power than oven.

Here we have listed just 5 ways to cut your electricity bill. Of course there are more ways than we discussed here. Just start with these tips and you'll be saving money guaranteed.

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Bryan Wong is the owner of the alternative energy information website www.GetEasyInfo.com/Alternative Energy - Get a FREE e-book on how to SAVE MONEY on your utility bill.