How do we save on electricity?

[timandlesley]

I do unplug everything, we just started and the savings was HUGE. We now have our washer/dryer unplugged and only plug it in when use it, unplug t.v's (they are on a Power cord, and we unplug them every night and when we leave the house), coffe makers, toasters, microwaves, etc. We saved 30% on our last electric bill!
Lesley

 

[YoTony2]

What a great thread!

I can't wait to try out some of these ideas!

Especially line dried towel fluffing.

YoTony2

 

[Peanut&Piglet'sMom]

Great thread for ideas!

I'm liking the unplug the washer/dryer one. It's the only one I can think of not needing to plug in again after a few hours like I would if I were unplugging lights, coffee pots, etc.

 

[minnie1928]

FWIW, I have a Kill a Watt meter thingy (you plug in your appliance and it will tell you how much electricity is being used). I plugged my dryer into it about an hour ago and it's still showing that 0 electricity has been used. Now, I do have a Bosch dryer that's only 1 year old and maybe that makes a difference. Maybe the older dryers actually do continue to pull power while "off", but mine isn't.

 

[Brendita]

I put tinted film on all my windows.
Keeps the house about 20 degrees cooler.

Keeping blinds shut in the day time helps.

My water heater has a switch on the wall.
Easy to turn on & off.
Set at 125 degrees max.

Ceiling fans in every room.

Programable thermostat on a/c-furnance.

Weatherstrip all doors & windows.

Washer cool or cold water,
dryer on energy cycle,
dishwasher air dry only energy cycle.
Most important only run with full loads.

We also planted a tree outside of my son's room
gets the afternoon sun.
So now he has some shade.

 

[ZacFields]

I've done various things... I'm a bit of a budget and savings nut! Some of this won't apply to you, but might help others.

-New HVAC unit. If your A/C and heating system is more than 15 years old, replacing them will likely save you money. ESPECIALLY the A/C unit. They are much more efficient now and work just as good or better than your old one. My summertime electricity bill has nearly been cut in half by replacing a 30 year old unit.

-Replace the fridge/freezer. Once again, old appliances use more electricity. I read somewhere that a fridge that's 30 years old could be using as much as $10-20 monthly all by itself.

-CFL bulbs. Changing one might not change a lot, but if you change them throughout your house, you're going to notice a little bit of savings when you get your bill.

- Heated mattress pads. Get one, and then you can bump down the heat a few degrees at night time. You'd be surprised how much difference this makes. I was keeping my heat at 65 degrees at night this past winter while i was toasty warm under the covers!

- Turn off all appliances when not in use, especially computers. They don't use a ton of electricity, but you can save yourself a buck or two every month if you keep those computeres turned off when you're not using them.

- Open windows when you can. Make good use of fans. If you're going to be sitting in one spot for a while, point a fan at you. You'll feel like it's about 10 degrees colder than it actually is.

That's just a few ways that you can save on that electricity bill. If you don't have A/C or heating, then you're already far ahead of the curve!

 

[surfergirl602]

I've done various things... I'm a bit of a budget and savings nut! Some of this won't apply to you, but might help others.

-New HVAC unit. If your A/C and heating system is more than 15 years old, replacing them will likely save you money. ESPECIALLY the A/C unit. They are much more efficient now and work just as good or better than your old one. My summertime electricity bill has nearly been cut in half by replacing a 30 year old unit.

-Replace the fridge/freezer. Once again, old appliances use more electricity. I read somewhere that a fridge that's 30 years old could be using as much as $10-20 monthly all by itself.

-CFL bulbs. Changing one might not change a lot, but if you change them throughout your house, you're going to notice a little bit of savings when you get your bill.

- Heated mattress pads. Get one, and then you can bump down the heat a few degrees at night time. You'd be surprised how much difference this makes. I was keeping my heat at 65 degrees at night this past winter while i was toasty warm under the covers!

- Turn off all appliances when not in use, especially computers. They don't use a ton of electricity, but you can save yourself a buck or two every month if you keep those computeres turned off when you're not using them.

- Open windows when you can. Make good use of fans. If you're going to be sitting in one spot for a while, point a fan at you. You'll feel like it's about 10 degrees colder than it actually is.

That's just a few ways that you can save on that electricity bill. If you don't have A/C or heating, then you're already far ahead of the curve!

What are heated mattress pads??

 

[mjantz]

What are heated mattress pads??

Think of an electric blanket shaped like a mattress pad. The heat comes up from underneath instead of sitting on top of you like an electric blanket will. We have 1 & love it. Its great when you're really sore from a hard day. Turn it on for a bit & your muscles just relax in no time.

 

[surfergirl602]

Think of an electric blanket shaped like a mattress pad. The heat comes up from underneath instead of sitting on top of you like an electric blanket will. We have 1 & love it. Its great when you're really sore from a hard day. Turn it on for a bit & your muscles just relax in no time.

wow, these sound wonerful! Where can I get some? (for winter, of course....)

 

[blondietink]

No heated mattress pads or heated blankets for us. Uses too much electricity. We swear by down comforters and/or featherbeds. Nice and cozy and our house is 55 degrees in the winter at night!

 

[wall*e2008]

No heated mattress pads or heated blankets for us. Uses too much electricity. We swear by down comforters and/or featherbeds. Nice and cozy and our house is 55 degrees in the winter at night!

Feather beds, comforters or heated bedding will still result in icicles on my nose at 55 degrees. I love our down comforter but sleep in a 67/68 degree room.

 

[sameyeyam]

I had my DH put clothes lines up across our back porch. He put eyelet hooks into the beams and then stretched the line across them and tied the line onto a removable carabiner clip (look like the ones used by climbers). So if we have company we can remove the lines easily and our guests aren't forced to stare at our unmentionables.

We placed them about 2 feet away from the edge of the porch, that way I can still dry clothes outside even if it's raining.

Our electric bill normally runs around $100 and this month it was only $80. So that's a 20% savings.

 

[blondietink]

I am going out to hang up my laundry to dry right now! Most of the pollen is gone now and that's the only thing that botheres me with laundry hung out to dry on the line. Should save a substantial amount on our electric bill from now until late fall.

 

[minnie1928]

I am going out to hang up my laundry to dry right now! Most of the pollen is gone now and that's the only thing that botheres me with laundry hung out to dry on the line. Should save a substantial amount on our electric bill from now until late fall.

If you invest in a drying rack you can continue this in the winter, and it will add humidity to your home (which I think makes it feel warmer and you won't run the furnace as much).