Please share your tips to save on electricity

[mrsbornkuntry]

I must be missing something, I just don't know what else I can do to cut back. We rent our house and alot of the appliances are 20 years old and there aren't alot of repairs we can do since we don't own. They work still so our landlord is replacing them as they break (she just replaced our stove last week). Our windows don't have screens or storm windows in them and some of them don't close tight. Plus there is a room above our garage that doesn't heat in the winter or cool in the summer, I guess because it's so poorly insulated. It has a vent in it.

So our upstairs is uncomfortably hot (it's 90 degrees today, typically 90-95 this summer). Our water heater is turned up higher than I know it should be, but if we don't everyone doesn't get a hot shower. I think that's just going to be a price we pay for having 7 people here.

What I've done so far: blinds & curtains are closed against the sun,
use ceiling fans in the rooms we're in,
unplug all appliances when not in use and put a power strip on the tv used for video games so we can turn off strip when it's not used.
Switched light bulbs to cfl's when we moved in last year and plastic on the windows in the winter.

I'm not sure what else to do. I'll take tips for winter too because we have the same problem when it gets really cold, plus drafts. And I'd like any tips on dealing with the room that doesn't get heated or cooled.

 

[Cruise]

How big is the house and how much is the bill each month?

Other than line drying your clothes (you didn't mention if you use a dryer or not), it sounds like most of the problems you're having involve the fact that the house is not energy efficient in and of itself.

The problem with insulating above the garage or weather proofing your windows is that you're putting money into a house that you don't own.

Are you locked into a lease? It may seem like a drastic option, but if you can save $200 a month on the electric bill by paying an extra $150 in rent on a more modern, energy efficient place, then you'd come out ahead in the long run. Yes, moving is a pain and yes, it also costs money, but at least you'd end up in a place where you can feel the AC and cool the house!

Good luck.

 

[Cruise]

Just wanted to add, the problem with running out of hot water for showers isn't in the temperature of the water, but in the size of the tank. You're not getting more hot water by having the temp set up, just the same amount of water at a hotter temp. You might as well turn that down to save some electricity.

As far as everyone not getting a shower, is there any way to stagger showers? Some shower at night and some in the morning, etc?

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I really don't know how many sq. ft. the house is, it has 3 bedrooms and a bath upstairs and kitchen, dining, living room, laundry/1/2 bath, master bedroom and bath downstairs.

We did consider moving, but it wouldn't really be worth it. The rent here is $200 cheaper than anyplace else we looked at and we really like where our house is and we have a huge yard whereas the other places we looked at you could reach out your window and shake your neighbor's hand, lol.

I alternate between using a dryer and a drying rack, I tend to hang the clothes up to dry more in the winter so I can add more humidity to the air.

 

[Chicago526]

Even if you have central air, it may pay to use window A/C units in the rooms you're in most. I have to use window units because our central A/C is broken and we aren't at the point that we want to replace it yet (going to replace both the furnace and a/c at the same time). Anyway, I find that the window A/C units seem to be really efficiant and don't use all that much juice. I have one in my offfice (I work from home FT) and one in our bedroom. Last summer was really cool which helped, but our highest summer electric bill was only around $130. The nice thing about window units is that they are only on when you're in the room, so your aren't cooling the whole house down just to sit and surf the internet in the office. And when you move...you can take them with you!

 

[dawson5]

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/

I found this site about a year ago. I had already started changing the lightbulbs from incandescent to CFL. Then I started wondering about my coffee pot (Bunn). I found out it was costing me about $80/mo to run the pot. I simple $5 timer and it turns on at 5 am and off at 10 am automatically.

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/howmuch.html

That shows how much they cost to run. It's mind-boggling.

Also call your electric co and find out if you are on a tier or a load. It can make all the difference in the world.

 

[BrettS]

Just wanted to add, the problem with running out of hot water for showers isn't in the temperature of the water, but in the size of the tank. You're not getting more hot water by having the temp set up, just the same amount of water at a hotter temp. You might as well turn that down to save some electricity.

Actually you will get more showers out of a single tank of hot water by turning up the temp. You get warm shower water by mixing hot water and cold water. If you set your hot water heater to a hotter temperature then you can get the same temperature shower by using more cold water and less hot water. And using less hot water means that the water in the tank will last longer.

I use that trick occasionally if I have a lot of guests at my house and I know everyone will want a shower in the morning, but at least in my case I can turn it back down when everyone leaves... sounds like the OP doesn't have that option

 

[BrettS]

Even if you have central air, it may pay to use window A/C units in the rooms you're in most. I have to use window units because our central A/C is broken and we aren't at the point that we want to replace it yet (going to replace both the furnace and a/c at the same time). Anyway, I find that the window A/C units seem to be really efficiant and don't use all that much juice. I have one in my offfice (I work from home FT) and one in our bedroom. Last summer was really cool which helped, but our highest summer electric bill was only around $130. The nice thing about window units is that they are only on when you're in the room, so your aren't cooling the whole house down just to sit and surf the internet in the office. And when you move...you can take them with you!

Actually, as a rule window A/C units are much less effecient than a central air unit. However, as you stated, you do have the option to only cool certain rooms with window units. Also, if your central air unit is very old it is probably also very ineffecient as well. If you can get away with only cooling a few rooms you might be better off with a couple of window units.

Also, check your AC filter and make sure that you replace it frequently (every three months or so) a dirty filter can cost you a lot in power usage. You might also want to have your AC coils cleaned if you have an older unit. Dirty coils can also hurt the effeciency.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Just wanted to add, the problem with running out of hot water for showers isn't in the temperature of the water, but in the size of the tank. You're not getting more hot water by having the temp set up, just the same amount of water at a hotter temp. You might as well turn that down to save some electricity.

As far as everyone not getting a shower, is there any way to stagger showers? Some shower at night and some in the morning, etc?

That's what Dh said, too, but after we turned up the thermostat on it we didn't have that problem anymore so I'm not sure.

Honestly I just don't want to have to have to plan out when everyone showers. We were having some kids shower before dinner and some after (we can't do mornings once school starts because the bus comes at 6:30), but with everything else we have going on it just got to be too much and it works now, we're just paying for it I guess.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/

I found this site about a year ago. I had already started changing the lightbulbs from incandescent to CFL. Then I started wondering about my coffee pot (Bunn). I found out it was costing me about $80/mo to run the pot. I simple $5 timer and it turns on at 5 am and off at 10 am automatically.

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/howmuch.html

That shows how much they cost to run. It's mind-boggling.

Also call your electric co and find out if you are on a tier or a load. It can make all the difference in the world.

I will take a look at this, thanks.

What's the difference between a tier or a load? I've never heard of that.

I did see that my electric company offers something where they put in a different meter and you are charged less if you use more electricity at off peak hours, I'm going to look into that.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Actually, as a rule window A/C units are much less effecient than a central air unit. However, as you stated, you do have the option to only cool certain rooms with window units. Also, if your central air unit is very old it is probably also very ineffecient as well. If you can get away with only cooling a few rooms you might be better off with a couple of window units.

Also, check your AC filter and make sure that you replace it frequently (every three months or so) a dirty filter can cost you a lot in power usage. You might also want to have your AC coils cleaned if you have an older unit. Dirty coils can also hurt the effeciency.

We definitely have an older unit so I'll look into having it cleaned. It sounds like I should get a window unit for the room that doesn't cool, too.

We're good about changing our filters, but that does remind me that our upstairs one needs changed.

 

[dawson5]

tier is that you pay $x up to a certain level and load is the more you use at one time the more you pay. I think what you are talking about is a load meter. Spacing things throughout the day, you pay a higher rate by having two large energy consumers running at the same time. I called, we are on a tier rate.

 

[MariDisney]

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/

I found this site about a year ago. I had already started changing the lightbulbs from incandescent to CFL. Then I started wondering about my coffee pot (Bunn). I found out it was costing me about $80/mo to run the pot. I simple $5 timer and it turns on at 5 am and off at 10 am automatically.

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/howmuch.html

That shows how much they cost to run. It's mind-boggling.

Also call your electric co and find out if you are on a tier or a load. It can make all the difference in the world.

I got $80 for the coffee pot before I realized that that would be running it 24 hours a day. Was yours on that much? I'm just trying to understand.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/

I found this site about a year ago. I had already started changing the lightbulbs from incandescent to CFL. Then I started wondering about my coffee pot (Bunn). I found out it was costing me about $80/mo to run the pot. I simple $5 timer and it turns on at 5 am and off at 10 am automatically.

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/howmuch.html

That shows how much they cost to run. It's mind-boggling.

Also call your electric co and find out if you are on a tier or a load. It can make all the difference in the world.

WOW, this site has TONS of information!! I'm going to be on there all evening . Thanks

 

[dawson5]

bunns are always hot, this is how you can brew a pot in 2 minutes. When you figure a normal coffee pot, you figure the on time to the time you use it and off/minimal usage for the rest of the time (like 4 hrs running and 20 hrs off/standby). My bunn was 100 more when I had the hot plate keeping the carafe warm, it was actually worse than a regular one. I think it worked out to run at 800 for 20 hrs and 900 for 4 hrs. I know I had to pull out the owners manual to find the wattage. It was crazy the amount of electricity it uses.

 

[carissanboys]

Great thread. Having lived on base for the past 8 years, this is the first time I've had to pay electricity in all of that time. Trying to figure out how low I can get it.

 

[Bete]

but with 7 people I would imagine there's a lot of washing clothes. In this area I would not wash on hot, use warm/cold cycle instead. If possible take advantage of hanging outside for drying and set up a line for it.

Cook for everyone at the same time and consolidate the food choices; so, you don't have appliances running and running. Cut back on using a dishwasher; do dishes by hand instead and again use warm water not hot. Do it tub style in the sink; so, water doesn't have to keep running. Rinse well, but it doesn't need hot water to do it. Start with the cleanest dishes and glasses and go from there to the dirtiest. Try to avoid extra dishes and such. Serve from the cooking pot, etc. and don't have a separate dish to just hold food. If you are having a sandwich think about no plates at all and just hold the sandwich the whole time or place it on the table. Save on dishes and save on washing.

Keep away from opening the refrigerator all the time. Infact, move the refrigerator and clean the coils on the back. If coils are dirty and dusty it will use more electricity. Check the seals on the refrigerator and make sure they are all good.

Heating and cooling should be on a timer. For example, it's cooler at night and in the morning; so, you should have the air conditioning on less high at that time. Learn to wear lighter clothes; blue jeans are hot. Lighter clothes will make you feel cooler. Open windows if you can get some cool air in the house. In the winter use a lot of layering of clothes and blankets to keep warm.

This is a biggie; learn to use less TV and video games. Read books instead. Go to the library and cut back on your lights and cooling/heating that way while you are away from home. If mutiple TVs are on ask why especially if it's the same program. Don't shut lights on and off all the time. From what I understand turning anything electic on takes 4 times the power as leaving it on. Of course if your done then don't keep unnecessary lights and such on all the time. Learn to use less lighting in the morning and night. Use dimmer switches and such.

There are screens you can buy for windows and you can do more fans in them to keep the airconditioning on lower. In winter buy those insulating kits for the windows. It's a little work, but they help.

Learn to congregate in one room; so, multiple rooms are not running electricity.

For showers there are some people who get wet, shut the water off, lather up all over and then turn the water back on to rinse. They don't keep the water running all the time. Take shorter showers, too; do it quicker.

Also, see if you can save in other ways. Don't be wasteful in anything you do.

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

In my state we can get a rebate ($10) for covering the hot water tank with a hot water blanket. It's something that can be removed when you move out. It helps to keep the tank warmer without using so much electricity.

My apartment is well insulated but there's no heating/cooling duct to the kitchen. (Weird!) In the summer, I use my crock pot, bread machine, and rice cooker for many meals, instead of cooking on the stove or baking in the oven. It keeps the A/C from overworking. My husband grills too.

 

[3boymthr]

I agree with the turn off the coffee pot and the using cold water for wash. I bought a very simple coffee pot - works great, cost next to nothing to own or run. I also wash everything except really really dirty whites in cold water - this also saves on clothing costs as colors last longer .



Okay, now I've got a couple of more suggestions for you if they aren't already in the list you were looking at (I looked but not in depth).

1) Insulate your water heater and house heater (furnace/boiler/whatever) and all your pipes. This will save you a ton of money on heating costs. DH is in HVAC - he swears by this. It costs very little to do this - if you or your DH are handy you can do it on a Saturday afternoon - all supplies are available at Home Depot or the like.

2) If you don't use your VCR/DVD/Game system all the time put them on a switched outlet as the standby mode sucks a lot of electricity. If your TV doesn't have programming that needs to be stored do the same with it. (Unfortunately we can't do this anymore as our flatscreen has to be reprogrammed when the power goes out ).

3) This is another of DH's HVAC factoids. Make sure to clean your fridge out regularly - Especially make sure to get rid of those unused partial bottles of BBQ sauce and dressing that have been sitting there for 6 months, etc. The more that's in the fridge the more it runs. You have to cool everything in there so it takes more electricity to keep it cool. If drinks are the same price cold as hot at the grocery store buy the cold and make sure to put things away while they are still cold.- it takes less money to keep them cold than to make them cold.

4) Clean your dryer vent. A build up of lint in the vent reduces the efficiency of the dryer.

5) I know you rent but I'd still investigate a new dryer. Compare energy savings on the new dryer (espcially since even the low end dryer's can be energy star rated) with what you're spending on your current dryer. Since it's so old the savings could off set the cost and your landlord might be willing to split the cost up to the amount she can take as a write-off. Plus if your dryer is small capacity a larger capacity dryer might allow you to dry more at once which will save you money on the number of loads.

 

[3boymthr]

This is a biggie; learn to use less TV and video games. Read books instead. Go to the library and cut back on your lights and cooling/heating that way while you are away from home. If mutiple TVs are on ask why especially if it's the same program. Don't shut lights on and off all the time. From what I understand turning anything electic on takes 4 times the power as leaving it on. Of course if your done then don't keep unnecessary lights and such on all the time. Learn to use less lighting in the morning and night. Use dimmer switches and such.

Also, see if you can save in other ways. Don't be wasteful in anything you do.

Actually this ISN'T true. I thought the same thing but there was an episode on Mythbuster's about it. They ran through a bunch of different scenarios but they proved that unless you are only out of the room for 4 seconds it does cost more to leave the light on. Oh well, live and learn.