Reducing Electric bill

[Disneylover79]

So DF and I are trying to think of ways to reduce our electric bill. What are your suggestions? We have turned the air to 76-78 degrees at night then 80 during the day. But what else can we do?

 

[seashoreCM]

So DF and I are trying to think of ways to reduce our electric bill. What are your suggestions? We have turned the air to 76-78 degrees at night then 80 during the day. But what else can we do?

Don't leave the computer on all day (or all night). Some experts say that leaving it on means less wear and tear on the electronics compared with on/off/on/off, though.

Dehumidifiers consume a lot of electricity. But sometimes you cannot turn them off without having things stored in the room or basement get moldy.

Most of the other things need capital expenditure. That is, buying more energy efficient things that may cost more compared with new things of the same kind you have.

For example, compact fluorescent lamps use much less energy for the same amount of light but cost a lot more than ordinary (incandescent) lamps.

A gas water heater costs about about half as much in energy costs as an electric one (and also heats the next tankful about twice as fast). But the cost of buying and installing one to replace a still good electric is intimidating.

 

[dawnbu40]

I have read that anything that is plugged in, whether it's on or not, is using electricity. We started unplugging anything that wasn't in use (toaster, microwave, phone chargers etc) and saw an almost instant decrease in our usage on our bills.

 

[sydneysmom]

We switched all our lightbulbs to CFL bulbs about 2 years ago. (including the flood lights outdoors). It made a very drastic difference in our electric bill. It was a little expensive, but we made a list of how many we needed, what kind we needed and then I bought them when I had coupons or when our Kroger was having sales. (our Kroger had better sales than Wal-Mart's regular prices on them at one point). But over the course of about 3-4 months I replaced all of them.

We also replaced our washer and dryer to an HE set. That was out of necessity rather than trying to save electic ! But, I found that our electric bill dropped after we bought those.

But it's alot of little things....turn off lights when you're not in a room. That will help alot.

 

[dawson5]

Look at michaelbluejay.com

There is a section that deals with lowering electricity usage. There is also a calculator that tells you what things use.

Find out if you are on a load or a tier rate. We are on a tier. It doesn't matter if I run the washer, dryer and dishwasher at the same time. I get charged .xx/kwh until I reach a certain tier, then I'm charged .xx/kwh until I reach the next tier (and so on). Lodes are the ones that charge you more if you are running a lot at the same time.

Programmable thermostat. I was able to lower our gas bill dramatically because of it. Anything I've saved on gas has been eaten by electricity this summer.

 

[mom2d&b]

All of the ideas are great. In addition to many of those, we also added tint to our windows, and I purchased thermal backed drapes for one room at a time. This has made a big difference for us. We closed our hurricane shutters on 2 windows (kids bath and hall)-it is a little dark in those areas but cooler.

 

[QVCshopper]

Great tips. A free thing you can do is to unplug anything you're not using. It's a pain, but things suck electricity even when they're off. I really watch my electric/gas bill. In the winter, putting pillows in your basement windows cuts down on lost heat.

 

[NonScents]

If you have an electric water heater, turn it off at the circuit breaker.

I turn it on in the morning while making coffee and feeding the cats, by the time I take my shower water is plenty hot; then turn it off after.
Usually only need to turn it on every other to every third day, but then it is only me, and I don't take long or scalding hot showers to begin with, and do all laundry in cold water anyway.

Even if you turn it on once a day, will still save having it on constantly. I even did this when I lived up north, but in Fla this time of year, water stays warm a long time.

 

[Steve BWV'99]

Ceiling fans worked for us. We also have a portable fan for rooms that dont have cieling fans. They really do make a difference

 

[TxRabbit]

I posted this on a related thread...Read the book Insulate and weatherize: expert advice from start to finish by Bruce Harley. I borrowed it from the local library...lots of great advice in their to help your entire house be more efficient.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Keeps the filters on your heating/ air clean. Makes a big difference.

 

[JB2K]

So DF and I are trying to think of ways to reduce our electric bill. What are your suggestions? We have turned the air to 76-78 degrees at night then 80 during the day. But what else can we do?

A few thoughts imnmediately come to mind:

• Do you have a bunch of plug-in chargers (iPod, cell phone) left unattended doing nothing? Those are known energy hogs.
  
• Get a digital, programmable thermostat -- the money you save in one month will supass the money you spend buying it.
  
• Also, remember to change your central A/C filters, monthly.

 

[beansmom]

Great tips. A free thing you can do is to unplug anything you're not using. It's a pain, but things suck electricity even when they're off. I really watch my electric/gas bill. In the winter, putting pillows in your basement windows cuts down on lost heat.

this is only true of things that 'sleep'...like clock radios, digital toasters, coffeepots, etc. Lamps, for example, do not use electricity merely by being plugged in.

 

[cglaura]

Only use the clothes dryer 10-20 minutes, then line or clothes rack dry.

For the hot water heater tip...I do this also, but I had a timer installed (years ago when I had the electric rewired) so it automatically turns on at the times of day I know I'll use it. Either would work (timer or turning of breaker).

Drapes on the sunny side of the house in summer, all windows in winter to keep in the heat.

Long term: Plant trees on the sunny side to eventually shade the house for less cooling costs. Plant windbreak trees/shrubs on the northern side for help cutiing cold wind.

I was able to get on our electric providers program where the rates are lower 8pm to 8am, so I try to run anything major during those times. I'll usually keep the air on at night, then off during the day unless it is an excessive heat warning, then I keep it off as long as I can.

 

[TxRabbit]

• Do you have a bunch of plug-in chargers (iPod, cell phone) left unattended doing nothing? Those are known energy hogs.

this is only true of things that 'sleep'...like clock radios, digital toasters, coffeepots, etc. Lamps, for example, do not use electricity merely by being plugged in.

If the thing plugged in has any kind of display (like a clock on a coffee maker, microwave, oven, clockradio, etc.), then it is always using electicity. If it has a remote control capability, then it is always using electricity. If it has a DC converter (the big fat box in something like a lap top cord or the bigger boxy shaped then on the end of most chargers (cell, iPod, DS, etc.), then the cord itself is always using electricity regardless if the device is attached. Unplugging these, or having them plugged into a strip where you can cut power, will reduce your electic load.

If it is something like a lamp that has an on off switch and doesn't have a DC converter, then having it plugged in doesn't cost any more electricity than any other light switch that is turned off.

One other tip for clothes dryers...if you can, try to do all your drying one right after another (same day, not a load a day). The residual heat in the dryer after each load will help each sucessive load.

 

[SandrA9810]

Anything that has a remote switch is one to use power all the time. Like a TV, something inside the tv has to be on for it to recognize when you hit the power button on the remote.
Power strips are easy and affordable, and should already be connected to your electronics. Some things are harder to turn off and on because they go through a long start up process, or like some of the older wireless networks require the unit be turned on a certain way. But all other things, just connect it to the strip and then turn the strip off when you're not using it. For the other units like clocks or DVR boxes that are kept on, keep those on a seperate strip.

There's also an alternative to sleep mode on your computer, it's call hibernate which uses even less power. Seems some of the new computers have it as an option, but you can still do it in older computer by holding certain keys when shutting down. And it doesn't take as long for the computer to turn on again. But off is usually best.

Adjusting your water heater to a comfortable temp that you would use for a shower, maybe a tad bit hotter. Since you save money by washing clothes in cold water, and dishwashers use their own heating element, you can set it to whatever temp you're comfortable with.

Even living in apartments, the first thing we would do on move in day is make the place more efficient. We changed all the light bulbs to CFL and swapped the thermostat for a digital programmable one.

Using kitchen countertop cookware is cheaper than turning the stove on all the time. Toaster ovens, **** pots, electric skillets, and if you're not afraid of them a pressure cooker. I also really liked using the nu wave oven my mom had. These are all perfect items for the solo or couple. Just make sure you have the counter space and storage space as some of them are kind of big.

If you use one room the most, or prefer your bedroom to be a lot cooler at night. Getting a high energy rated window AC is much cheaper than turning down the central AC unit. In fact you could probably turn the central ac up at night so it doesn't turn on very often and use the window unit for cooling the room.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_317015-2251-LRA074AT7_4294859075+5003703_4294937087?productId=3200897&pl=1&currentURL=/pl_$100%2B-%2B$200_4294859075%205003703_4294937087_
That one is high rated, and a low price. Although it does create some white noise. So if you need total silence, it might drive you up a wall. After having to adjust to using a window AC in the first apartment, I still can't sleep in complete silence anymore.

And double check all windows and doors for leaks. That can be one of your biggest budget busters right there.

 

[dfchelbay]

We bought a portable air conditioner unit. We can move it from room to room, depending on where we are in the house. We have not turned on the central air at all this year. We put the portable air conditioner in the master bedroom at night, and close the bedroom door. It keeps all the cold air in the bedroom. When in the office, we turn the air on in that room. Our home sits high atop a hill, so the entire back of the house is three stories of windows and sliding glass doors. So, the central air we have does little to no good when run. It makes for a great view, but not at all budget friendly.

Fortunately, the entire lower level stays a consistent 68ish year round. We spend most of our time there. We have a kitchen, family room, bedrooms, couple bathrooms there, so we're all set. I cannot imagine what our air condition/electric bill would be if we ran the central air day and night over the summer.

I would recommend to anyone a portable air conditioner, they're great.

 

[C.Ann]

Don't leave the computer on all day (or all night). Some experts say that leaving it on means less wear and tear on the electronics compared with on/off/on/off, though.

.

I have always done this.. Last thing I need is for my computer to "fry" on me! It's off and unplugged when I'm not using it..

I have read that anything that is plugged in, whether it's on or not, is using electricity. We started unplugging anything that wasn't in use (toaster, microwave, phone chargers etc) and saw an almost instant decrease in our usage on our bills.

DD's FIL literally despises the electric company.. It's SO bad, it's actually funny at times.. He does all of this and more - and it certainly has cut his bills dramatically..

Programmable thermostat.

DD and her DH have saved an enormous amount of money since purchasing one of these for their heat/central a/c..

In the winter, putting pillows in your basement windows cuts down on lost heat.

That's a great idea that I hadn't heard of.. I'm going to pass that on.. Thanks!

If you have an electric water heater, turn it off at the circuit breaker.

I turn it on in the morning while making coffee and feeding the cats, by the time I take my shower water is plenty hot; then turn it off after.
Usually only need to turn it on every other to every third day, but then it is only me, and I don't take long or scalding hot showers to begin with, and do all laundry in cold water anyway.

Even if you turn it on once a day, will still save having it on constantly. I even did this when I lived up north, but in Fla this time of year, water stays warm a long time.

This is what my sis does - formerly from the north - now living in Florida..

Ceiling fans worked for us. We also have a portable fan for rooms that dont have cieling fans. They really do make a difference

In this heat, due to health reasons, I have to sleep with the a/c on all night.. However, when I get up in the morning, I usually shut it right off, keep everything closed up tight, and use the ceiling fan for hours before I have to turn the a/c back on for awhile..

Lots of great ideas here!

 

[Muushka]

I ordered a Killawatt today http://www.killawattplus.com/?gclid=CPG-xcHisqMCFUsJ2god9WtA3g

I am always unplugging things and this device will tell me exactly how much electricity is being consumed while plugged in.

I bought a Keurig coffee maker and read the book that came with it. When it is simply plugged in (not even on! no cool blue light or anything!!!) it uses as much electricity as a 60 watt light bulb. I was stunned.

Anywhoo, it will be interesting to use this new device!