How do you reduce electric costs?

[bigtendominator]

We don't use the upstairs in my house. The vents are closed the bedrooms are shut and the temp is around 58. Downstairs i keep the temp at 68, but we don't have that many lights on in the house.

However, my monthly bill is around $275-$300, how do I reduce this cost, I have no idea how we pay so much?

Any suggestions from those that may have reduced costs.

Thanks,

 

[Buster]

new windows installed?
having mine put in and they guaranteed me 30% savings...also having a programmable thermostat that says i can cut another 10%...and of course new hot water heater will also save you big bucks....

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=thermostats.pr_thermostats

Did you know that properly using a programmable thermostat in your home is one of the easiest ways you can save energy, money, and help fight global warming?

An ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat helps make it easy for you to save by offering four pre-programmed settings to regulate your home’s temperature in both summer and winter — when you are asleep or away.

The average household spends more than $2,000 a year on energy bills — nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling.

Homeowners can save about $180 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostats and maintaining those settings. The pre-programmed settings that come with ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats are intended to deliver savings without sacrificing comfort. Depending on your family’s schedule, you can see significant savings by sticking with those settings or adjust them as appropriate for your family. The key is to establish a program that automatically reduces heating and cooling in your home when you don’t need as much. Use the ENERGY STAR Programmable Thermostat Calculator to see what you can save with set-back temperatures that work for your family. The pre-programmed settings for an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat are:

 

[joebatters]

You probably already thought of this one, but turn your computer(s) off when you go to bed and are at work. Also, maybe switch to battery operated clocks in you have electric ones.

 

[kingbill]

Unplug phone chargers when they are not in use...it's like leaving a 100w light on all the time

 

[Uno]

I eat meat... honestly it does not save me any money on power but at least I am not a phag.

 

[Rambo]

Unplug everything you dont use. Toasters, blenders, cell phone chargers, tvs. Even though their not in use, they cost more by being plugged in.

 

[Uno]

Unplug everything you dont use. Toasters, blenders, cell phone chargers, tvs. Even though their not in use, they cost more by being plugged in.

Can we get your username changed to Captain Obvious?

 

[Rambo]

Can we get your username changed to Captain Obvious?

Do you follow me around just to post dumb shit?

 

[Uno]

Do you always ask stupid questions you know the answers to?

 

[Rambo]

Stalker

 

[bigtendominator]

You probably already thought of this one, but turn your computer(s) off when you go to bed and are at work. Also, maybe switch to battery operated clocks in you have electric ones.

Rambo mentioned several things, like unplugging the toaster and other items. I didn't think of turning of the computers. We always leave them on.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

[Uno]

Rambo mentioned several things, like unplugging the toaster and other items. I didn't think of turning of the computers. We always leave them on.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

you're welcome!

 

[barman]

We don't use the upstairs in my house. The vents are closed the bedrooms are shut and the temp is around 58. Downstairs i keep the temp at 68, but we don't have that many lights on in the house.

However, my monthly bill is around $275-$300, how do I reduce this cost, I have no idea how we pay so much?

Any suggestions from those that may have reduced costs.

Thanks,

A common challenge is you have a hot water leak somewhere. This will result in the water heater being constantly in ON mode as the replenished water is constantly being heated.

A plumber can likely do a pressure check for you at fairly nominal cost

 

[barman]

Items plugged into walls but not in On mode do not draw electrical current.

Turning off your computer(s) will result in at best a couple bucks a week in savings.

Sometimes figuring out a reasonable way to increase your revenue by $100 a month is a lot wiser use of your time than trying to chink down your outgo by $100

 

[bigtendominator]

Items plugged into walls but not in On mode do not draw electrical current.

Turning off your computer(s) will result in at best a couple bucks a week in savings.

Sometimes figuring out a reasonable way to increase your revenue by $100 a month is a lot wiser use of your time than trying to chink down your outgo by $100

Very good point.

 

[Buster]

punch in your zipcode and follow directions...

http://hes.lbl.gov/

 

[Mr.Leisure]

A common challenge is you have a hot water leak somewhere. This will result in the water heater being constantly in ON mode as the replenished water is constantly being heated.

A plumber can likely do a pressure check for you at fairly nominal cost

Don`t most people have a gas water heater ?

 

[barman]

Don`t most people have a gas water heater ?

I don't know.

I do know that in Dallas TX (where Big10 is at now and where I lived for 37 years), electric water heaters are certainly more prevalent.

And also here in Florida.

Pretty sure that gas as a utility is by far more a northern thang than it is further south.

 

[Mr.Leisure]

I don't know.

I do know that in Dallas TX (where Big10 is at now and where I lived for 37 years), electric water heaters are certainly more prevalent.

And also here in Florida.

Pretty sure that gas as a utility is by far more a northern thang than it is further south.

Fair enough ,in cali most houses are gas .Apts. and businesss are electric. cheers!

 

[OccamsRazor]

These giant corporations are ripping us blind. Electricity costs pennies produce yet the electric companies charge us exorbitant fees.

If the meter has a glass casing puncture a hole on the bottom and away from were the meter reader guy reads it. The glass is thick so you might want to shoot a bb at it from about 8yds. Wear eye protection as the bb tends to ricochet right back at you. Once you have succeeded creating a small hole you can now stick in a straw, or a stick or an object in to jam the meter disk and stop its spin. The meter readings are based on the spins of the wheel. No spin means little or no electricity was used you decide what you want to pay the robbers . The meter is read on or around the same date of the month. Your bill well tell you when the meter reader is going to come and read the meter. You want to pull your stick, straw out a day or 2 before and insert it back in right after they read it. I use a clear plastic tube I found at a hobby shop. I have forgotten to pull the stick out in the past. The readings on the bill show no electricity used for the month, but the electric company still charges $2.50 in fees.


Obtaining electricity for free is a crime so be careful. Charging us dollars for electricity instead of pennies is also a crime so I figure we're even.

:cripwalk: