This month the cost of electricity went up almost 40% where I'm at, so while always try to conserve, it's on my mind more now.
What energy saving ideas do you have to share??
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Check your window and door sealers. Make sure nothing can escape.
We put in energy efficient appliances- a/c unit, washer & dryer.
Find out your peak energy cost hours and avoid washing clothes and using the dishwasher at that time.
Unplug small appliances when not in use like the toaster and hair dryer.
Turn off lights when exiting a room.
Close the refrigerator door.
Put your fridge and freezer setting on the warmest cold setting it can be to still keep food fresh and frozen.
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Get an energy audit. We had one, it cost about $90 and included 5 LED bulbs. The guys were at our house for close to three hours and they ran all kinds of tests. We found leaks all over the house, and they plugged a lot of them.
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New windows aren't in the budget right now, so I'm planning on adding some thick lined curtains to the windows in our living room. We also use energy-efficient light bulbs, turn off the lights in rooms we aren't using, don't run the dishwasher daily, we also don't shower daily or bathe LO daily, run full loads of laundry only, and if you can, try line drying your clothes instead of using the dryer. At some point, I want to convert to a tankless water heater for our house.
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water heaters loose a lot of heat going from the heater to the shower/sink, we insulated those copper pipes going up from the water heater with these things from HD. a super easy project, just only do the hot ones, no need to do the cold ones. http://www.homedepot.com/p/MD-Building-Products-3-8-in-x-3-4-in-x-6-ft-Tube-Pipe-Insulation-Kit-50150/100665768
We also tried to feel if there was cold air coming in the outlet plugs on external walls and bought a multi pack of these little foam sealers that go between the outlet plate and the open space that leaks air, they also make them for switches. Use on external walls only.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/MD-Building-Products-Outlet-Plate-Receptacle-Insulating-Sealers-6-Pack-87916/100353482Also, get a programable thermostat if you don't already have one. They improve efficiency so much that most states do rebates to encourage people to buy them. In our state, our gas company AND our electric company will both do a $25 rebate when you fill out a form and include copy of your receipt. That's $50 back, and most basic programmable thermostats cost around $25 or $30, so you actually MAKE money. We did this at a rental property with 8 units and actually made $200!
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: we don't have peak hours here, but if we did, I'd totally hold off for off peak hours! I do need to get better about unplugging things that aren't in use, good tips!
@looch: wow! That sounds like it could be really interesting!
@avivoca: you do a lot of the same things I do! I only run full loads of dishes or clothes, don't shower everyday (if I was sweaty or dirty I would, but only wash my hair every 2-3 days). All our lights are energy efficient bulbs, but most switches have ~4 lights on them, so maybe I'll add a lamp in some areas so I only use one light unless I need all of them. I find the rope caulking really helps with window leaks, as does the plastic shrink stuff, but I'm thinking my kittens would rip it down this year
, but curtains make a huge difference! If I had outdoor space, I'd line dry during nice weather, but sadly we don't have anywhere to do that. @LaughLines: I should get a wrap to insulate my water heater! I had one at our old place, but here our water heater is in a stone, dirt floor, unheated basement so I'm sure that would help! I have one of those programable thermostats, but I haven't had it installed yet, did you do it yourself? Is it complicated?
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@mrs. bird: We have terrible leaks around our windows--nothing visible that we can fix, but we know they are there because it's freezing by the windows AND our building HOA is suing the builder of the window issues.
Since we have huge windows in every room, our heating and cooling costs were pretty insane for a small 2 bedroom condo. One month is was $400, and my husband almost had a heart attack. So over the summer, I bought a bunch of west elm curtains and sewed thick blackout lining to the back and those have really helped. It's cut our electricity bills in half.
The only sucky part is, it only works when they are closed...but then there's no natural light. We keep them closed all night, but during the day if I'm home, I have to have them opened, higher electricity costs be damned.
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@mrs. bird: Have you thought about a drying rack? I have two kitties too and they leave my drying rack alone.
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@avivoca: if it's climbable, it's climbed!
maybe after they turn one they'll settle down, but they're still climbing curtains and coat racks, they're pretty naughty! Good suggestion though!
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The non expensive things are get those plastic liners for the Windows. Huge difference!
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@mrs. bird: I installed all of mine myself, totally doable. Just need a little screw driver and need to pay careful attention to the colors of the wires and what the directions say. And also know how to turn off the electric while you're working on it. Easy peasy.
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I have a cat that messed with our drying rack, so I resorted to hanging clothes to dry by putting them on the hanger, and hanging from the top of a windowsill. Looks funny I'm sure, but it works! Also, we called our gas provider and locked in a rate for 6 months, which has helped a lot. Last winter when we had our LO, our bill was almost $400 too, ouch.
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If you have leaky windows, try covering them with plastic. It's not pretty but it will save money over the winter.
, but curtains make a huge difference! If I had outdoor space, I'd line dry during nice weather, but sadly we don't have anywhere to do that. Reply
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