Saving Tips On Utilities

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

I just installed a programmable thermostat. I put insulation inserts behind all the electric outlet and switch plates. I use a little snake to cut off drafts
at the bottom of the kitchen and entrance doors. Two years ago I added insulation to the attic and one of the eaves clostes. I have yet to upgrade the insulation on the other eaves closet.

I have installed super saver bulbs everywhere I possibly could. We have an attic fan and a house fan. The house fan removes heat in the attic. We use the attic fan in the evening to draw cool air in during the summer. I try to do cold water washes as much as possible. I hang clothes to dry. Showers are kept to less than 5 minutes. The heat goes down to 63 at night and up to 68 during the day (winter).

We try to cut usage wherever and whenever we can!

[mjrube94]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

Does anyone know which direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) the fan blades are supposed to go? I know that if you switch them in the winter, it actually helps to keep the warm air in, but I always get confused.

[Razzy]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

I know one of the first things we did when we moved into our current home, we rent from relatives, is to change all the light bulbs in the in the light fixtures to lower wattage bulbs. The renters before us had light bulbs in the fixtures that were sometimes over a 100 watts. We also put insutaltion inserts behind the outlets.

As for the outside lights we have replaced both of them and use halogen lights but use a lower wattage for those. Yes we pay a bit more for the name brand on halogen but they last longer than the generic and they don't cost anymore to use then regular light bulbs.


Razzy

[daveo]

Using Mirrors to Save Money

I'm sure you already know that a mirror's purpose is to reflect. When you look into a mirror, you expect to see a reflection staring back at you. We rely on mirrors everyday when we drive, for personal care like brushing our hair or putting on make-up, and maybe even for looking in hard to see places.

But they can also help reduce your electric bill, if placed correctly.

Since mirrors reflect, if you position a light source correctly near a mirror, the mirror will reflect the light outward. This can in a way "emulate" a second light source without actually physically having another light there. (Think of it as a virtual light).

You can prove this to yourself. If you have a mirror, place it across from a decent light source, like a bigger lamp. Turn on the light. Play with the positioning of the mirror until the room "brightens." Of course, hacing lighter colored walls certainly helps the experiment, but even with darker walls, the difference is noticeable. The room seems brighter, since the mirror is simply reflecting the light. It's acting like a light source, even though it is not actually producing any light.

[cicy33]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

If the blades on the fan are turning clockwise it is pushing the air down, if it is turning counter clockwise pushing the air up. Ours is pretty much always pushing down.

[Razzy]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

If you use fans remember to clean them at least once or twice a month so they run efficiently ( they will also last longer if you clean them) and remember to clean the filter in the a/c too.


Razzy

[Bluezy]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

In summer, turn off your air con while you are gone during the day. In winter, use your fireplaces.

[cicy33]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

We were told by our air guy (he is also our cousin) that if you turn off your air, it actually takes longer to recool your house than if you left it on during the day at a higher temp. We usually put ours on 80 while we are gone and then turn it down to comfort when we get home.

[Razzy]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

That is what we have started doing I hope our electric bill does not go up.

Razzy

[sonj]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

Not attractive but effective...aluminum foil on the windows that the sun rises and sets on.


Curtain off doorways that you don't want as warm (winter) or cool (summer)

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

slightly more attractive than foil, but less effective, is a black curtain. hmm well I guess that more attractive is relative, I like black .

[Razzy]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

I am actually thinking of making a window blanket for our windows. One side would be a dark fabric the other side a light fabric and inbetween a layer of batting for insulation.


Razzy

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

We actually have a blanket on our livingroom window, (folded over at the top to stay with safety pins) did great to help keep the living room warm in the winter, I would like to look into actually making a curtain like you mentioned, but well I don't sew straight!
might ask my mom to do it, she sews a bit straighter than I do, and would love to make something I want.

Thanks for bringing that up!

[Fern]

Another Utility Tip

In adidtion to programmable thermostats, get a programmable thermostat for your electric hot water heater.

Most people don't need to have their hot water heated 24 hours a day cus it stays heated for hours. I am single and work during the day and do just fine with only heating my water 3 hours a day, in late afternoon, so the water tends to be not as hot in mid day to mid afternnon and it's most hoti n the evening, when i need it. (I shower at night.)

[cercis]

Re: Saving Tips On Utilities

You need to look at your particular fan to see which pushes air down. The info posted above is a general rule, but we had a great fan which was opposite that (thankfully it had a remote which told us with arrows which way the air would move).

When watering, use soaker hoses as much as possible. Cover them with mulch (more attractive), this will greatly cut down on evaporation.

Try to get used to a warmer house in the summer and a cooler house in the winter. The bonus (besides lower energy usage) is that you are more likely to actually do things outside if there isn't a huge difference between indoor and outdoor temps. We keep our house at 87 during the day and 84 at night. It's 100F outside, this means that outside is still 15 of so degrees warmer than inside, hot, but doable. Even DH (who would prefer to live in CO) has been able to adjust to the temps. In the winter, well, we only ran it once this year, but we do live in the subtropics. We keep it set at 62 or so.

Don't forget to change filters often.