Significantly cut electric bill!

[neguy11]

I'm very pleased with myself. Over the past few months I've been making changes and have significantly cut my electric bill. Two months ago it was $75, this past billing period I used 240 kWh and the bill was about $35.

Changes I've made:
1. Replaced all lightbulbs with CFL's.
2. Unplugged small kitchen appliances when not in use (toaster & coffee maker), removed light buld in fridge, increased temperature settings in fridge.
3. Put electronics on power strips and only turn on when using (printer, paper shredder, TV, DVD player, Wii).
4. Unlpugged internet router when going to work and when sleeping.
5. Changed laptop settings to shut off display after 2 minutes, whether plugged in or on battery (I change this when I'm watching a movie, but I tend to walk away a lot!)
6. Replaced 2.5 GPM showerhead with 1.5 GPM one and relaced kitchne/bathroom sink faucet heads with 1.5 GPM ones.
7. Charge cell phone at work (it's allowed)

I've switched over to CFL's a year ago, so that didn't cost me any extra, and I found some powerstrips I wasn't using. The only cost I had was the showerhead ($9.xx at Walmart) and the faucet heads ($2.xx each at Lowes). I know my usage will go up when summer comes, but all these little changes really have been adding up.

Anyone have any tips for saving on electricty usage during the hot, humid summer? I have a dehumdifier that is fairly efficient (220 watts) and should work well in my small apartment. I think that will help -- I don't necessarily mind heat, I just HATE HATE HATE humidity!

[Ima saver]

If you have an electric hot water heater, you can keep it turned off. Only turn it back on about 20 minutes before taking a shower or washing dishes.

[KTP]

I am trying desperately to reduce mine. Our last bill for Jan/Feb was $946 just for electric (we have no other heat source though).

We pay about 0.10 a kwh

For most of March I have been using small space heaters and blankets instead of running the 220V 100 amp furnace. I figure the furnace is over $2 for every hour it runs!

[simpleyme]

great job!

[snafu]

Good plan: http://www.rpu.org/pdfs/vampire_power_brochure_2009.pdf
how much electricity common items use

[creditoria]

If you have an electric hot water heater, you can keep it turned off. Only turn it back on about 20 minutes before taking a shower or washing dishes.

I thought that if you keep the electric hot water heater turned on constantly you actually save on your electricity bill. The reasoning behind that was that if it turns on 5 times a day and just adds 5 degrees C to the water temperature inside, before it reaches the target temperature of say 60 Deg C, then the total work done (electricity spent) is for adding 25 degs.

On the other hand heating the whole boiler from 20 Deg to 60 deg once before you take a shower every evening /morning is for adding 40 degrees to the water.

[cptacek]

I thought that if you keep the electric hot water heater turned on constantly you actually save on your electricity bill. The reasoning behind that was that if it turns on 5 times a day and just adds 5 degrees C to the water temperature inside, before it reaches the target temperature of say 60 Deg C, then the total work done (electricity spent) is for adding 25 degs.

On the other hand heating the whole boiler from 20 Deg to 60 deg once before you take a shower every evening /morning is for adding 40 degrees to the water.

Sure, and if you are planning on making pasta tomorrow, go ahead and put the pot on the stove now and just keep it boiling until you are ready to make it. Same concept, right?

I did this in my old house when I lived alone (can't quite get DH to agree to do it yet), but I had a natural gas water heater. I kept it on the vacation setting until I wanted to take a shower. 20 minutes heated it up nicely. It really cut the bill.

[simpleyme]

when we leave town for a couple days we turn the water heater off altogether

we took 3 weeks vacation last year so that's about a month of having it turned off not sure how much it saves but it has to save something

[Ima saver]

I thought that if you keep the electric hot water heater turned on constantly you actually save on your electricity bill. The reasoning behind that was that if it turns on 5 times a day and just adds 5 degrees C to the water temperature inside, before it reaches the target temperature of say 60 Deg C, then the total work done (electricity spent) is for adding 25 degs.

On the other hand heating the whole boiler from 20 Deg to 60 deg once before you take a shower every evening /morning is for adding 40 degrees to the water.

Creditoria, It really does work. I live in a very large house (3200 square feet) and I am home all day. (plus we have 3 refrigerators and a garage apartment) and my bill is never over $120 month. I have been doing this with my hot water heater for 32 years and trust me, it works!

[emilywebster07]

Thanks for the tip, I follow some of it but always cannot follow, unplugging the cable when not in use.

[ClearClouds]

I recently found out that even though I have appliances plugged into a powerstrip that it can still waste electricity. Now I'm more cautious on what is plugged in and to unplug my computer when I turn it off.

[JBinKC]

I am trying desperately to reduce mine. Our last bill for Jan/Feb was $946 just for electric (we have no other heat source though).

We pay about 0.10 a kwh

For most of March I have been using small space heaters and blankets instead of running the 220V 100 amp furnace. I figure the furnace is over $2 for every hour it runs!

Don't you have winter electric rates? Lots of utilities offer them if you exclusively heat with electric baseboards and/or heat pumps.

If I were paying that much I would look into any other possible source to switch to.

[Goldy1]

I just turned my hot tub back on for the season(I am sure that costs me but I keep it lower temp until I turn it up 20 mins before I go in)
I have a fish tank, and I am always going room to room leaving on lights.
Also I keep a light on all night so it is on to get up with my new baby.

I am good about turning down the computer.

[snafu]

Read that laptop uses 90% less energy than standard computer. Save approx. $44. per year by turning off computer, monitor at the end of the day.

[SavingNut]

I have to buy a new washer and dryer because my washer is starting to move aound in the washroom and I have to start the dryer twice for the clothes to be dry. My last bill was 350.00$ usually it's only 180.00$-200.00$. The electric fireplace was also on alot cause out living room is reallly cold. I can't wait for summer that's where I can save more money.