Got light bill today

[GREENBACK]

I replaced all the bulbs in my house with energy efficient bulbs and couldn't believe the difference it makes. Probably 20-30 bucks a month or more. I replaced the light fixture in the kitchen(240 watts with every flip of the switch) with a smaller fixture that's only using 40 watts. Should have done this a long time ago.

[cicy33]

We have replace 6 bulbs so far. They are pricey! we put them in the areas most used. don't really have much more than that anyways. we also turn off lights when not in the room, tv's, unplug appliances that can be, etc.

[GREENBACK]

We have replace 6 bulbs so far. They are pricey! we put them in the areas most used. don't really have much more than that anyways. we also turn off lights when not in the room, tv's, unplug appliances that can be, etc.

I balked at the cost for a while. After seeing the savings I know these have paid for themselves many times over. I no longer worry about someone leaving an unnecesary light on because it's likely only burning about 10 watts. The other advantage is I have yet to need to replace one that's burned out and that's after about 7 months.

[cicy33]

I replaced three in my bathroom thinking that would help but one stopped working after 1 week. I took it out, put it back, put it in another slot (have a 5 light thing) didn't work. so I put it in the lamp in the bedroom and now works fine? what is up with that?

[GREENBACK]

I replaced three in my bathroom thinking that would help but one stopped working after 1 week. I took it out, put it back, put it in another slot (have a 5 light thing) didn't work. so I put it in the lamp in the bedroom and now works fine? what is up with that?

Not sure if they're all the same. I'm using Sylvania bulbs and have had no problems.

[Snippa]

I replaced all the bulbs in my house with energy efficient bulbs and couldn't believe the difference it makes. Probably 20-30 bucks a month or more. I replaced the light fixture in the kitchen(240 watts with every flip of the switch) with a smaller fixture that's only using 40 watts. Should have done this a long time ago.

Wow. Did that really make that much difference? I had started doing this and my husband read that they really don't help much, so I quit because these bulbs cost so much. But if this really helps, I may go back to converting to the energy efficient bulbs! Do you think it was the bulbs or the light fixture that mattered the most?

Dee

[Snippa]

Okay, so went online to look at new bill cuz I hate to be shocked when it arrives in the mail. $283!!... That is crazy. The other issue I have is that we keep the house at 68 at night and no higher than 70 during the day and usually it is at 69... it is approx 1200 sq ft

I thought my $187 was bad! Bless your heart! We just moved to a 2,200 sq. foot home that is well insultated, but the ceilings are high. This is the highest electric bill we've ever had (but it's the biggest house, I think we've lived in, too). Still... this is hard to deal with. And we keep our heat low, too. It's hard to cut it down below 68-69 during the day when it's below 20 outside, though!

Dee

[GREENBACK]

Wow. Did that really make that much difference? I had started doing this and my husband read that they really don't help much, so I quit because these bulbs cost so much. But if this really helps, I may go back to converting to the energy efficient bulbs! Do you think it was the bulbs or the light fixture that mattered the most?

Dee

I can't say for certain that that's why my bill went down so much but it went down for some reason and I did buy a new and probably way more energy efficient stove last year so that probably factors in as well. Bottom line is that it is paying off.



I'm pretty sure the kitchen light fixture was the major problem. It's a 200 watt difference now. I also had some ceiling lights that were burning three bulbs each. I now use only one bulb in each one because these bulbs are brighter. That's another 300 watts in the living room alone.

I think if you keep chipping away at this stuff it eventually pays off.

[Snodog]

Hmmm... we replaced all our bulbs about a year ago and haven't noticed ANY savings. At least I am hoping they last longer so maybe it won't be a total loss. Won't buy them again if the choice is up to me.

[GREENBACK]

Hmmm... we replaced all our bulbs about a year ago and haven't noticed any savings. At least I am hoping they last longer so maybe it won't be a total loss.

That's interesting. I've noticed a significant drop in my bill. I've credited those lights and changing the light fixtures but maybe it's something else like the new stove.

[wincrasher]

Everything adds up. If you don't have energy star appliances, they can burn double or triple the amount of juice. Old refrigerators are notorious hogs.

But nothing compares to water heaters and heat pumps. Check your filters and set temperatures. A timer on a water heater can save you a bundle.

Do you set your PC to sleep when not in use? A constant running PC can be $10 a month.