we just got our electric bill in the mail today-and yikes!

**Braque68** · 10-16-2006, 01:28 PM

Can I ask for suggestions as to how to cut back? is it true that it is more economical to run full load of dishwasher and washing machine late at night or early in the morning (not run things between 9am and 9pm)? Of course, hang laundry to dry and wash in cold water.

What else can we do?

Thanks.

Sue

**banana** · 10-16-2006, 02:37 PM

It could be economical if your electric co offers lower rates for late at night/overnight. You should call them to ask. I switched over to CF lightbulbs and noticed a difference in my bill. I also unplug items after I use them (within reason if I can reach the cord), like my microwave. If you have an electric water heater try shutting it off overnight and turning it on a 1/2 hour before you need hotwater or better yet install a timer, and while you are at it look to see what the temp is set to. I lowered my hotwater setting to 120 degrees. Do you have ConEdision? My mom and sis lives in Brooklyn, and their rates are higher than mine. I know my sis who lives in an apt has the same electric bill that I do (for a house), her's should be a lot lower since she doesnt have a dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, furance etc but with the rates being much higher our bills are about the same.

Every little bit you do does add up! I also try to read my meter daily which gives me an idea on what it costs per day.

Good Luck!

**lottaLove** · 10-16-2006, 03:09 PM

I read something somewhere in the past few days about an electric company that provides free energy saving supplies (darned if I can remember where though!)

They installed things like hot water pipe insulation, lower flow nozzles for shower heads and taps, and thermostat programmers.

My suggestions would be to shower rather than bathe, seal off any place that might cause a draft and make your house cold, and turn off/unplug anything you can when you're not using it. If you're not using your computer or your television, turn them off.

You might want to check the settings on your refrigerator as well. I find that I can turn down the refrigeration level in the winter time, and still keep my fridge cool enough to be safe and avoid contamination.

We also shut the heating vents for rooms that are not in constant use (for example the spare bedroom). I'm not sure if this actually does anything, but it's my theory that the heat that would go into that room is being sent to the living room, resulting in the furnace being on for a shorter period of time.

Hope this helps!

**frugal.lass** · 10-16-2006, 03:21 PM

I'm not sure how your place is heated but when my friend and I lived in a drafty old apartment we were able to lower our electricity bill by using those plastic-wrap like window insulating kits and draft stoppers at the doors (so we didn't have to keep the baseboard heaters cranked).

This is kind of a no-brainer but make sure people (kids especially) are dressed appropriately for the weather. One of my former roommates would complain about how cold our apartment was and want to turn up the heat. The problem?? We'd all be wearing jeans and sweaters/sweatshirts and she'd come home from class and change into yoga-style capri pants and a tanktop.

**staceyy** · 10-16-2006, 03:27 PM

Look for your home's energy vampires I read that 7 to 10% of our bill can be contributed to these. Energy vampires are the many things in the house that are plugged in and use electricity 24-7. Look for anything with a remote, an electronic clock or light that is always on. In my kitchen this includes my stove, microwave and coffe pot, in my family room it is my tv, vcr, dvd, cable box and clock radio, in my bedroom it is the same, in my office it is the fax/copier and my computer. None of these use free electricity. Try to unplug as many as you can. Some people install power strips and cut everything off at one time when not in use.

Pay attention to what lights you use in the evening. My hall lights use four bulbs and my living room uses one . Of course I use my hall lights when I need to but if I just want to light my house to let outsiders know someone is home, I will turn on the living room light not the hall light.

If you run your dishwasher when it is half full, you are running it twice to do a full load. I run my dishwasher about every other day when it is full. The same is true for washing clothes.

Does anyone in your family fall asleep with the television on, is your computer on all the time? Anything not in use should be turned off.

**MTS04** · 10-17-2006, 12:39 AM

go to www.energystar.gov There are a bunch of tips and links for conserving energy. the home energy analysis link is really neat. They also have a link to contact the energy conservation people and have them come out to your house. Here in MA, I had it done, the conservation people put a draft blocking sweep on the bottom of a door, an aerator on the sink, wrapped a couple of pipes and replaced a couple of bulbs with flourescents.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

**marie_squared** · 10-17-2006, 09:47 AM

wow! even i picked up some tips from some of the suggestions. thanks for posting your question!

**miss_thrifty** · 10-18-2006, 09:48 AM

our bill goes up and down like ayo yo lately, recently stayng up kore then lowslol
i found out from a person who works for the town , that some of the things that go on in town like bringing the Candain air force jetssnowbirds , gotta paid some how. so we probably make up the differnce in our bills. Everyones went up last month, ours agin thsi month by $3.00, so im going to try to keep light off as much ad do more handwashing dishes.

**staceyy** · 10-18-2006, 02:09 PM

I forgot to add that we try not to use the air conditioner in the summer unless we absolutely have to. We open the windows and own 3 portable fans. We use gas for heating our home but the principles are the same. We keep our heat at 68 degrees during the day in the winter and turn it down to 63 degrees at night. We have a portable electric heater that we use to heat up an individual room that we plan to be in for awhile such as the family room or bedroom. This way we elevate the temperature in one room rather than raising the temperature for the entire house. I always wear socks in the winter when home and warm clothes. When I'm in the family room, I'll shut the door to keep the heat in, light the fireplace and or turn on the electric heater and drape myself with a warm afghan. A cup of tea or hot cocoa helps.

**FrugalMomof3** · 10-18-2006, 02:42 PM

Wow according to that Energy analysis, I am 10 out of 10, 100% of US residents use more electric than me! I dont know how that is possible but I still want to get my bill down even more.