Help with electric bill

**3tomboys** · 07-23-2008, 10:55 PM

I'm not sure if this is the right spot but I need suggestions. My electric bill came in the mail today it was $307.00 for 1 month,double from last month. I do live in the desert but this is ridiculous! I know that a lot of this is from the ac and dh does like it cool (ac is set set at 76) but I am missing something else here that is helping the rising $$$ on the bill. I've heard that chargers for cell phones and things drain the electric when left plugged in and not charging things, is this true? Thanks in advance for any suggestions, I'm game to try just about anything.

**Texasgirl** · 07-23-2008, 11:05 PM

Our electric company had a rate increase that started last month.
Our electric bill had a increase of over $100.00.
To cut our usage I line dry our clothes.
Wash in cold water.
Thermostat for the a/c is set at 80. We have ceiling fans in all the rooms.
Curtains and blinds stay shut during the day opened in the evenings.

**cheriede** · 07-23-2008, 11:08 PM

I had our electric come out to our house to do an energy audit. They went around my house, climbed up in the attic, check the appliances, etc. for about an hour. He sat down with us and went over some of the big things that we needed to do to make our house more energy efficient. We ended up doing several of the items that were discussed and our electric bill has dropped.

You may want to check to see if your electric company will come out and do an audit on you house. They would be able to give you some specifics for your house. These are usually a free services too.

**suzysaver** · 07-24-2008, 01:38 AM

The phantom drain, unplug everything that your not using. If possible could you just use ac in the bedroom and keep door closed? Just so you both had a nice comfortable place to escape and sleep. I have gone as far as turning breakers off when I go to work, just remember to leave the refridgerator, freezer, and water heater on

You might want to place t.v. and all components on a surge protector strip, when you go to bed at night just switch it off. Unplug all chargers when done using. Unplug all those counter appliances in the kitchen, I also have these on a power strip and just hit the button when I need to use something and don't forget to turn it off when your done.
Wash in cold and line dry clothes
Shorter showers or cool ones
only run washer and dishwasher when you have a full load

I hope this helps, and good luck.

**dancar3** · 07-24-2008, 10:05 AM

Yes you will be amazed at how much money you save line drying your clothes! I have been doing this for only 2 weeks now and I can't believe we hadn't done this so much sooner. We also don't use heat dry for the dishwasher but use air dry instead. I don't know what you keep you thermastat at but even upping a degree or 2 and that will save money too. Some of the suggestions can be a little inconvenient but they are the best ways to lower your electric bill, good luck!

**Sundae** · 07-24-2008, 10:23 AM

I just read somewhere in the last month that electrical things just being plugged in is where 40% of there energy is used??? So maybe keeping things unpluged is the way to go.

**freebs** · 07-24-2008, 10:34 AM

Mine also went up $100, i line dry, heavy blankets on windows, things unplugged, turning lights off, took light bulbs outta lights so they cant be used, now i do have my ac set at 75. but i have done everything i can do and it still went up $100 i have heard talk about more price increases!

**LexTysMommy** · 07-24-2008, 10:38 AM

Can you set ac for higher like start one degree at a time. That could really help and slowly to get used too? Turn off when leave, turn up when go to bed. Keep blinds shut. etc

I think washing clothes/dishwasher/dryer etc at nite so not to heat house. Cook early in morning if you can or batches of meals at a time. crock pot meals, etc.

unplug anything and everything you will find big difference. I turned hot water heater down in summer months, as i dont need quite as hot shower, and it still get hot just not scalding.

days its super hot turn off ac, shut blinds, head out to library, park, museum when get home house will still be cooler then outside and then turn on ac.
good luck!

**3tomboys** · 07-24-2008, 01:26 PM

Thanks so much for all of these suggestions. I will be putting a lot of them to use. Will need to pull the drying rack out of hiding. I also will be calling the electric company about coming out. DH and I have already discussed the thermostat going up a few degrees. I have been reluctant to learn how to use it, it's programable and I have a tendency to leave that stuff to him. Thanks again for all of your suggestions!

**xtena** · 07-24-2008, 02:34 PM

Hi 3tomboys...I'm waving to you from across the valley (North Las Vegas).

We had one of those shocker 300+ bills last July or August. Aside from the excellent ideas above, I highly recommend that you start saving some money and install the solar screens if you are in your own home and if the HOA allows it. We finally got ours up late last summer are seeing significant savings this year. The screens also helps keep the gas/heating bills down in the winter and I like the added element of privacy. It's a bit of an initial investment but I believe they will pay off in a couple of years.

You might also check with Nevada Power, they might have one of those deals going where they add a controller to your A/C and you allow them to shut it off periodically through the day in return for a discount on your electric bill. Supposedly you don't notice when it goes off, because it's only for 15 minutes or so at a time x number of times a day. We haven't tried it, but I think someone else on this board had posted about this kind of deal a few days or weeks back.