Conserving Energy Works!

**dogmatix** · 03-08-2009, 09:27 AM

Well FV'ers thanks to your tips my Heat/Hot water/Electricity COMBINED went from $150/ month to $90/month. WooHooo! Thanks guys

**sabrelvssammy** · 03-08-2009, 10:32 AM

woohoo......way to go.....keep up the good work....! i'm still waiting for my bill to come in to see how well we have done....(and to rub in dh's face...) haha.....

**TheMartianChick** · 03-08-2009, 10:37 AM

Wow! That is a wonderful savings! So...what did you do to accomplish this?

**redeme** · 03-08-2009, 10:40 AM

Wow! That's a big decrease! Congratulations!

Now, I'm going to have to be inspired and find the threads and cut back our usage.

**annymoll** · 03-08-2009, 10:49 AM

Wow! That is really something to hear about.Keeps me motivated!

**sabrelvssammy** · 03-08-2009, 11:10 AM

hey martian chick- check out the threads about 3-4 weeks ago when we were all throwing in tips on how to cut the usage....#1 tip- POWERSTRIPS!
check out my thread 'i'm taking down the tent'....i listed a bunch of stuff that i learned.... good luck!

**dogmatix** · 03-08-2009, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by TheMartianChick

Wow! That is a wonderful savings! So...what did you do to accomplish this?

Well I don't use power strips because DH is funny about the computer. Here's what I did.

1. Thermostat on 67.
2. Freecycled my coffee maker. I have a press pot which uses no energy.
3. Asked for and received an electric kettle for boiling water (Birthday gift)- no more tea kettle.

4. Wash all clothes in cold.
5. Bring pots to boil while covered then turn the heat down to low to cook through.
6. Turn off the lights when leaving the room.
7. Hang out clothes even when it's coooold outside.
8. Hang clothes inside in small batches when it's rainy
9. Turn off oven for last 5 minutes of cook time.
10. Switched most of lights in house to CFU
11. Freezer is full so cycles less.
12. Fireplace at night with ceiling fan running in reverse to push hot air downward.
13. Try to use crock pot for meals when applicable.
14. Turned down the hot water heater from 140F to 120F.

I think that's it.
Really the dryer, the cold in the washer, and the thermostat are probably the biggest things. All small changes but they really added up!

**shoiji** · 03-08-2009, 12:51 PM

That is a huge savings! It does feel great to know you can really lower your utility bill.

**sabrelvssammy** · 03-08-2009, 01:15 PM

dogmatrix..... what's a press pot ???

**Marie78** · 03-08-2009, 01:26 PM

We live in an apartment and I had a friend (who lives in a smaller apt. ask me what I pay for electric each month). Both of us rent apartments where heat and water are included so we only pay electric. When I told her around $38 in the winter and a little more in the summer she looked shocked! She asked me how I do it, and I went through a list of things we do to save on electric. I think she was so impressed she will try some of these things out herself. Our biggest two money savers are turning of lights/appliance when not in use and unplugging the power strips when appliances are not in use.

**Trishagirl** · 03-08-2009, 02:01 PM

hope your dh is proud of you!!! Keep up the good work!!!

**dogmatix** · 03-08-2009, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by sabrelvssammy

dogmatrix..... what's a press pot ???

Also called a French Press.

Here's a link to one. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/French-Press-Coffee-Pot-Eileen/dp/B000NTTC1G/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1236535210&sr=8-4"]French Press Pot[/ame] (It's fancier than the one I have. I got mine at Target - it was maybe $18.00)

They make the best coffee and even espresso.

**sabrelvssammy** · 03-08-2009, 02:26 PM

okay...i guess i am an idiot....if there is no electricity to it how does the coffee get warm ????

**Debbie-cat** · 03-08-2009, 02:43 PM

That's a great reduction!! Good for you!!

**mrsfoamy** · 03-08-2009, 02:46 PM

I can't hang my clothes out because of allergies.
My mom did, when I was a kid and I remember waking up with my eyes crusted shut during pine pollen season.