Reduction in the Electric Bill

**druthb00** · 05-21-2010, 02:03 PM

We've reduced ours quite a bit by switching to those new energy efficient light bulbs. I got a 4-pack of 100 watt equivalent (I think they're 23 watt) for $4 at lowes last winter, and my parents got us a 4-pack of 60 watt eqivalents as a stocking-stuffer this Xmas before we moved

They really do help.

I also got a shower head that only uses 1.6 gpm and on top of that, I got a volume control valve (just a ball valve) from work before we left. I haven't measured how much it cuts off from the 1.6 but I'd say we're down to 1.25 gmp or so. If you get one of the shower heads that restricts flow but not pressure, you'll never notice the difference IMO. Having to heat less water helps your bill, too.

**Grainlady** · 05-22-2010, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by druthb00

We've reduced ours quite a bit by switching to those new energy efficient light bulbs. I got a 4-pack of 100 watt equivalent (I think they're 23 watt) for $4 at lowes last winter, and my parents got us a 4-pack of 60 watt eqivalents as a stocking-stuffer this Xmas before we moved

They really do help.

I also got a shower head that only uses 1.6 gpm and on top of that, I got a volume control valve (just a ball valve) from work before we left. I haven't measured how much it cuts off from the 1.6 but I'd say we're down to 1.25 gmp or so. If you get one of the shower heads that restricts flow but not pressure, you'll never notice the difference IMO. Having to heat less water helps your bill, too.

When your compact florescent light bulbs start to go out, consider replacing them with LED lights for even MORE savings. While CFL use about 25% of the electricity of an incandescent light, LED's use about 2%. LED lights last 10-times longer than their CFL alternative. LED lights can last 15-years.

You also don't have to wait for LED lights to warm up like you do CFL. Eliminate that warm pink glow.... I have a 2.5 watt LED can/pot light over my desk and love it.

In bathrooms where there's a lot of "in-and-out" traffic and the lights get turned on and off a lot, CFLs don't last very long. They work best when they are on for longer periods of time. In our bathroom we've put an LED light in the can/pot light and in the 6 lights over the vanity we have 4 LED lights and 2 CFL. The CFL give off a little more light than the LEDs. LED lights will also be better than CFL in a child's room or a lamp where a bulb could accidently be broken. CFL have mercury in them, while LED lights DON'T.

LED lights are getting better each year, and the price is also going down. In 5-years I bet I won't have ANY CFL in our house, only LED. I have found a large, and affordable, selection of them at Sam's Club.

**many houseapes** · 05-24-2010, 03:53 PM

Wow. Now I am really convinced that dh & I have to get a more efficient computer.We've have the same one for years.

**beks37** · 06-03-2010, 12:15 PM

I checked the electric companies website and our usage is still down! It was 410 kwh for this month. The air-conditioning was even on for 4 days. So, that is STILL down from the average of being in the 550 kwh range with no air-conditioning.

I am below last years usage for the same period by 121 kwh.
This May: 410 kwh
Last May: 531 kwh

We are also switching all lights in the house to CFL's. I'll have look into the LED's to see how much those are. The CFL's have sure come down in price and are even available in generic brands.

This whole thing will make me think twice about older appliances or electronics!