Read this to save more money of electricity

[Dancing Lotus]

I thought you might all like some tips to help with our electric reduction challenge.

Things you can do Today:

1.Reset your hot water heater to 120. Most people have theres at 140 when 120 is fine. How often do you ever really use your hot water at full blast? I don't I almost always mix my hot and cold.

2. Clean your air conditioners filter. Not only is it good for your air quality but a clean filter helps your air conditioner run more efficiently. It can use as much as 5% more energy if your filter is dirty then it will it is is clean.

3. Mose sure your fridge is set to 37 degrees and the Freezer is at 3 degrees. Your refrigerator accounts for 20% of your electric use.

4. Don't use the drying cycle on your dishwasher. This can save you as much as 20% of your dishwashers electrical use.


Things to do when its time:
1. Buy energy efficient appliances. The new energy star appliances use 2 to 10 times less electricity then older models..

2. Buy a tank less hot water heater or look into solar heat.

3. Buy a lap top next time. Did you know that a lap top uses 5 times less energy then a desk top?

4.CFL light bulbs last 8 times longer and use 4 times less energy.

5. Use a water saving shower head. They use half the water.




please add to this list if you have any great tips.

[Sonnenwende]

I agree with updating your appliances. I have a water misering front loader from Bosch. It is fantastic compared to my mother's top loading Whirlpool in terms of water useage and performance. It also needs much less detergent to clean with. My washer also does a fantastic job with the spin cycle so the dryer (a good energy efficent Miele) doesn't have to do much at all to dry. Most dry cycles are 45 minutes or less. My mother's Whirlpool dryer can sometimes take 2 or more hours to dry a single load of towels.

I love my washer and dryer! They were also really cheap. We got them off of eBay as floor models for $600 for both of them together! Never used before, run fantastic. Though, I might add, the Bosch model we have is a bit on the small side for most families. It is OK for just the three of us, but I think most larger families would want something bigger than our Axxis. Maybe a Nexxt. The dryer, Techtronic, I think, is a good standard size.

Oh and if you are looking for cheaper CFL bulbs, try eBay. We just got a good deal on some globe CFLs today from there!

[Jskell911]

They also sell insulating Hot Water Heater covers. These help to keep the energy inside so none is lost to the surrounding air

[Dancing Lotus]

I need to get one of the wraps. Do you think some old blanks would work?

[Sonnenwende]

If you have a newer hot water heater, you may not need one. To see, just touch your hot water heater. If it feels warmer than the ambient temperature, then go ahead and get a blanket. If not or it feels actually colder, then there is no point. The heater is insulated enough and it may be actually counter-productive to add more insulation. I found that the latter was the case with my heater that was new in 2004.

[joyofsix]

Well, I guess it's good that we're doing those things (minus the tankless water heater, got a new regular one last fall) but it leaves me with sitting in the dark as the only answer left, KWIM?

[PrairieRose]

I need to get one of the wraps. Do you think some old blanks would work?

I'm pretty sure they would be a fire risk. You need to buy the special made hot water heater blanket......sorry, but it will save you money in the long run.

[thriftstorequeen]

We put a timer on our water heater and that is saving us and working out fine. I also unplug everything I can when not in use. We also changed over to energy saving light bulbs.

[Dancing Lotus]

I'm pretty sure they would be a fire risk. You need to buy the special made hot water heater blanket......sorry, but it will save you money in the long run.

Thats kinda what I was thinking. NOT worth a fire.

[shoiji]

I finally bought some emergency blankets. Will be hanging them in the windows. They are supposed to work the same as the films you put on windows only they are much cheaper. I have white blinds so the blankets won't look bad from the outside. I am hoping this will help to keep the place cooler this summer.

[mem68]

. I have used a hot water heater timer for 30 years. I heat for 2 hrs/day and it keeps it hot enough for me and my son to bath and wash dishes.I bought it at Lowesfor $20 and had an electrician hook it up.

[BlessedMomof2]

Thanks for the tip. We bought all new appliances in the last year or two and have noticed a serious decrease in our electric bills.

[acidcookie]

. I have used a hot water heater timer for 30 years. I heat for 2 hrs/day and it keeps it hot enough for me and my son to bath and wash dishes.I bought it at Lowesfor $20 and had an electrician hook it up.

When I move in with my fiance this summer I want to do this. He actually bought a tankless water heater, but the hookups in his condo were too old or not right or something. They could have been rigged, but it wouldn't have been set up right so it didn't seem worth messing something up. Just a heads up that not everyone's house might even be equipped for a tankless.

[Dad_of_4]

The thing about setting your hot water heater to 120 degrees depends on how your usage is spread out. We have two high demand times first thing in the morning and from 5 till 7 PM. We only have a 50gal tank. So, in the evening with doing dishes and giving the kids (4 of them) baths, we would run out of water at 120 degrees. I'm thinking we may be able to offset this with a timer. Have it come on for a couple hours in the morning and agian in the late afternoon. I want to go tankless, but it is just not in the budget right now.