16 November 2011
We all are trying to pinch our pennies these days and I wanted to know how much I was spending on "normal" living in my home. I found that my electric bill was something that I wanted to trim down, if at all possible. I found that I can do a few things to reduce the costs if I only just thought about it while running around the home doing my "normal" things!
For example,
1) change the normal 75 watt bulbs to CFL bulbs. They cost more, but last longer and are big energy savers!
2) Run my dishwasher only when it is full. If at all possible, stop using my clothes dryer. Dryers are a convenience, not a necessity! While living in both the Middle East and Europe, I never used a dryer. My clothes lasted longer, did not "shrink" so I could not wear them anymore, and life was just fine without it.
4) I have always washed my clothing on cold except white sheets and T-shirts. Washing with cold saves a bunch!
5) Turn off the heater at night while sleeping! Electricity is very expensive in Europe, so I learned to do this a while back. Why have the heater warming your home all night long, it does not make any sense. You can bundle up inside of your warm blankets. The only downfall is that it is cold in the morning. I always have my sweat shirt next to my bed and sweat pants to put on as soon as I wake up. I turn on the heater, and by the time I have my tea, the house is warm enough to get ready for the day! This can add up from 6 to 9 hours of energy savings...depending on how long you sleep!
As for the costs, here is what I found:
45 minutes: 49 cents p/load
Top load: Washing Machines are about: 1.13 cents p/load (cold/cold/cold)
1,29 p/load (warm/cold)
Televisions: 5 hrs day/20c kwt = 2.44 p/mth (the old kind: TV, which consumes less energy than any of the new ones) The larger the screen, the more energy used.
42" LCD 5 hours/day/20 kwt = 6.39 p/mth
42" Plasma, 5 hours/day/20 kwtt = 8.22 p/mth
Lights: 4 bulbs/75 watt/7 hours day: 10 dollars p/month
CFL bulbs: 4 bulbs/75 watt/7 hours day: 2 dollars p/month
Refrigerators: Are the second largest usage of electricity in an average home:
Older models 1990: average of 13.50 p/mth
2004 models (energy savers, side by side): average of 5.40 p/mth
Dishwashers are about: 4.50 p/mth one cycle each day
Heating: Central heating is more expensive than space heaters or radiant heaters. Electric central heating is way more expensive than gas. It is not advised to close the vents to the rooms that you are not using, because this can damage the duct system and your heater.
It is advised to switch to radiant heat and heat only the rooms that you are using! (Pretend that you do not have forced air at all and switch) Radiant heat the temperature is more uniform in the room.
1) Heat only the rooms that you use
2) Turn your ceiling fans on low to circulate the warm air down. (heat rises)
3) put rugs on your bare floors
4) Dress warmer in your home
5) Turn off the heat at night! (Yes) (why use that energy, while you are warm in your blankets all night to be warm when you jump out of bed? You can turn on your radiant heater and get warm in a few minutes! Jump out turn it on, lay down and 5 minutes your room will be warm)
If you cannot change to radiant heat and must use forced heat: (those with radiant heat, can do this anyway!)
1) Seal your windows and doors buy door air blockers (the snake things) to put around your outside doors. You can check the leakage by using candles, if the flame flickers, block that warm air that you are using.
2) Cover your bare floors with rugs
3) Chalk windows and install weather stripping
4) Make sure that your ducts are not blocked.
5) close blinds and curtains at night
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