We cut our electricity useage 40%

[CarrieMF]

May & June we used 1100kwh each month. We live in a 1242sq ft 1974 trailer plus we have a basement. There were 3 adults, 3 kids.

July 17th our border moved out. He took with him his big tv, stereo, lights that were ALWAYS on, even when he wasn't here, his microwave & toaster oven that were always plugged in.

July 23rdish our 20year old horrible dryer that took 1 1/2hours to dry anything stopped producing heat so we stopped using it. We did not get another dryer until August 6th.

The electric bill arrived, it is from July 11 - Aug 10. Our kwh dropped to 660, our bill went down almost $50. I was surprised it went down that much.

The dryer we have is a brand new one that only takes 30 minutes to dry. towels or jeans are 45min tops. So it will go up, but not that much. Once it's paid off we're replacing our horrible 20+yo fridge.

[~MoonGypsy~]

Congrats! It's funny how halving your usage only kills $50 though. Well, unless it was only $100 to begin with - in that case, I'm super jealous.

[brogansmomma]

That's awesome!!

[Juvysen]

Whoa! I know our bill dropped like $20/month when we switched over to the flourecent bulbs in all our "usual" lamps. I couldn't believe the difference it makes. I keep trying to talk DH into replacing our really old fridge with an energy star model, but he's resistant to spending that much money at one time. Great - so we'll just spend it over the course of every couple years *eyeroll*

[CarrieMF]

Originally Posted by ~MoonGypsy~

Congrats! It's funny how halving your usage only kills $50 though. Well, unless it was only $100 to begin with - in that case, I'm super jealous.

I wish. Our total this month was still $142.

I keep trying to talk DH into replacing our really old fridge with an energy star model, but he's resistant to spending that much money at one time.

Where our fridge goes we can only put in a smaller model so a new fridge is only going to be $600 here.

[annethcz]

Congrats on dropping your usage! I've been trying to cut down here, and it's harder than I thought it would be.

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by annethcz

Congrats on dropping your usage! I've been trying to cut down here, and it's harder than I thought it would be.

:!

[bc1995]

Congrats!

We cut ours over 50% recently by switching lightbulbs, using the dryer much less, turning the thermostat up, and paying more attention to turning stuff off. It is a great feeling, isn't it!

[averysmomma05]

congrats i'm hoping to getting our bill down this month!

[Tinas3muskateers]

I wish we could cut ours, any tips people? We just moved into a new house. 2400 SqFt. from a 1500 Sqft. Our bill was near or around 80 dollars at the old home, this house our bill went up 100 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The old house I didnt have a dishwasher, I do now. At the old house I didnt have a pool with a filter, I do now. Could those two things really make the difference?

[CarrieMF]

I think the pool would because of how long the filter runs for. Plus with a house that much bigger you have more lights, probably a bigger fridge, if you have A/C & are running it that will use more power to cool that much house off.

[Maggi315]

wow,congratulations! our bill is outrageous, it's 300/month over the summer. between the laundry, the air conditioning, everyone home all day using the computers, watching tv, lights, etc. it's crazy! My ultimate goal would be 100/month but I just don't see that happening! I'm open to ideas. We already using the special lightbulbs, only wash dishes one time per day, dont dry everything, have pretty new appliances, don't cook much in the oven.

what else makes a big difference?

[nascarbebe]

How exciting. This makes me want to look at our bill too, DH just pays that and the only time I hear about it is in the winter when it goes up. We've also switched mostly to the energy efficient flourecent bulbs, I've been handwashing our dishes every night instead of running the washer a couple of times a week and I've stopped leaving the tv on when I'm not watching it. I hope it pays off for us too.

[tallanvor]

If you have an electric dryer, start line drying your clothes. Even if you only line dry half the time it will cut the electricity. Don't use the heat dry on your dishwasher. Half the time it doesn't totally dry the dishes anyway. Limit the tv and use natural sunlight as much as possible. Don't use air conditioning unless it is just absolutely miserable outside. You can run fans all day for a lot cheaper than running the air conditioner. Also, I think the oven would actually take less electricity than the microwave, but am not positive on that one. If you have multiple computers, cut back to one and work out a schedule if you need to.

Crystal

[SweetAnn]

nice one! thanks

nice one! thanks

[dealic]

Originally Posted by tallanvor

If you have an electric dryer, start line drying your clothes. Even if you only line dry half the time it will cut the electricity. Don't use the heat dry on your dishwasher. Half the time it doesn't totally dry the dishes anyway. Limit the tv and use natural sunlight as much as possible. Don't use air conditioning unless it is just absolutely miserable outside. You can run fans all day for a lot cheaper than running the air conditioner. Also, I think the oven would actually take less electricity than the microwave, but am not positive on that one. If you have multiple computers, cut back to one and work out a schedule if you need to.

(bolding mine) Well, I was with you until there, but You can't have my computer!!! : I won't let you have it!!! (grumble grumble)...












: Can you tell I have an unhealthy attachment to it?