Energy costs...

[Lisa0825]

I have a 1200 sq foot home. It's got rickety windows, old insulation, old appliances, and old wiring. But still, I have a hard time understanding how I use $100 of electricity per month during months when I have not used AC or heat at all. The only things left running are the water heater (brand new), the refrigerator (10 years old), a few lamps/lights, and a clock radio. The TV on is usually on when I am home and awake. I wash/dry clothes only a couple times a month since I live alone. The only thing I feel I use a bit wastefully is the lights because I like to leave a light or two on when I am gone and at night. Could this rather minimal usage really add up to $100 a month? Could the old refrigerator be driving up my bill much? I looked online, and saw that I could save "$45 a YEAR" with a new energy efficient model, so it doesn't sound like that would make much difference.

I know I shouldn't be complaining, because others have it much worse than me. I just don't see where I could do much to lower my costs. I'm becoming concerned because I am having central air/heat installed (along with putting in new windows and insulation), and I am nervous about how much my bills will go up if I actually use it!:scared:

[Lars39]

1. All of that adds up. I'd stay away from gas heat if you have a choice.

I'd try insulating the window, switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs, getting a wooden clothes dryer, wrapping the hot water pipes and water heater, maybe using a timer for the lights, and having a programmable thermostat installed. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure others will chime in here soon with suggestion, too, to help you. :)

We've got an old refrigerator and stove that are kicking our bills up a bit. And when I say old, I mean from the '80's. :silly:
We're renting, yet we're debating on whether it would pay us to buy our own energy efficient appliances. :shaking head:

Are you in something like a brick ranch? The previous owner had replacement windows, insulation and a new electric central H/A unit put in. It doesn't take much at all now to heat the house 'cause it is "tight".

[politicat]

2. Unplug, unplug, unplug.

If you're not using it, unplug it. That trickle on power eats up a lot of watts. Around here, the only things plugged in during the day are the freezer and the refrigerator (and whatever I'm using, be it treadmill or computer or whatever.)

Get an inline electric meter and figure out what you're actually using (we have one that I can't find online; here's a similar one: http://www.itworks.com/wattsup.htm) Most of them allow you to input the cost per kilowatt and do the math for you.

Count your lucky stars that $100 is all you're using.

[muttcats]

12. Everything?

Does this go for everything - the toaster, the coffee maker, etc., even if they are not something with the standby thingie or whatever you call it?

Also, would just shutting off the power at the power strip do the trick for computer equipment or would I need to actually unplug the power strip?

[LiberalEsto]

3. How about your computer?

Does it have an energy-saving "hibernate" mode? Or can you turn it off except when you're actually using it?

[Lisa0825]

4. Thanks y'all....

Lars39: I am just switching over to all electric from having gas heat and hot water, because my gas lines are very old and need repair, so the plumber recommended making the switch since I needed the new appliances anyway, and I was already planning on the rewiring, so handling more electrical appliances wouldn't be a problem. The timer is a good idea for the lights. My house was burglarized a few years back, and ever since then, I hate to leave all the lights off at night, but having them switch off would be a good thing.

I live in a ranch style house with aluminum siding. I am hoping to get new siding soon and put in new insulation at that time, and I will be putting in some more i nthe attic myself. But that hasn't been part of the issue right now, because the weather is so mild, that I haven't used heat or AC at all in 2 months, yet the bill won't go down any lower. But I definitely plan to make energy saving changes to prepare for having air conditioning on this summer.

politicat: I didn't realize that just leaving things plugged in sapped energy! I only use about half the space in my house! I'm going to go home tonight and unplug everything I don't constantly use! and I do think I'll look for one of those meters so I can investigate this further. Thanks!:-)

LiberalEsto: I just bought a laptop last month, and I take it with me a lot, so it doesn't stay on, and it only goes on for a little while, since I don't yet have internet access at home. So, most of the time, I do leave it off.

Thanks for the tips everyone!:-)

[LiberalEsto]

5. Check the frugal living discussion group

here on DU
They have lots of good tips

[Lisa0825]

6. Is there another one besides this one? nt

[NMDemDist2]

7. I think they meant the Economic Living Group (some good articles there too

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=255

[Lars39]

8. Another thing you might want to look into is insulation for electrical

outlet boxes. It's a type of shaped foam that you can put in the outlet boxes on your outer walls. Cruise the weatherproofing aisle at a hardware store to see if anything would work for your house.

I've got a window I put bubble wrap on a while back. I think it's made a difference.
You might want to go around your house and make sure the vents are closed.
We had a cat once that could open/close one by scratching her back. :D

I always like these types of threads. I always learn something new, like that thing politicat posted. :)

[WolverineDG]

9. switch to fluorescent bulbs

they're a bit more expensive than regular bulbs, but last longer & don't use as much energy. that should cut back on your bill if you feel safer with a few lights on during the night.

dg

[Digit]

10. This will be long, but it has a twist at the end

I had what I felt were unusually high electric bills, as compared to my neighbor.
This is what I had (at that time in 1998):
2040 sf house with two people, home built in 1971
GAS dryer
New refrigerator, with top freezer, not very large
NO Freezer
Two year old Carrier air conditioner, 12 seer
Triple pane windows all around, low E, argon gas filled (new)
I had also added insulation to the attic, and made sure pipes were wrapped

They had:
1850 sf house with three people, built at same time
Electric dryer 16 years old
Side by side fridge with water/ice in door
OLD freezer located in un-conditioned space
Original windows with storms
Original air conditioner...dating to 1971

We both had the same heating system (gas) installed at the same time and also gas water heaters.

It drove me crazy. Here I had a BRAND NEW air conditioner, 12 SEER, and my bills were STILL much higher. Thank goodness they were cooperative and would share what their bills were.
It took 4 electricians to find the problem. They all felt I was a crackpot and could not compare "apples and oranges".
Come to find out, I had a corroded ground wire in my electric box. The way it was explained to me, was that when I used any electricity, it magnified that useage.
Anyway, it took care of the problem.

One more thing...make sure your refrigerator does not have bunches of dust and dirt underneath.

[Lisa0825]

11. Thanks!!!

I was wondering if something like that could happen. I just had a new electric service installed, and will be having rewiring done too. I wonder if I'll see any change in this month's bill?

I've also been trying to wean myself off of keeping lights on, and I went around unplugging things I don't use often too.

I can't move the fridge by myself, and I need to check the coils. Hopefully I can get someone to help me with that soon.

[LiberalEsto]

13. Refrigerators are the biggest home energy guzzlers after a/c

and heating units.

It might be worth it do some research and invest in a new refrigerator. One way to save on the cost is to find a dealer who sells "scratch and dent" appliances that have a cosmetic scratch or two, but work just fine. The Salvation Army hauls away old working refrigerators in some areas.

Also, check and make sure all the vinyl gaskets on your refrigerator doors are intact. A small rip can make the fridge work harder to keep things cool.