Our Power Bill is Up, Any Suggestions on How to Lower Our Electrical Usage?

Question

Keep in mind I have three kids that can never seems to turn off the lights so any tips on getting them to understand how imporant it is, is also welcomed.

Answer 1

We've installed the low energy fluorescent lights and our bill went down slightly. At work they installed a motion detector switch in the restroom which would work in any room except the bedrooms... unless you have free-roaming pets! Look, too, at other electricity hogs: electronic games that are always turned on, heat lamps for exotic pets, etc.
And gentle reminders -- constant reminders -- for the kids. Remember it takes between 21 and 30 days to break a habit. Just doing it a day or so doesn't make the change permanent.
Good luck.


I GOT CALLED AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER before I could mention a couple of other energy savers. Don't automatically set your washer to wash the longest amount of time and the highest amount of water. If a load isn't filthy (such as towels), then a four minute wash is more efficient than a sixteen minute wash. Shake your clothes out before putting them in the dryer. Cloth that is in a ball doesn't dry as quickly as loosely loaded items. Check loads that have large sheets, etc. midway through to make sure they haven't rolled into balls. The middle won't dry quickly. Don't over-dry loads in the dryer: another energy hog. Make sure your freezer is full (gallons of water will fill it if necessary) and air can circulate freely through your refrigerator. Lights aren't the energy hogs that the appliances are!
Again, good luck.

Answer 2

Many gas agencies will help you placed up a point billing account, the place your expected gas intake is professional-rated by the twelve months. You pay the comparable volume each month. it somewhat is extra costly interior the summertime, of direction, yet you're spared the astronomical iciness costs. on the top of the billing twelve months, you the two pay up extra or get a credit for the subsequent twelve months. in case you do no longer suggestions slumbering in cooler air decrease than heat blankets, you will possibly be able to alter the warmth bypass the bedrooms. seem close to the furnace for the pipes best to the bedrooms. many times there's a flapper valve interior the pipe which could be adjusted from the exterior to minimize the bypass of warmth air. This in many situations works extra suitable than final off registers interior the rooms, in spite of the undeniable fact that from time to time this is the only different selection. In our residing house the bedrooms are upstairs, and heat air needless to say flows upward. while the mattress room doors are open throughout the time of the day, they're heat sufficient. The furnace is often the two ON or OFF. The thermostat determines while it switches. If extra of the warmth is directed to the main residing aspects, the thermostat won't would desire to tutor the furnace on lots. because of the fact the home is a condominium, it somewhat is probable no longer somewhat worth it which you will place in a timer thermostat yourselves, yet once you you will desire to tutor down the warmth via some levels at nighttime, say to sixty seven° F. you could save a splash extra. it somewhat is asserted that working the water heater at a cooler putting can save a splash, too. we don't difficulty with that ourselves. We discern that the warmth temperature from the water heater enables save the basement drier and extra gentle in our cool, damp climate.

Answer 3

Keep the thermostat set as close to 10 degrees of the outside temp as you can stand.no higher than 68 in winter.
switch to those new light bulbs that are energy efficient-they look funny (swirled) but work.26w replaces 100w.
expensive but well worth it. Might save the kids!
Its the big,quiet things you don't turn off & on that cost, so
make sure your freezer is packed-freeze bread loaves to help. Uses less. Refridgerator-just the opposite. Throw out anything with just a dab left-waste of money.Weatherstrip, weatherstrip! If you have a central heater, change filter the same day you get your electric bill-that way you won't forget.If hot water heater is electric,make sure to set at 120 degrees-no higher.
Remember-the microwave costs far less than your oven!
Organize dish and clothes washing to do as few loads as you can. Dryer-keep filter clean. Wash clothes on cold .
If you notice your bill in spring-with no heat or AC on it, that will tell you how low you can go.Make it a game & involve whole family-you can do a lot better!

Answer 4

As others have said replace your incandescent lights with compact fluorescent bulbs. Also adjust your hot water heater to 120 degees.Keep the heat set at 68 or lower and the a/c set at 78 or higher. Wash your laundry in cold water and do it all in one day. This way when the dryer is in use it does not have to heat up for each individual load bur can piggy-back on the precvious loads heat energy. We have done \these things and are using the same kilo-watts as two years ago even though we have added a hot tub.

Answer 5

You may also wish to winterize by putting plastic around all the windows to seal out the cold. You can find kits at any hardware store. Caulk around the windows also, put an insulation wrap around your hot water heater so the temperature stays hot longer, check hot water pipes for leaks and fix them if you find any. Washing your clothes in cold water also helps and it is not necessary to use hot water for whites. Germs cannot withstand cold temperatures either and bleach will kill what germs are not killed from the cold water. Use a color safe bleach for color clothes. Use washers, dryers and dishwashers in the evening hours instead of peak time hours during the day.

Answer 6

You can get bulbs with less wattage,but just as much light. I don't know the name of them but, we use them. They look like a coil. If you catch a child leaving a room with out turning the lights off, make him/her go back and turn it off. If this continues, make him/her sit in the dark for a minute for each year of age. Is your hot water tank electric, if so turn it down. Is your fridge. electric, try to turn it down. Try to cut down on laundry. Unplug any clocks you don't use. Hope some of this helps. Good luck.

Answer 7

Use Flourescent replacement bulbs where you can.
They make an amazing difference I didn't expect.
And you don't ahve to change them as often either.

Answer 8

say,okay then,ill just turn off your whatever video game system.thjey will get the message.lol.