Any suggestions for being more energy-efficient in our home?

Question

Our last power bill was almost $400! Our house isn't even that big...

Answer 1

Run ceiling fans and/or open windows instead of running A/C; works best in springtime.

I've been told unplugging unused appliances helps; I've noticed no astronomical change by doing so, but if there is ever a power surge or something of that sort, it lowers your fire risk so I continue doing it for that reason. There is still power going through the power cord, even if the appliance is turned off and not in use.

Set your thermostat a few degrees higher in summer, and a few degrees lower in winter; DO NOT turn your thermostat down on "extreme" temperature days, cold or hot; you'll burn more energy to get it back to the temperature you want when you come back home. This is also the reason you never turn it OFF.

Lastly, call your electric company to see what exactly your contract entails. I just got billed "average bill pay" with mine, based on my "average billing cycle" price. Which means if my electricity usage greatly decreases one month, but my energy usage based on the last 3 months was greater than usual, I pay that average price. Sure, it can save you money too, but I found it to not be worth it. See if there's a better rate, or a better plan you can try.

Answer 2

Yeah, I got a $550 electric bill for my holiday light display and thought that was outrageous. But, it really hasn't gone down that much since then. I went on our electric company's website and took a look at how much it costs to run certain appliances. Like the computer, leaving it up when I'm not using it is 80 cents an hour where I live. Guess what, not doing that any more. Leaving the TV on in rooms where the dogs are the only ones watching it, 60 cents an hour. Sorry poochies, no more Animal Planet for you. Oh, yeah and that cable box that you forget to turn off with the TV, that hits you up for 30 cents an hour. Lights that are incandescent cost 3 cents an hour vs compact flourescent 13-18 watts that are 1/2 cent per hour. I'm running little space heaters at 38 cents an hour to save on my central heat (natural gas with electric forced air fan) at $1.09 an hour. Check to see if your electric company has an energy cost calculator. You will be surprised at what habits you will change. (My bill this month has yet to come, so I don't know how much I saved yet.)

Answer 3

One of the things I did was replace all incandescent lights with the new compact fluorescent. They use 1/3 the power for the same amount of lighting plus during the summer I don't have the additional heat from the lamps so I also save on cooling cost.

Answer 4

The best option for energy harvesting in a home is to use a device known as "energy economizer" it transforms the reactive power the electrical meter of our houses don't register to active power for practical use and so the energy costs go to zero and 100% of saving energy

Here is one of that devices


http://www.gratisweb.com/econo/Eng/Ecoe.htm



Bye

Answer 5

what i could do is get a wind technology unit, some batteries, and an inverter. Mathmatically determine up your voltage which you may desire to warmth each and each room. in case you have adequate batteries to be charged for the activity,then the inverters will turn 12volts into a hundred and ten actual adequate to have warmth in each room. which you ought to to hook up a regulator to maintain the batteries from being over charged. this could fee you initially yet, you will in no way ought to difficulty a pair of heating bill.. you additionally can upload some image voltaic pannels into the device besides.

Answer 6

use only long life flourescent bulbs - never the old filament style.

switch off AND unplug all unused appliances - particularly t.v.'s; dvd's; video recorders; mobile phone chargers etc. as they will still consume electicity whilst plugged in.

heat only as much water in a kettle as you immediately need and try not to use electricity to dry clothes; heat water and room areas as this gobbles up the power.

switch off any unused lights, unless necessary for security and health and safety.

Answer 7

its obvious, but turn off your appliances when not using them, like your tv, lights, ect. also, turn off your computer when not in use or put it on suspend (suspend can be dangerous...beware.) set your heat in your home to about 64, but leave it there instead of turning it up and down and just dress in layers. this should put your energy bill way down. good luck!! :)

Answer 8

compact flourescent bulbs is one way ,insulate water tank ,walls and attic.in rooms where you forget to shut lights off install a timer switch $3.00 at home depot,