I moved into a rental house in Houston, TX at the beginning of this year and my last electric bill was almost $800. I fully expect my September/October bills to go over $1000. I may be living here for an additional year so I am looking to do something to increase the energy efficiency of the house. Since I'm renting it doesn't make financial sense to get a more efficient air conditioner, insulation, radiant barrier, or better windows. Just to give you some details on the house: It's two stories, around 3400 sq ft., has two air conditioners (one for the upstairs and one for the downstairs). My wife is pregnant so unless I want to get stabbed in the throat with a screwdriver turning the air up is not an option. Any ideas on some things I can do to lower my electric bill that will be cost effective considering the amount of time that I am going to be living here?
2007-08-04 08:21:47 · 4 answers · asked by Scott H 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
I should mention that I don't mind speding money on an efficiency upgrade as long I can get my money back in savings.
2007-08-05 05:24:17 · update #1
* Try to live on one floor, so you just have to run one A/C.
* Turn the temperature on the hot water heater down (if electric).
* If you have electric heat, try to live in one part of the house when the heat is on.
* Switch your light bulbs to those nice compact fluorescent bulbs. They save a little bit of energy and make the house brighter. You can often find them on sale from many places.
* Use blinds/curtains to help you control the temperature in the house during the day. If you let the daylight in, it will heat the house up. Dark house through the day = easier to cool.
* Ceiling fans/regular fans help make rooms feel cooler, so you could try turning the A/C down a little bit and still feel as comfortable.
* If your windows are drafty, shrink wrap plastic window sealing kits might help. They are fairly easy to install, can be removed easily, and are pretty inexpensive.
I hope this helps.
2007-08-04 08:56:16 · answer #1 · answered by James S 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Large home but that is none of my concern. Simple things like turning lights off in a room when you are not there, replace light bulbs with he new energy efficient ones, Since heat rises set your A/C at 72. When there are cool nights open the windows and let a fan blow in cool air, in the morning shut the windows, and the shades so the sun is not heating the house. Open the attic windows to let the heat escape from the house.
2007-08-04 17:48:08 · answer #2 · answered by Pengy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your electric Co, and ask them the same question, they definitely could give you some answers. For the winter Buy thermal Drapes, That really helps with drafts, from the windows. Check and see if you can lower your refrigerator, Don't do small loads of wash, you waste water and electric doing that. If you have a microwave, heat all your vegetables in there instead of using the stove. In the summer, keep you shades down to filter the sun,
2007-08-10 01:33:34 · answer #3 · answered by lennie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with everything James S said. Having a 3400 sq. ft. house for two people was your first mistake.
2007-08-04 16:26:36 · answer #4 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋