[noellebrow]

Originally Posted by Kmchamplin

Don't let your Dh load the dishwasher as he doesn't know how to load it properly.

I really thought this was only my DH!!!! I love this post!

[noellebrow]

I don't think anyone posted this.....lots of posts about cleaning lint from dryers, but don't forget to vacuum coils on the back of your fridge! and keep freezers full. Freezers run less if the mass of a full freezer keeps things cold. We refill water bottles (when the freezer isn't full from stockpiling ) and then if we ever need water for flushing toilets or that type of thing in an emergency we thaw a bottle of water.

[LaLax2]

Originally Posted by joshmamabear

DH and I are seriously considering installing solar panels. We are researching on it thoroughly and weighing the ROI if we decide to have them.

dont wait to long on that idea i heard that after 2009 they will no longer give a energy saver tax credit

[LaLax2]

Originally Posted by GrannyGodley

lalax2, I'm curious. Just how does running your dishwasher at night save on the water bill? Do you mean running it once a day, at the end of the day with that day's dishes? Or perhaps are you on an energy saving plan where the rate is lower in the evening? Actually, it will use the same amount of water no matter what time of the day.

i heard that the water rate is lower in the evening so its cheaper using the dishwasher at night

[isabelpak]

Originally Posted by QBMOM

This may not be an option for some, but replacing appliances that are 8 or more years old, will cut your bill dramatically!

I just saw an article that said that the Gov. will give rebates for that purpose.
You can read it here:
Refrigerators Pick Up Where Clunkers Left Off - For What It's Worth - Comcast.net

[MrsFuentes]

This is what we do in our home:

1. We unplug ALL appliances when they are not in use! The only exception is the Refredgerator!

2. Run the AC only when we(usually just me) can't take the heat anymore!

3. Take Cold or not soo hot showers. Although my dh tolerates the cold showers more than me!

4. We don't use plug in air fresherners, I only use the automatic ones that spray by themselves or use candles

5. Watch limited Tv-I'm not much of a tv person anyways, so it doesn't affect me too much.

I think that is it

[joshmamabear]

for those with central AC/heat, weigh it carefully before you turn it OFF because it takes more energy to cool/heat the whole house once you turn it off rather than just keeping it on thermostat. In the winter time, there is danger of busting the water pipes when it freezes so make sure to keep temperature under control. It may come out more expensive to replace busted pipes.

[MrsFuentes]

Yea, I have wonderered about that. But my dh, disagrees with me on that one! I can't seem to prove it to him that turning it off and on will use more energy than leaving it on!!!

[joshmamabear]

^^

it was me who thought we'd be saving money IF we turn it off when we go on vacation for 2 weeks or more BUT DH prevailed and it makes sense to me since we have very harsh winters here and busted pipes is a common occurence. Its not an IF but just a matter of time so it will cost us more to repair these busted pipes, not counting the inconvinience, which is priceless.

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by LaLax2

dont wait to long on that idea i heard that after 2009 they will no longer give a energy saver tax credit

it wasn't much of the tax credit we were looking at. after getting a quotation on how it much it will cost for our home which came up to $25K to $30K (they have jacked up the prices), we computed on how long it will take for us to break even. We'd rather do other energy saving measures for now.

[coastieswife2]

I am reading these posts and these are all really great ideas. I was getting 350$ electric bills in the winter, worst part was, I wasnt home. My husband and I left for 2.5 weeks in December to go back home for Xmas*we are military*. So we were not using hardly any power, i left the heat on at about 56degrees just so that the pipes in the house didnt freeze up..anyway. After the first HUGE bill in the winter,my hubby and i went into panic mode, No lights, No heat(yes,we went to the extreme and shut it off completely and let it get to about 45degrees in my house ***3 layers of clothing and blankets and candles is how we survived..) **I do NOT suggest it**...we put the heat on only to take the extreme chill off the house and then off the heat went again. STILL got a 250$ bill. Even with the heat off,and using candles for lighting. I was furious, we moved out of that house that we were renting,turns out..the Heating Filter had not been Changed in over 7 years (huge fire hazard)...Landlord blamed us,meanwhile we were only there for 10 months).

Moral of the overly long story, please please please make sure you change that filter every 3 months. It will save you SO much money! Trust me,I froze for 2 months because of a dirty filter! They are 3-4$ at Walmart!!

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by coastieswife2

Moral of the overly long story, please please please make sure you change that filter every 3 months. It will save you SO much money! Trust me,I froze for 2 months because of a dirty filter! They are 3-4$ at Walmart!!

^^ very true.

we change our filter every 90 days on the average (earlier depending on how dirty it is). I make sure to mark it on the calendar so we don't forget. It has kept our bills within reasonable rates.

[itsmeagain]

I had an energy person come once for an evaluation and they said only use ceiling fans when you are in the room, leaving them running when you are not there actually costs money. I also heard about the energy used by appliances that are plugged in (chargers) I now put all our chargers on a power strip at night to charge then shut the power strip off in the morning. Hope this helps.

[illinisaver]

I make sure I wash a Full load of clothes instead of half a load! Instead of drying the towels in the dryer during the summer I hang them dry!!! It saves time and money!! I rarely turn on the lights during the day!! I bought new window blinds and curtains to block the heat and sun during the summer hot weather! Replace bulbs with energy efficient ones!! It really makes a difference!! If no one is home then the ac is turned off.

[LaLax2]

Originally Posted by joshmamabear

it wasn't much of the tax credit we were looking at. after getting a quotation on how it much it will cost for our home which came up to $25K to $30K (they have jacked up the prices), we computed on how long it will take for us to break even. We'd rather do other energy saving measures for now.

i didnt think it was that much for solar panels wow yea ill stick to other methods thanks

[foxx07]

Lots of great ideas ladies!! My DH and I have done a few things to drop our bills. We do the cold water wash thing for laundry, reuse towels (and pj's too..jeeze we arent going to be seen in them!) But the big one for me is the use of dark film on our windows in the summer (buy it at lowes or home depot comes in different styles and does come off!) as well as curtains! I have extra heavy ones i hang in the winter. Also draft stoppers on the doors, keeping doors clsed to rooms we dont use and unplugging things too. Oh yeah I also bought a power strip that has two constant use plugs and six plugs that can be shut off with a battery opperated switch. I hooked up all the game stations, surround sound, dvd player and the wii charging station into the 6 plugs and it has helped with them not always drawing power. Beyond that, robes and slippers in the winter!!