Comments on: 10 Easy Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Fri, 24 May 2013 04:47:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Amy schumer http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-3320017 Amy schumer Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:49:57 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-3320017 Great article for all house owners. i have shared this article to all my friends. thanks for posting Great article for all house owners. i have shared this article to all my friends. thanks for posting

loading....

]]> By: Air Temperature Specialists San Diego http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-3285797 Air Temperature Specialists San Diego Sat, 16 Feb 2013 08:55:36 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-3285797 Im on this stuff. I prefer reading such articles explaining things on how to save. Im on this stuff. I prefer reading such articles explaining things on how to save.

loading....

]]> By: Peter http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-3280629 Peter Sat, 09 Feb 2013 12:31:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-3280629 Hi, you may think CFL light bulbs are a good idea to save energy but read up about the mercury they contain. So the few dollars you save could go towards your funeral plan. LED lights use less power are brighter and do not contain deadly mercury. What you ask they are encased in glass these mercury lights. Well the glass they are made of is paper-thin with the constant On-Off over a period of months or years the glass gets what they call micro cracks. Water will not pass through these micro cracks but what they call Nano Particles of mercury vapour can. Added to this if you have one on a bench top within a couple of foot you will get skin cancer from the high levels of UV. Also the high strobing action and the dim light of these CFL bulbs can cause depression and eyestrain even in children as young as 3 years old. So LED lights are your safer and cheaper option that will save you more off your electricity bill Hi, you may think CFL light bulbs are a good idea to save energy but read up about the mercury they contain. So the few dollars you save could go towards your funeral plan. LED lights use less power are brighter and do not contain deadly mercury. What you ask they are encased in glass these mercury lights. Well the glass they are made of is paper-thin with the constant On-Off over a period of months or years the glass gets what they call micro cracks. Water will not pass through these micro cracks but what they call Nano Particles of mercury vapour can. Added to this if you have one on a bench top within a couple of foot you will get skin cancer from the high levels of UV. Also the high strobing action and the dim light of these CFL bulbs can cause depression and eyestrain even in children as young as 3 years old. So LED lights are your safer and cheaper option that will save you more off your electricity bill

loading....

]]> By: Carolyn http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-3239372 Carolyn Sat, 19 Jan 2013 00:38:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-3239372 The first comment said to use heat causing appliances at night when the temperatures are cooler outside. That may be true & I've done that for my own comfort. It may not save money thought because it's my understanding that power companies charge different rates for electrical power at different times of the day, afternoon & night being the most expensive. 3am until about 10am would probably be cheaper. I might not want to vacuum but the delay setting on your dishwasher would work at that time. The first comment said to use heat causing appliances at night when the temperatures are cooler outside. That may be true & I’ve done that for my own comfort. It may not save money thought because it’s my understanding that power companies charge different rates for electrical power at different times of the day, afternoon & night being the most expensive. 3am until about 10am would probably be cheaper. I might not want to vacuum but the delay setting on your dishwasher would work at that time.

loading....

]]> By: Scott http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-3116042 Scott Sat, 24 Nov 2012 22:31:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-3116042 Regarding air filter prices, there are different size filters with different MERV ratings. My filters are pretty big (20x25x6) and MERV 13 rated. they are 25 each but last a very long time and filter the best. cheap 20x20x1 filters need to be changed monthly, and don't filter out much of anything Regarding air filter prices, there are different size filters with different MERV ratings. My filters are pretty big (20x25x6) and MERV 13 rated. they are 25 each but last a very long time and filter the best.

cheap 20x20x1 filters need to be changed monthly, and don’t filter out much of anything

loading....

]]> By: JB http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-3092542 JB Sat, 10 Nov 2012 04:26:57 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-3092542 I had an energy management computer installed on my house in Arizona. Company who installed it is called Advanced Home Systems (www.cheaperutilitybill.com). Some friends told my wife and I about this and it has literally changed our life. Conventional thought process on lowering your utility bills is to use electricity. An energy management computer lets you use the same or more energy but at a lower cost. I know, sounds too good to be true or a gimmick. Former CEO of APS (largest electric co. in AZ) has it on his home. My summer bills used to be around $450 (2600 sf with a pool). My new bills this summer were under $300. And, I used to keep my house around 81 degrees during the day. I now keep my house at 72 degrees 24/7 and still saved that much money. Again, sounds too good to be true. Check out the website and read about this. Energy computers are not a new concept, they are just traditionally used by larger businesses and not residential customers. I had an energy management computer installed on my house in Arizona. Company who installed it is called Advanced Home Systems (www.cheaperutilitybill.com). Some friends told my wife and I about this and it has literally changed our life. Conventional thought process on lowering your utility bills is to use electricity. An energy management computer lets you use the same or more energy but at a lower cost. I know, sounds too good to be true or a gimmick. Former CEO of APS (largest electric co. in AZ) has it on his home. My summer bills used to be around $450 (2600 sf with a pool). My new bills this summer were under $300. And, I used to keep my house around 81 degrees during the day. I now keep my house at 72 degrees 24/7 and still saved that much money. Again, sounds too good to be true. Check out the website and read about this. Energy computers are not a new concept, they are just traditionally used by larger businesses and not residential customers.

loading....

]]> By: Eddie http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-2863522 Eddie Mon, 16 Jul 2012 03:15:58 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-2863522 I don't know why people seem to think that leaving things plugged in is going to suck the electricity out and cost you money, but if the charger is not actually plugged into the phone or the laptop or if the device is not in use, unless it has some sort of LED light or time display, is not using power or using so little that it costs you pennies, literally PENNIES a month. In my opinion that is not worth me unplugging every single thing when I am not using it. I don't know about you but I think that it's a waste of time to be doing that. And you may think you're saving energy by turning of the A/C when you're gone, but turning it off and back on is actually costing you more money, because it's not maintaining a temperature, rather it must lower the temperature again, working harder and using more electricity. People need to learn to do some research, and not believe everything they hear from their friends, there are many ways to save energy rather than unplugging things all the time. If there are honestly people who do that to save those few pennies, I feel sorry for you. I don’t know why people seem to think that leaving things plugged in is going to suck the electricity out and cost you money, but if the charger is not actually plugged into the phone or the laptop or if the device is not in use, unless it has some sort of LED light or time display, is not using power or using so little that it costs you pennies, literally PENNIES a month. In my opinion that is not worth me unplugging every single thing when I am not using it. I don’t know about you but I think that it’s a waste of time to be doing that. And you may think you’re saving energy by turning of the A/C when you’re gone, but turning it off and back on is actually costing you more money, because it’s not maintaining a temperature, rather it must lower the temperature again, working harder and using more electricity. People need to learn to do some research, and not believe everything they hear from their friends, there are many ways to save energy rather than unplugging things all the time. If there are honestly people who do that to save those few pennies, I feel sorry for you.

loading....

]]> By: mary http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-2306192 mary Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:29:54 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-2306192 When washing clothes, run the spin cycle a second time. This makes sure all the excess water is out of the clothes. I'm not too worried about the allergens of of air-drying, but I don't like the stiffness it creates. If you line-dry and then when they are done put them in the dryer for 10-15 mins, it softens them up. This would probably work with the allergens too. When washing clothes, run the spin cycle a second time. This makes sure all the excess water is out of the clothes. I’m not too worried about the allergens of of air-drying, but I don’t like the stiffness it creates. If you line-dry and then when they are done put them in the dryer for 10-15 mins, it softens them up. This would probably work with the allergens too.

loading....

]]> By: Travis W http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-2014562 Travis W Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:52:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-2014562 Replacing AC filters monthly is insane. Not only is it a ridiculous practice since they only need to be replaced every 6 months or so, but I'd have to be saving at least $15 per month for this to make sense. No way. Crazy. Replacing AC filters monthly is insane. Not only is it a ridiculous practice since they only need to be replaced every 6 months or so, but I’d have to be saving at least $15 per month for this to make sense. No way. Crazy.

loading....

]]> By: Steve K http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-1706622 Steve K Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:45:11 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1706622 April, I moved from San Francisco to Austin several years ago and laughed when I saw ear muffs at 60 degrees. After 3 years, I get it. Over 100 is pretty standard and 60 it totally freezing. One of the great things about Austin is our progressive energy company, Austin Energy. You can actually have them deliver and install a programmable thermostat for FREE! Though there are some conditions that come attached. They also offer several other rebates and incentives to make your home more energy efficient. Definitely worth checking out your local energy company's website. April,

I moved from San Francisco to Austin several years ago and laughed when I saw ear muffs at 60 degrees. After 3 years, I get it. Over 100 is pretty standard and 60 it totally freezing.

One of the great things about Austin is our progressive energy company, Austin Energy. You can actually have them deliver and install a programmable thermostat for FREE! Though there are some conditions that come attached.

They also offer several other rebates and incentives to make your home more energy efficient. Definitely worth checking out your local energy company’s website.

loading....

]]> By: Terese http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-1688392 Terese Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:40:01 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1688392 We can also try not to cook that much in the summer. Anyway cooked food is not healthy at all. Also I've been always wondering why since it is so hot outside it has be THAT COLD everywhere inside??? The difference between the temperatures is way over normal. Can you imagine how much energy we would save if all the big companies, malls, stores, etc. turn the AC a little bit down? We can also try not to cook that much in the summer. Anyway cooked food is not healthy at all. Also I’ve been always wondering why since it is so hot outside it has be THAT COLD everywhere inside??? The difference between the temperatures is way over normal. Can you imagine how much energy we would save if all the big companies, malls, stores, etc. turn the AC a little bit down?

loading....

]]> By: Ben http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-1681512 Ben Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:28:25 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1681512 I didn't know that slow cookers were an efficient way to cook, but I do hate using the oven because it turns the kitchen into a sauna. I read on another pf blog about a power strip that turns off the power to idle devices? do you happen to know the name of it? I didn’t know that slow cookers were an efficient way to cook, but I do hate using the oven because it turns the kitchen into a sauna. I read on another pf blog about a power strip that turns off the power to idle devices? do you happen to know the name of it?

loading....

]]> By: Mark http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-2/#comment-1678822 Mark Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:47:37 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1678822 That crock pot suggestion is one that I have never heard of before. I have to try that one. That crock pot suggestion is one that I have never heard of before. I have to try that one.

loading....

]]> By: Diane http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1678192 Diane Wed, 17 Aug 2011 03:07:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1678192 I started unplugging my microwave oven because the clock uses more energy than the oven if you use the oven for less than 7 mins a day. (I got that info from here http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/vampire.html) I'm hoping that my power bill will be reduced just a little bit at least. :D I started unplugging my microwave oven because the clock uses more energy than the oven if you use the oven for less than 7 mins a day. (I got that info from here http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/vampire.html)
I’m hoping that my power bill will be reduced just a little bit at least.
:D

loading....

]]> By: Leah http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1677902 Leah Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:47:11 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1677902 I used a kill-a-watt (energy meter) to check my energy usage. With both my cell phone chargers, they registered less than a penny of electricity use over a 24 hour period when my phone wasn't plugged in. But I think the watts used depend on the charger. Check to see if your local library has a kill-a-watt you can check out -- that's how I got mine -- and check your phone charger and other electronics. It's a nice way to know exactly how much you're spending to keep the TV/VCR/microwave etc plugged in. In my case, the microwave was a definite drain. I don't remember the daily cost, but I do know my electricity bill went down when I unplugged the micro when not in use. I just used a power strip and turned it off unless I wanted to nuke something. I used a kill-a-watt (energy meter) to check my energy usage. With both my cell phone chargers, they registered less than a penny of electricity use over a 24 hour period when my phone wasn’t plugged in. But I think the watts used depend on the charger. Check to see if your local library has a kill-a-watt you can check out — that’s how I got mine — and check your phone charger and other electronics. It’s a nice way to know exactly how much you’re spending to keep the TV/VCR/microwave etc plugged in. In my case, the microwave was a definite drain. I don’t remember the daily cost, but I do know my electricity bill went down when I unplugged the micro when not in use. I just used a power strip and turned it off unless I wanted to nuke something.

loading....

]]> By: jeffeb3 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1677802 jeffeb3 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:10:38 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1677802 We took one of those kill-a-watt wattage meters around the house, and almost half our energy was consumed by the two desktop computers we left on all the time. Putting them in standby, or shutting them off completely will save more energy then unplugging all the other electronics in our house (except for major ones like the fridge). We left one on at the TV, but with most things streamed to our video games, we don't need it, and the other was used as an Internet portal, and stored some common files. We turned it off, and I set up wake on lan (which is actually really cool) to turn it on from any of the other computers. If I wasn't so lazy, I could definitely live without the wake on lan. Since then, our electricity is down by more than a quarter (we still use them sometimes) than what it was a year ago, which is a good $30/month savings. We took one of those kill-a-watt wattage meters around the house, and almost half our energy was consumed by the two desktop computers we left on all the time. Putting them in standby, or shutting them off completely will save more energy then unplugging all the other electronics in our house (except for major ones like the fridge).

We left one on at the TV, but with most things streamed to our video games, we don’t need it, and the other was used as an Internet portal, and stored some common files. We turned it off, and I set up wake on lan (which is actually really cool) to turn it on from any of the other computers. If I wasn’t so lazy, I could definitely live without the wake on lan.

Since then, our electricity is down by more than a quarter (we still use them sometimes) than what it was a year ago, which is a good $30/month savings.

loading....

]]> By: jeffeb3 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1677782 jeffeb3 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:05:00 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1677782 The bulbs at my LHS have color ratings, and you can get them redder (yellowish) or more blue. I prefer the standard fluorescent color though. The bulbs at my LHS have color ratings, and you can get them redder (yellowish) or more blue. I prefer the standard fluorescent color though.

loading....

]]> By: Bryan at Pinch that Penny! http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1677662 Bryan at Pinch that Penny! Tue, 16 Aug 2011 22:50:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1677662 That is interesting to know about Crock Pots. I suppose I would have realized that they used less electricity if I would have thought about it. I've got a couple of delicious recipes that use the crock pot, and if using it helps me save extra money on electricity, count me in! That is interesting to know about Crock Pots. I suppose I would have realized that they used less electricity if I would have thought about it. I’ve got a couple of delicious recipes that use the crock pot, and if using it helps me save extra money on electricity, count me in!

loading....

]]> By: Diane http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1677592 Diane Tue, 16 Aug 2011 22:08:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1677592 I agree. I like to be the one in a million for the global effect but the point of this post was to save money on your electricity bill and switching off your chargers will not make a noticeable difference. I agree. I like to be the one in a million for the global effect but the point of this post was to save money on your electricity bill and switching off your chargers will not make a noticeable difference.

loading....

]]> By: Sue http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1677492 Sue Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:13:07 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1677492 For clothes drying indoors, we have an extra tension rod tucked in a corner of our bathroom. I hang all our shirts and pants on hangers, and give them a brisk shake before hanging them over the bathtub on the tension rod. Saves space, and means that when they're dry, they simply go directly into the closet. For clothes drying indoors, we have an extra tension rod tucked in a corner of our bathroom. I hang all our shirts and pants on hangers, and give them a brisk shake before hanging them over the bathtub on the tension rod. Saves space, and means that when they’re dry, they simply go directly into the closet.

loading....

]]> By: Sara http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1677392 Sara Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:31:22 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1677392 Yes, definitely put it on your calendar when the next replacement should be made. I didn't do that before and realized I was leaving my filter in for too long before changing it. With the reminder, I'm sure to get it done. Yes, definitely put it on your calendar when the next replacement should be made. I didn’t do that before and realized I was leaving my filter in for too long before changing it. With the reminder, I’m sure to get it done.

loading....

]]> By: Dan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1677182 Dan Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:32:58 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1677182 Sounds like your friend has read Kurt Vonnegut! He says it best: "Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you've got about a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies — God damn it, you've got to be kind." - Mr. Rosewater from *God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater* Sounds like your friend has read Kurt Vonnegut! He says it best:

“Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It’s round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you’ve got about a hundred years here. There’s only one rule that I know of, babies — God damn it, you’ve got to be kind.”
- Mr. Rosewater from *God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater*

loading....

]]> By: mark http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1676942 mark Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:47:00 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1676942 From above: "While I’m gone at work, I let it go up to 75 or 76 but I don’t want it to stress trying to get back down when I come home so I don’t go above that." This is a myth -- your A/C is not stressed. It is a machine. You are throwing money away keeping your home cool while you are gone. Get a programmable thermostat and set it to turn on the A/C an hour before you get home and to leave it totally off during the day while you are gone unless you are leaving pets home and feel like they need some cooling. From above: “While I’m gone at work, I let it go up to 75 or 76 but I don’t want it to stress trying to get back down when I come home so I don’t go above that.”

This is a myth — your A/C is not stressed. It is a machine. You are throwing money away keeping your home cool while you are gone. Get a programmable thermostat and set it to turn on the A/C an hour before you get home and to leave it totally off during the day while you are gone unless you are leaving pets home and feel like they need some cooling.

loading....

]]> By: mark http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1676912 mark Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:39:10 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1676912 This is exactly correct. We buy a dozen at a time so we never have an excuse to not change it and then we change the filter every 480 hours of air-handler run time, which works out to roughly a month in the summer and longer in the winter. Our thermostat has a timer that keeps track of run-time. This is exactly correct. We buy a dozen at a time so we never have an excuse to not change it and then we change the filter every 480 hours of air-handler run time, which works out to roughly a month in the summer and longer in the winter. Our thermostat has a timer that keeps track of run-time.

loading....

]]> By: Rosa http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1676222 Rosa Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:22:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1676222 Does anybody live in a place where the utility company gives a discount if you're willing to have your power cut off at midday when power demand is highest? My mom had this when I was a kid, it switched off the power for a few hours, a few times a summer, but I don't remember it being a big deal - if it was summer and we were home, we just went to the pool for the afternoon. A few times it cut off the washer/dryer and they had to be restarted in the evening. And the discount was for the entire summer. Do utilities still run these programs? Does anybody live in a place where the utility company gives a discount if you’re willing to have your power cut off at midday when power demand is highest?

My mom had this when I was a kid, it switched off the power for a few hours, a few times a summer, but I don’t remember it being a big deal – if it was summer and we were home, we just went to the pool for the afternoon. A few times it cut off the washer/dryer and they had to be restarted in the evening. And the discount was for the entire summer.

Do utilities still run these programs?

loading....

]]> By: Rosa http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1676152 Rosa Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:12:08 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1676152 I think the cold cold air in offices makes it harder to adjust when you leave - working from home (with no AC, though when it was 100 degrees out I did find an air-conditioned place to work), I adjust to hot temperatures really fast and my summer nights are very tolerable. When I used to spend 8-9 hours a day in freezing cold offices, it was a lot harder to adjust to the real temperature. I think the cold cold air in offices makes it harder to adjust when you leave – working from home (with no AC, though when it was 100 degrees out I did find an air-conditioned place to work), I adjust to hot temperatures really fast and my summer nights are very tolerable. When I used to spend 8-9 hours a day in freezing cold offices, it was a lot harder to adjust to the real temperature.

loading....

]]> By: Rosa http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1676142 Rosa Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:08:29 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1676142 We do this in the few hot weeks we get each summer - cooking outdoors saves the house heating up, whether you're grilling or running a slow cooker or a toaster oven on the deck. Or just don't cook so much. This is a great time of year for fresh fruit, raw salads, etc. We do this in the few hot weeks we get each summer – cooking outdoors saves the house heating up, whether you’re grilling or running a slow cooker or a toaster oven on the deck.

Or just don’t cook so much. This is a great time of year for fresh fruit, raw salads, etc.

loading....

]]> By: Rosa http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1676122 Rosa Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:05:48 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1676122 We put a laundry line on our front porch. it doesn't add humidity to the house and on days I do sheets or towels, the extra shade makes the rooms near the porch significantly cooler. We put a laundry line on our front porch. it doesn’t add humidity to the house and on days I do sheets or towels, the extra shade makes the rooms near the porch significantly cooler.

loading....

]]> By: Pat http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1675812 Pat Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:57:03 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1675812 I turn off my heat/air when I leave the house (as long as it isn't below freezing) and turn it back on when I get home. I usually have the air on 72 and use the ceiling fans when it is over 90 and humid outside. My house is usually 10 degrees cooler due to all the trees (I have several 100+ year old trees outside and about 100 in the backyard) around the house. All my neighbors taught me since they have done this for years even when bills weren't as high as now. Don't forget to reduce, reuse and recycle. We need to strive for 95% recycling like Europe. I turn off my heat/air when I leave the house (as long as it isn’t below freezing) and turn it back on when I get home. I usually have the air on 72 and use the ceiling fans when it is over 90 and humid outside. My house is usually 10 degrees cooler due to all the trees (I have several 100+ year old trees outside and about 100 in the backyard) around the house. All my neighbors taught me since they have done this for years even when bills weren’t as high as now. Don’t forget to reduce, reuse and recycle. We need to strive for 95% recycling like Europe.

loading....

]]> By: Emily http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/08/15/10-easy-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1675762 Emily Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:41:05 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=97172#comment-1675762 You don't have to be a Luddite to hate A/C. It can make the air too dry; it can make a godawful racket; and sitting in a cold draft is no fun. On the hottest days, yes, I appreciate having the house cooled and dehumidified, but when it's actively blowing, my eyes get dry and red, my throat is scratchy, and I just want the din to stop. And that's assuming it's set at a decent temperature - and at work, it almost never is. You don’t have to be a Luddite to hate A/C. It can make the air too dry; it can make a godawful racket; and sitting in a cold draft is no fun. On the hottest days, yes, I appreciate having the house cooled and dehumidified, but when it’s actively blowing, my eyes get dry and red, my throat is scratchy, and I just want the din to stop. And that’s assuming it’s set at a decent temperature – and at work, it almost never is.

loading....

]]>