Hello. I would like advice thanks. Anyone.
Advice.. How to keep electric bill on the lower side
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 theNavigator |
Advice.. How to keep electric bill on the lower side |
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Posts: 1214 (10/09/2009 1:12 PM) |
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LisaChasez |
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Posts: 111055 (10/09/2009 1:13 PM) JC Fanatic '03
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Keep the AC at 78. Check your insulation. turn off your disco lights.
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 Mistress Darcy |
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Posts: 11738 (10/09/2009 1:15 PM) |
I would like to know too because we do ALL Of the tricks and our electricity bill is still insane. And we have a smaller place. I guess it may just not be an
efficient place and electricity costs a lot around here?
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skoop0823 |
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Posts: 1071 (10/09/2009 1:16 PM) |
get off JJB
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guesswhatelse |
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Posts: 27634 (10/09/2009 1:17 PM) |
I don't mind the dark, so I turn off all the lights unless I absolutely need them. I also unplug as many appliances as possible when they're not in
use.
To anyone who knows, does it help at all to turn off the AC or heat when you leave your home? |
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Olivia725 |
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Posts: 2259 (10/09/2009 1:18 PM) |
guesswhatelse wrote: I heard no. If it gets too hot or cold, it has to work harder and longer to get it back to temp. YOu don't have to keep it at the temp. you do when you are home, but don't turn it off completely either. Just lower/raise it. |
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JustinRandy131 |
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Posts: 15057 (10/09/2009 1:18 PM) |
We adjust the heat/air when we aren't going to be home all day.
Supposedly, using the dryer at night - I don't know if this applies only during the Summer or what, but my mom claims this is true. |
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IdDoJC100Ways |
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Posts: 27745 (10/09/2009 1:19 PM) |
The worst thing on an electric bill is an inefficient appliance. An old fridge or dryer or AC will cause much more power usage than updated appliances. We used
to live in an apartment that had a fridge but it was older. We bought a new energy star model and we noticed our electric bill dropped.
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SelFish |
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Posts: 9189 (10/09/2009 1:22 PM) |
Turn it up when you leave, keep your blinds closed, replace your filter every month, keep a ceiling fan running should you have one and you can keep the temp
at a higher level as long as the air is circulating.
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Zaida25 |
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Posts: 1482 (10/09/2009 1:32 PM) |
Unplug everything if you're not using it.
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kartd |
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Posts: 1158 (10/09/2009 1:39 PM) |
Get a programmable thermostat. I keep my A/C at 78. It kicks on at 7:30 on most mornings and will go off at 8:30 when I'm leaving for work and it'll go
up to 82. It comes back on at 5 when I'm leaving work so it will be cooled down by the time I get home.
Use ceiling fans. No, they won't keep you THAT cool but they'll help. My A/C rarely kicks on at night (it goes up to 80) and I'm usually fine at night with a ceiling fan and a oscillating fan (that I have set to just blow on me). I keep them running during the day as I have 2 cats and I want them to not smother. You can also wear lighter clothing in the summer. As for winter, never use a space heater. Those things will rack up your bill like no tomorrow as they draw LOTS of energy. Wear more clothing. And get yourself an electric blanket. That blanket made a HUGE difference in my bill this past winter compared to the winter before. You can also put old towels along the window sill. It'll help keep out some of the cold air. My heater is also programmed for the winter but I forget what the temps are. But for both summer and winter, the temps are all in the "energy efficient" range or might be like 1 degree off. I definitely know the summer ones are. And I have over a 900 sq foot apartment, so while it's not huge, it's fair sized and it faces north and I have a "sun room" that has lots of windows so it can get pretty nippy in there sometimes. |
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BeaUtiFuLiMperFektiOn |
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Posts: 6752 (10/09/2009 1:46 PM) |
In the hotter months, try not to dry clothing during the day. Electricity costs a few cents more during the day in the hotter months.
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Lyric762 |
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Posts: 1908 (10/09/2009 1:47 PM) |
Having a first floor apartment also helps
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umjustine.anarbor |
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Posts: 175 (10/09/2009 2:07 PM) |
I was told having laptop and cell phone chargers plugged in but not charging anything is a HUGE waist of electricity and money. But i dont pay the electric
bill so im not sure the effect us not doing that anymore has had
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PlaySka4me |
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Posts: 20791 (10/09/2009 2:17 PM) |
Only run appliances when you need them. i.e. wait until you have a full load of laundry to do the wash, or full load of dishes for the dishwasher etc.
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kfree10 |
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Posts: 13958 (10/09/2009 2:25 PM) |
CFL bulbs. They really do make a difference!
I agree with unplugging things when they're not being used. Or hook things up to a power strip and flip the switch. I charge my cell phone at work. 
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ugh rabies |
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Posts: 629 (10/09/2009 2:28 PM) |
I actually work in the energy efficiency field. One of the best things you can do is make sure that your window seals, door seals, etc. are good and not
letting air in or out. In the summer if you can keep the AC at 76 that's ideal. It's kind of the "magic" temperature.
Keeping things plugged in when not in use does still use energy but in my experience, it's not one of the big things you can change. You're going to see the biggest differences in the things you do to weatherize your home. |
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shoebaby1 |
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Posts: 35534 (10/09/2009 2:30 PM) Most Dramatic JJBer '08
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LisaChasez wrote: that is sooo not going to happen, I need those on at all times. 
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ugh rabies |
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Posts: 630 (10/09/2009 2:32 PM) |
Oh, and your fridge too. Close the door with a dollar bill in the frame. If you can pull it out easily, your seal isn't tight enough and needs to be
replaced.
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KDreamer |
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Posts: 12541 (10/09/2009 3:00 PM) |
What are you paying / mwH.... What is your contract? What do your service providers charge for (admin fees, zoning fees, distribution fees) ? That has a lot to
do with it also.
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theNavigator |
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Posts: 1216 (10/09/2009 7:11 PM) |
Thanks for all the advice, any more would help too! I plan on keeping most things unplugged etc.. And watching a lot of what I use. I have to do this as
I'll be living on my own soon and don't want my bill super high. What is your average monthly bill if you're in an apartment?
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