Power costs emptying our pockets!

Good energy saving thread In addition to changing out lighting/bulbs, began using power strips for electronics, washer/dryer etc and unplugging EVERY thing not in use a few years back and did notice a savings.

Heat is propane/fire place so save money on propane by cutting it back to 54-55 degrees when not here or sleeping (like sleeping cold but getting out of my nice warm bed on very cold mornings is hard BUT space heater in bathroom/dressing area works great. Don't know where you live but i live in very old stone house plus plenty of trees here that keep things pretty cool in summer except when 90 degrees so a/c is used sparingly during the day and fan in bedroom with open windows keeps things cool at night - usually end up under a blanket during the summer

I personally do not do well sleeping under a/c and a trick my mother used to do when i was little was to use fan as an exhaust system. She closed all windows in my bedroom except 2 - one window was raised about half way and the second window had the fan turned to blow the air outside which had me sleeping under what felt like air conditioning.

 

Hi Sunshine-best (just the right nick )
have you ever thought of PV Photovoltaic? I am sure you can look around for info.... I would post some but been Italians one they won't be any good to you ....
just to give you some ideas (translated)>>>>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_effect
http://www.seia.org/policy/solar-technology/photovoltaic-solar-electric

latest >>>The solar panel that produces hot, cold and electric power comes in full autonomy, Italian patent
http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/tecn...oduce-081428.shtml?uuid=Aa27ivWE&refresh_ce=1
(I google translated for you but many times it still come out on its original language.. so translated the same way...oops maybe you can read Italian better still )

just a thought... hope it help

 

Where do you live? A lot depends on that. Here in Florida, they have a solar incentive program but it's limited and very hard to get on the list.

I'm sure you are turning lights off when not in the room, etc. Cheap LED light strips help a little. We use them under our kitchen cabinets.

Not sure what else could help you.

 

We've made the switch to all LED bulbs and turn everything off in the house when not in use.

We also use things like this for the TV and all the other devices attached like the XBOX and other things that would draw energy but are only used when the TV is on. So when the TV is off it cuts power to all those devices. I also use it for my computer so things like the printer don't draw extra energy sitting idly.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003P2UMQ2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We use a couple of these on things like the microwave that aren't inconvenient to click on and off

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MYN3OO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Not to mention we cut the cord recently and ditched DirecTV. Just removed all the cords from behind the TV had to make a difference. The amount of things they plug in are crazy. Now all we have is an HD antenna (which shuts off with the TV) the xbox and the TV itself.

 

Do you live in a country in which you can not put wind power stations? Or any other alternative energy sources? At least solar panels on the roof. Believe me, they pay off in 5-8 years.

 

I made my own antenna and uses no electricity. My old store bought one only gave us 13 stations.
This ugly cheap ( almost free ) one gets 51 channels.

Don't be fooled into thinking you need an "HD" antenna. That's a lie. Ours picks up all HD channels within our area.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/tv/how-to/a6608/build-your-own-digital-tv-antenna/

 

Maybe your neighbor is stealing electricity?... it happens in Florida a lot when there is a marijuana grow house next door.