Saving money on electric bill

[Wisneaky]

I was able to cut my electric bill down to almost 1/3 of what it was last year. $58 vs $151 for the same time last year. It feels good to save money. Here are some things I did. Changed out all cfl bulbs to led bulbs. Unplugged all unnecessary appliances. This includes unplugging the laptop and printer when not in use. Turned off the breaker to the central air unit which made a big difference. Also changed electric water heater and electric stove to gas appliances. It just amazes me how much money can be saved by unplugging things.

 

[jb6l6gc]

Why would shutting the breaker off to the central air unit do anything if my thermostat is off?

 

[Where2]

Why would shutting the breaker off to the central air unit do anything if my thermostat is off?

Potentially because there is a 24v transformer running the automation electronics behind the thermostat whether the unit is set to "ON" or "OFF" possibly?

Some people find their door bell transformers draw more than they like... I just don't have a doorbell.

 

[Husky]

Why would shutting the breaker off to the central air unit do anything if my thermostat is off?

I'm wondering the same thing. Please let us know.

 

[Wisneaky]

Why would shutting the breaker off to the central air unit do anything if my thermostat is off?

I found out that some of them like mine have heaters in them to keep them warm. If I remember right I think someone said it heats an oil in them.

 

[Wisneaky]

Turning it off was about 280 watts an hour.

 

[jb6l6gc]

Really hmm. May have to shut that off and disconnect doorbell I'm all about saving hydro if I can. The rates here are absurd

 

[BrotherBart]

Only comparative if you now add the gas and the electric bill together.

 

[iamlucky13]

Only comparative if you now add the gas and the electric bill together.

True, but assuming the gas costs $1.50 per therm, heat from natural gas costs the equivalent of $0.05/kWh, so probably about 1/3 what he was paying to heat his water electrically.

 

[BrotherBart]

Only way to know is add'em together. And notice how mild November was compared to last year on that bill. A season's bills tell the true tale.

 

[jb6l6gc]

I have no gas

 

[jb6l6gc]

No water just electricity and wood

 

[Wisneaky]

Only comparative if you now add the gas and the electric bill together.

Not even close when LP is only .98 a gallon.

Edited...I read you comment wrong. I thought you meant it was comparative. It's kind of hard for me to tell this month, so I'll track it next month. I know since I last had a fill on my LP tank I've used 1.5 gallons a day. For the last month or so though I've been running the LP furnace daily. With LP being so cheap I'm going to save my wood this season.

 

[woodgeek]

Great job. Nice catch on the AC heater.

But the efficiency of ng and propane HWHs is much lower than electric. The flue can also pull conditioned air 24/7.

What is the EF on the unit?

 

[jb6l6gc]

just talked to master electrician at work. He also recommends shutting off ac circuit not only for the heater draw which he said is minimal but also because he says it attracts mice in the winter. One thing he did say was when you turn it back on leave the circuit on for at least 24hrs before first use

 

[velvetfoot]

423 kw-hrs/month is good, I guess, but maybe nothing to brag about.

 

[Wisneaky]

423 kw-hrs/month is good, I guess, but maybe nothing to brag about.

Maybe I should mention I have a family of 6 people.

 

[velvetfoot]

Well, there ya go!
How are you cooking your turkey this year?

 

[semipro]

Some people find their door bell transformers draw more than they like... I just don't have a doorbell.

This has always bothered me. I found a reference online to the doorbell transformer and button lights using 4 watts. A quick calculation shows that over my house's 30 year life-span about 1,000 kwh or $100 has been spent on a door bell that never gets used (gravel driveways and dogs negate the need).
Trouble is, I can't find the transformer for our door bell. It must hidden somewhere between floors or such.

 

[velvetfoot]

What bugs me is the money one has to pay just for the privilege of being hooked up to the grid.

 

[Husky]

This has always bothered me. I found a reference online to the doorbell transformer and button lights using 4 watts. A quick calculation shows that over my house's 30 year life-span about 1,000 kwh or $100 has been spent on a door bell that never gets used (gravel driveways and dogs negate the need).
Trouble is, I can't find the transformer for our door bell. It must hidden somewhere between floors or such.

Check right behind door bell. Sometimes they put it where you wouldn't expect.

 

[Wisneaky]

What bugs me is the money one has to pay just for the privilege of being hooked up to the grid.

Yes I agree. I pay $8 a month plus 8.5% in taxes and fees on top of what I use. They are trying to raise the $8 connection fee to $18 which sounds like it is going to be approved. They want people to save electricity, but when it cuts into their profits they start tacking on other fees.

 

[velvetfoot]

I just looked at an old bill. We pay $15.11.

 

[Wisneaky]

Great job. Nice catch on the AC heater.

But the efficiency of ng and propane HWHs is much lower than electric. The flue can also pull conditioned air 24/7.

What is the EF on the unit?

I'm out of town for the week, but I'll check when I get back home. I know when I first hooked up the gas water heater and stove I was using about 1 gallons a day between them and the gas dryer without the LP furnace running. I know it's a power vent water heater and it can completely heat a cold tank to 140 degrees in 20 minutes.

 

[Husky]

Yes I agree. I pay $8 a month plus 8.5% in taxes and fees on top of what I use. They are trying to raise the $8 connection fee to $18 which sounds like it is going to be approved. They want people to save electricity, but when it cuts into their profits they start tacking on other fees.

If your not ahead of the curve on making efficiency savings then you end up paying as others jump on the band wagon before you. This is a double edge sword though. If you start early then the things you do always end up costing more then if you wait for the technology to be developed and become cheaper. If you wait to long then other have taken advantage and cause the electric companies to begin to lose revenue and the fee start in to make up for that revenue. You really need to think long term and get ahead of that curve. I am just as guilty as the next person and wait to long.