how to lower $600 usd electricity bill?
Billy B asked:
Are electricity bill are average of $600 a month. All our lights have already been switched to compact fluorescent and use dimmers almost all the time. we turn lights off when not in use. We never use the air condition or heater since our house has really good insulation, double pane windows uv glazed. Our house is average 5700 square feet. We never use the dishwasher or trash compactor. Energy efficient refrigerator (subzero). We close refrigerator right after use.We also stopped using the bar and wine chiller.
Are electricity bill are average of $600 a month. All our lights have already been switched to compact fluorescent and use dimmers almost all the time. we turn lights off when not in use. We never use the air condition or heater since our house has really good insulation, double pane windows uv glazed. Our house is average 5700 square feet. We never use the dishwasher or trash compactor. Energy efficient refrigerator (subzero). We close refrigerator right after use.We also stopped using the bar and wine chiller.
What other methods beside turning off washer and dryer. Cannot install solar power panel or windmill because of HOA
Do you have any ideas in lowering our bill?
Lane
March 10th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Lucienne
Wow….
You’ve covered alot of bases.
All I can think of that you haven’t mentioned is unplug all power sources when not being used, and turn your internet off at night.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Stephine
Wow..Since your house is so big, no matter how you save the energy it would still cost a lot of energy. Try to use light saving bulb and use light only if necessary. Don’t forget to unplug the television of a fan. everything that is not in use, unplug it. Double check every corner of your house maybe you missed a spot. Taxes also makes your bill higher. Mine only costs $27 -30 a month.lol
March 14th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Lee
That’s ridiculous.Have the electric company come out and do an Energy audit.They may be estimating on several factors.Including the size of your home.Also check with your hoa if everyone else electric is that high.Don’t assume you are using all that if you have been honest with what you wrote.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Corrinne
Your house is 5700 square feet, and you want to lower your electric bill? I have no idea how man y people live in your house, but my first guess is you have too much house…so…
[some of these suggestions work even if you keep your house completely in use]
First, calculate how many rooms you really use on a daily basis. Close off all of those not used, including blocking the plumbing and heating/cooling, and shutting off electricity. If possible, the rooms that are remaining in use should be as centralized as possible, and as close to the mechnical and plumbing “heart” of the house as possible. If you have recirculating hot water plumbing (which, in a house that size, I expect you do), turn it off. Try to make all those extra areas fairly “airtight” by blocking or taping around doors and windows, and caulking at the ceiling and behind the baseboards. With a house that size, I am guessing you have a pool, and probably a spa. If you can use solar water heating, do so, if not, at least get a pool blanket and/or spa cover. If they are not in use for part of the year, drain them. Turn your water heater(s) down to 120F. Replace water heater(s) with Marathon (or similar) high efficiency water heater(s). Replace heating and cooling systems with systems sized to your newly reduced square footage. Replace heating and cooling systems with ground loop heat pump. If you live in the desert, consider a Coolerado A/C. Consider replacing all of your landscaping lighting with motion sensor lighting, or solar-LED lighting as appropriate. Replace outdoor incandescent with CFL, or hi or low pressure sodium vapor lamps (even better, though not electrical saving, consider “night sky friendly” lighting).