My Gas/electric Bill Dropped From $250 To $74 A Month!
Submitted by Live Earth on 17 October, 2007 - 19:01
I'm on the budget plan. This way I can see what my billing will be for three months in a row. Some think that I've gone overboard, but I've learned how to save a lot of money. Here are some of the ways I have accomplished that.
1) In the winter my gas furnace is controlled by a Programmable Thermostat. When I'm at work, I have the heat just low enough so that my water pipes don't freeze. I set it to go to a comfortable temp an hour before I get home. It stays at that temp to do my nightly household duties.
2) When I retire to my bedroom, I have the thermostat programmed to go down to a lower temp again. I use a space heater then.
3) When I go to bed I use the ‘3 dog night' method. I don't have any dogs so I use blankets. The colder the night the more blankets -- up to 3 if needed. (In the summertime it's fans or I go somewhere where there is AC if it is truly HOT…no AC in my house).
4) When it starts getting cold, I start covering my windows with plastic. Not every window at first, in case we still get Indian Summer weather.
5) I also use the energy saving light bulbs in all my light fixtures.
6) I have my TV, lights, computer…everything on the strip outlets. I turn them off at the strip when I'm not using them.
7) I unplug all of my small kitchen appliances for two reasons:
a) it saves on energy
b) a person can get shocked when cleaning the appliances like the toaster -- I learned a long time ago when the energy surged through my body and out my pinky finger. Scary!!
8) I drive the speed limit. It saves on gas (even going 5 miles over makes a difference). Driving the speed limit will also help from getting a speeding ticket.
9) I just now have started checking the air in my tires. Trust me I noticed a difference at the pumps.
10) I give energy saving bulbs as x-mas gifts. For one of my son's first anniversaries, I gave them energy saving bulbs and night lights. There is no need to turn on any light when using a night light.
11) To help spread the word I have passed this website on to friends and relatives.
12) My energy company sent me an informative paper that shows how each degree can save you money. I put it out at work so everyone can see.
I'm sure there are more things I do, but I hope what I do can help you save, too.
Sandra O. --
You can also save on your
You can also save on your gasoline cost by using a fuel additive that is 13% more efficient and better for the environment. check it out on my site at
www.eyicom.com/hitechfuel .
Yes, I do the same thing. I
Yes, I do the same thing. I cover the windows with Plastic, one at a time. I clean/flush out the Boiler, so it don't work so hard to keep the pipes warm. I don't move the temp up and down (I put on a sweat shirt). Since the Gas Prices are so high, I try to keep a full tank when it's down to half a tank. And I try to keep the gas filter clean, that helps. Plus I don't put to many plugs in one outlet, I switch plugs, cause of different wattages/amps. So if you want to save $900. on car Ins. every 6/months take the bus/train to your job/destaination or ride a bicycle.
I am so happy to see that
I am so happy to see that there are people out there who realize that they can live comfortably without being wasteful. It just takes a little thought to relearn better habits. Recycling is a tremendous help in making our world a better place.
Also it's great to see that people are incorporating that approach in gift giving. Use less stuff, save more earth. We can be happier with less "stuff". Material things require a much greater use of precious resources. Smaller, more efficient homes is a start, and you don't have to have as much "stuff" to fill them up. Fill your life experience with quality not quantity. Reuse as much as you can and when you are done with something and think it is junk, donate it, and it gets reused again.
My first Con Ed bill in house
My first Con Ed bill in house I and two other people share... its a two family house, was 287.00 this month, yet two of us are never home until after 8pm, there are alot of drafts and my brother says the house doesnt have a programmable stat, should we get one? finally, I applied for low income rates, as Myself is on SS DISABILITY, and was accepted into the program, how do I know if my rates are low income, as this bill looks high. Thank YOU.