Denim Deb
More Precious than Rubies
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2010
- Messages
- 14,993
- Reaction score
- 616
- Points
- 417
How are the 2 levels split up? We have a bi level and have found if we have ceiling fans going during the summer, this will circulate the air quite well and we don't use the AC as much.
Keep the freezer as full as possible. If you don't have enough food to keep it full, put jugs of water in there and let them freeze. This will also help keep items cold in the event of a power outage.
Try to use major appliances only during off peak hours, like early morning, late evening. Don't use the dryer unless you have to. Either hang clothes outside on a line, or in the basement.
Only run the dishwasher when you have a full load. I give them a rinse B4 I put them in in just a couple of inches of water and use the light cycle. Don't use the dry cycle, but when it's done washing and rinsing, open the door.
If you have a garbage disposal, don't use it.
Unplugging appliances that aren't being used, but still use electricity when unplugged can save money. The only problem w/this can be do you need to reset anything on them when you plug them back in.
For lights, it depends on how many watts the bulb is as to how much energy it uses. The main thing you want to consider w/that is how much light do you need? Do table lamps give enough light or will you get more light from from a ceiling light? Would a combination of both work better? For instance, in the living room, we have a ceiling light only, but it points in different directions, and we use low wattage bulbs. In the bedroom, I have a single ceiling light, then a table lamp next to the bed so I have light if I'm reading in bed.
Hope this helps!
Keep the freezer as full as possible. If you don't have enough food to keep it full, put jugs of water in there and let them freeze. This will also help keep items cold in the event of a power outage.
Try to use major appliances only during off peak hours, like early morning, late evening. Don't use the dryer unless you have to. Either hang clothes outside on a line, or in the basement.
Only run the dishwasher when you have a full load. I give them a rinse B4 I put them in in just a couple of inches of water and use the light cycle. Don't use the dry cycle, but when it's done washing and rinsing, open the door.
If you have a garbage disposal, don't use it.
Unplugging appliances that aren't being used, but still use electricity when unplugged can save money. The only problem w/this can be do you need to reset anything on them when you plug them back in.
For lights, it depends on how many watts the bulb is as to how much energy it uses. The main thing you want to consider w/that is how much light do you need? Do table lamps give enough light or will you get more light from from a ceiling light? Would a combination of both work better? For instance, in the living room, we have a ceiling light only, but it points in different directions, and we use low wattage bulbs. In the bedroom, I have a single ceiling light, then a table lamp next to the bed so I have light if I'm reading in bed.
Hope this helps!