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- Daughters: Ages 34 & 32
- Grandsons: Ages 2, 2 & 17 months
- Work at home
- Group Leader
- Saving on Utility Bills
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The cost of home heating and utilities has increased 40% in our area over the three years. We've taken steps to lower those costs in a number of ways. We've changed of all our light bulbs to more energy saving bulbs, added more insulation to the attic, made sure all windows were caulked and air-tight, and installed a pellet stove, dramatically cutting down on our use of heating oil, thus keeping our costs essentially the same over the last three years. We'd like to do more and need some ideas.
What have you done to keep your utility bills in check? Share your tips and tricks!
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Go Green! Eat Lean! Live Clean! - Belle
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- Daughters: Ages 34 & 32
- Grandsons: Ages 2, 2 & 17 months
- Work at home
- Group Leader
- FamilyHost_Annabelle - June 30, 2009
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Two years ago we went ahead and got replacement vinyl windows for our 60+ year old brick home. It made such a huge difference in our energy bills. Not only did our gas bill drop dramatically but we were finally able to open the windows. When we moved in, the original windows were in such poor shape that we couldn't really open/close them. So that meant all summer we ran the air conditioning. Now we only run the A/C when it gets to 90 degrees or so. We do use ceiling fans and some table fans but they require far less energy than the A/C unit does.
- By AnnabelleMcB
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New airtight windows really do make a difference! They'll pay for themselves in no time.
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Go Green! Eat Lean! Live Clean! - Belle
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- Daughters: Ages 34 & 32
- Grandsons: Ages 2, 2 & 17 months
- Work at home
- Group Leader
- FamilyHost_Annabelle - June 30, 2009
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We agreed to be part of a program that had our utility company install a "Savers Switch" that is connected to our central air-conditioning. For the 4 hot months a year we get 15% taken off our electric bill monthly in exchange for allowing the utility company to "cycle" our air-conditioning on the days where it is extremely hot and they need to conserve power. The "cycling" consists of the utility company not allowing our airconditioning to kick on for 15 minutes of each hour on those miserably hot days. We don't even notice the difference in the house when the air-conditioning is being cycled and we get to save on our bill. It's been well worth it.
- By kayceecat
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That's a pretty cool program (no pun intended!) Thanks for sharing that with us, kayceecat!
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Go Green! Eat Lean! Live Clean! - Belle
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- Giggles_all_day - June 29, 2009
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We agreed to be part of a program that had our utility company install a "Savers Switch" that is connected to our central air-conditioning. For the 4 hot months a year we get 15% taken off our electric bill monthly in exchange for allowing the utility company to "cycle" our air-conditioning on the days where it is extremely hot and they need to conserve power. The "cycling" consists of the utility company not allowing our airconditioning to kick on for 15 minutes of each hour on those miserably hot days. We don't even notice the difference in the house when the air-conditioning is being cycled and we get to save on our bill. It's been well worth it.
- By kayceecat
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I will check with my electric company to see if this is available for us! Sure would be nice to save a few more dollars! Thank you for the tip!
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- Son: Age 3
- Stay at home
- AnnabelleMcB - June 29, 2009
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Two years ago we went ahead and got replacement vinyl windows for our 60+ year old brick home. It made such a huge difference in our energy bills. Not only did our gas bill drop dramatically but we were finally able to open the windows. When we moved in, the original windows were in such poor shape that we couldn't really open/close them. So that meant all summer we ran the air conditioning. Now we only run the A/C when it gets to 90 degrees or so. We do use ceiling fans and some table fans but they require far less energy than the A/C unit does.
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- Work part-time outside home
- kayceecat - June 29, 2009
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We agreed to be part of a program that had our utility company install a "Savers Switch" that is connected to our central air-conditioning. For the 4 hot months a year we get 15% taken off our electric bill monthly in exchange for allowing the utility company to "cycle" our air-conditioning on the days where it is extremely hot and they need to conserve power. The "cycling" consists of the utility company not allowing our airconditioning to kick on for 15 minutes of each hour on those miserably hot days. We don't even notice the difference in the house when the air-conditioning is being cycled and we get to save on our bill. It's been well worth it.
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- Giggles_all_day - May 30, 2009
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Hey that sound like a good idea! Where is a good place to purchase those?? I am very interested.
- By ErinL32
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I am not sure where Jennyboots got hers but I got mine at Wal-Mart. They do help on cutting down with the AC and heating bill!
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- Son: Age 7
- Daughters: Ages 17, 14 & 11
- Everman, TX
- Work full-time outside home
- ErinL32 - May 30, 2009
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We have insulated curtains on the sliding doors ... keeps it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
- By Jennyboots
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Hey that sound like a good idea! Where is a good place to purchase those?? I am very interested.
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Family is life's greatest accomplishment.
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- Daughters: Ages 11 & 8
- Jennyboots - May 20, 2009
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We have insulated curtains on the sliding doors ... keeps it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
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- Daughters: Ages 34 & 32
- Grandsons: Ages 2, 2 & 17 months
- Work at home
- Group Leader
- FamilyHost_Annabelle - May 20, 2009
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We upgraded our windows two years ago. Our old windows were in such poor shape that we were unable to open them. Now with the new windows, not only do they keep heat in during the winter, but we have them open almost all summer. We only turn the air conditioning on when it gets above 90 degrees. We've switched over a lot of our lightbulbs to CFLs which has helped a lot as well.
- By Helen-NotofTroy
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You make a good point, Helen. Leaky windows can add hundreds of dollars to your home heating and cooling bills. Replacement windows are usually worth the investment. Thanks for the tip!
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Go Green! Eat Lean! Live Clean! - Belle
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- Daughters: Ages 19 & 15
- Forest Hill, MD
- Work part-time outside home
- Helen-NotofTroy - May 19, 2009
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We upgraded our windows two years ago. Our old windows were in such poor shape that we were unable to open them. Now with the new windows, not only do they keep heat in during the winter, but we have them open almost all summer. We only turn the air conditioning on when it gets above 90 degrees.
We've switched over a lot of our lightbulbs to CFLs which has helped a lot as well.
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