Saving Money on Energy- heat, etc.

Sachita · 12-02-2010, 09:01 AM

Its that time of year. Like many of you I need to save money and nothing sucks up dollars like heating during the winter. I have to heat my house, my dogs and my greenhouse. Its not uncommon for me to have 500.00 a month in bills, mostly from heating.

I'd like to start a thread on saving money. I recently purchased infrared heaters for my home, dogs and greenhouse. (see blog link below)

I have to say that I'm impressed with the way these heat and they have come down in price. I need to insulate my pipes better and may very well just run these. I even bought one for the greenhouse.

what temp do you keep your home and do you find yourself turning your thermostat way down to save money?
tips? ideas? bitching?

katsarecool · 12-02-2010, 09:19 AM

I can relate!! I am on a limited budget and live in an airy ole house. If I am not careful my bills can get very high as well. To complicate things I have fibromyalgia which means I do not tolerate extreme temps very well or constrictive clothing which is necessary in the winter. Warm comfortable woolen socks are a must. I always wear slippers.

What I do is to put up plastic on the inside of my windows as thick as I can get. I also have sealers for the doors. I keep an electric blanket; an energy efficent one. I dress in layers; loose soft warm clothing including thermal underwear in bright sping colors some with flowers and kittens. LOL

First thing in the morning I open all the blinds and drapes to let in the sunlight. At dark I close everything up to keep in the heat. I turn off all appliances that are not in use by unplugging the surge protectors because even if they are off while plugged in they still pull power.

I keep the thermostat at 68. I lowered the thermostat down on the water heater. There is only me so no need to keep that large thing heating water very hot all the time.

I also roll up a small carpet in front of the doors especially at night.

Good topic and looking forward to reading how other deal with winter time utlility bills.

diamondrose · 12-02-2010, 09:54 AM

My roommate and I do a few things to try and save on the heating bill. We seal most of our windows but still leave a few open to open during the days when it gets near the 80's, to warm the house. We also let the sunlight in during the day. Since I work nights, I am up alot during the night, so I do most of our cooking late in the evening or at night on the nights I am off. My roommates room is right off the kitchen. Cooking helps warm his side of the house quite a bit. I have a heating blanket on my bed and my roommate has a heater built into his water bed. We keep the heat around 67 degrees.

Diva · 12-02-2010, 10:28 AM

When my Dad passed away, there was money left to bring the house up to snuff in case I wanted to sell it (which I didn't).

One of the things I did was have new windows installed.....energy efficient, of course! The difference it's made in my heating/cooling bills is substantial. I went from a nearly-$500 summer bill to a little less than $200. I know. Heating went from $200-ish to just over $100. It has blown me away!

I really wanted to put in a tankless water heater, but couldn't justify the cost. I did wind up getting a new water heater which was more energy efficient.

My space heater is amazing and I use that until I just can't stay warm. I've used my heat only 2 times so far.

My dream would be to put solar panels on my roof.....we have a lot of sun here in Austin! But Diva will have to win the lottery to do that! (And yes....I'd stay in this house if that ever happened! I'd just buy an island somewhere, too! )

Sachita · 12-02-2010, 10:45 AM

I definitely want to change the windows and doors. I know that will help a lot. I've checked people to install and there are no deals yet.

Electric blankets use a lot of power. I also bought a twin.

I just ordered coats for my dogs to wear inside. lol- I'm actually contracting a lady to make coats and beds for dogs using crypton fabric. I have a few designs I'm working on. If I can get them warm I'll be ok. I'll be reselling the beds and coats btw & a portion is going towards helping people that are struggling and need help with their pets until they get settled.
Most dog coats never stay on when playing. Mine will stay on.

I did purchase a fireplace blower but it seemed like it put more smoke in the room. I had a wood stove insert but for that small room it was just too hot.

DomnNC · 12-02-2010, 11:49 AM

I don't know how many have ceiling fans but there is a switch on your ceiling fan, in the winter time you want to set the switch so your fans turn in a clockwise fashion, that way it forces the warm air that has risen back down towards the floor. In the summertime you set them to run counterclockwise, it will pull the cool air from the floor upwards helping to cool your house as well.

As for those pesky outlets hidden behind furniture and what not, buy some timers from your local Lowes or hardware stores and set the timer to turn your surge protector on and off at designated times during the day.

Also, caulking those old windows and around old door frames will help keep your warm or cool air inside during the day and night.

Also, your power outlets and light switches are a source or heat/cool air loss as well, they make foam rubber backings that you can put behind those outlets and light switches to keep your air loss to a minimal.

Also, they have foam wraps for your pipes as well.

One other thing, the vents on the outside of your house. You should open those in the summer time allowing hot air to escape from under your home. You should close them in the wintertime to keep cold air from circulating under your house and keeping your floors cold.

Sachita · 12-02-2010, 10:21 AM

I was going around and unplugging everything but its hard to remember and often it means pulling furniture out or climbing behind things. I think someone should come out with an outlet that has a sensor that automatically knows when to kick the power off and on. That would be a real popular item.

I have storm windows but they are not great. I'm hoping to start replacing windows window one by one. I'd really love to replace my doors but its an old house and few things are standard here.

I'm going to get that yellow foam shit in a can and see if I can button up some pipe draft.

They tell me my central air/heat pump is needing to be replaced. I dont think I'm going to do that. It's a power hog and even the energy efficient ones suck it up. I used a window unit this summer to cool and barely used it. I used the air more for the dogs then myself. I just need to find an affordable way to heat.

diamondrose · 12-02-2010, 10:10 AM

I thought of some other things we do. My roommate is my best friend. He and I will do laundry together most times, instead of seperate, to save on electricity.

Also, in the day time, I almost never turn on lights. Plus, I sleep during the day so that helps alot.

When I purchased my heating blanket, I bought a twin size one and it fits my full size bed perfectly!

12-02-2010, 09:01 AM	#1
Sachita Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Alpha Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Goddess Relationship Status: Completely in love Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southern Virginia Posts: 3,225 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,564 Thanked 8,993 Times in 2,247 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	Saving Money on Energy- heat, etc. Its that time of year. Like many of you I need to save money and nothing sucks up dollars like heating during the winter. I have to heat my house, my dogs and my greenhouse. Its not uncommon for me to have 500.00 a month in bills, mostly from heating. I'd like to start a thread on saving money. I recently purchased infrared heaters for my home, dogs and greenhouse. (see blog link below) I have to say that I'm impressed with the way these heat and they have come down in price. I need to insulate my pipes better and may very well just run these. I even bought one for the greenhouse. what temp do you keep your home and do you find yourself turning your thermostat way down to save money? tips? ideas? bitching? __________________ You either like me or you don't. It took me Twenty-something years to learn how to love myself, I don't have that kinda time to convince somebody else. ~ Daniel Franzese

12-02-2010, 09:19 AM	#2
katsarecool Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her, Woman Relationship Status: Single Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Between Athens and Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,849 Thanked 1,765 Times in 734 Posts Rep Power: 323366	I can relate!! I am on a limited budget and live in an airy ole house. If I am not careful my bills can get very high as well. To complicate things I have fibromyalgia which means I do not tolerate extreme temps very well or constrictive clothing which is necessary in the winter. Warm comfortable woolen socks are a must. I always wear slippers. What I do is to put up plastic on the inside of my windows as thick as I can get. I also have sealers for the doors. I keep an electric blanket; an energy efficent one. I dress in layers; loose soft warm clothing including thermal underwear in bright sping colors some with flowers and kittens. LOL First thing in the morning I open all the blinds and drapes to let in the sunlight. At dark I close everything up to keep in the heat. I turn off all appliances that are not in use by unplugging the surge protectors because even if they are off while plugged in they still pull power. I keep the thermostat at 68. I lowered the thermostat down on the water heater. There is only me so no need to keep that large thing heating water very hot all the time. I also roll up a small carpet in front of the doors especially at night. Good topic and looking forward to reading how other deal with winter time utlility bills. __________________

12-02-2010, 10:45 AM	#5
Sachita Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Alpha Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Goddess Relationship Status: Completely in love Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southern Virginia Posts: 3,225 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,564 Thanked 8,993 Times in 2,247 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I definitely want to change the windows and doors. I know that will help a lot. I've checked people to install and there are no deals yet. Electric blankets use a lot of power. I also bought a twin. I just ordered coats for my dogs to wear inside. lol- I'm actually contracting a lady to make coats and beds for dogs using crypton fabric. I have a few designs I'm working on. If I can get them warm I'll be ok. I'll be reselling the beds and coats btw & a portion is going towards helping people that are struggling and need help with their pets until they get settled. Most dog coats never stay on when playing. Mine will stay on. I did purchase a fireplace blower but it seemed like it put more smoke in the room. I had a wood stove insert but for that small room it was just too hot. __________________ You either like me or you don't. It took me Twenty-something years to learn how to love myself, I don't have that kinda time to convince somebody else. ~ Daniel Franzese

12-02-2010, 10:21 AM	#7
Sachita Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Alpha Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Goddess Relationship Status: Completely in love Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southern Virginia Posts: 3,225 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,564 Thanked 8,993 Times in 2,247 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I was going around and unplugging everything but its hard to remember and often it means pulling furniture out or climbing behind things. I think someone should come out with an outlet that has a sensor that automatically knows when to kick the power off and on. That would be a real popular item. I have storm windows but they are not great. I'm hoping to start replacing windows window one by one. I'd really love to replace my doors but its an old house and few things are standard here. I'm going to get that yellow foam shit in a can and see if I can button up some pipe draft. They tell me my central air/heat pump is needing to be replaced. I dont think I'm going to do that. It's a power hog and even the energy efficient ones suck it up. I used a window unit this summer to cool and barely used it. I used the air more for the dogs then myself. I just need to find an affordable way to heat. __________________ You either like me or you don't. It took me Twenty-something years to learn how to love myself, I don't have that kinda time to convince somebody else. ~ Daniel Franzese

12-02-2010, 09:54 AM	#3
diamondrose Member How Do You Identify?: . Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 1,384 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2 Thanked 2,895 Times in 923 Posts Rep Power: 13536274	My roommate and I do a few things to try and save on the heating bill. We seal most of our windows but still leave a few open to open during the days when it gets near the 80's, to warm the house. We also let the sunlight in during the day. Since I work nights, I am up alot during the night, so I do most of our cooking late in the evening or at night on the nights I am off. My roommates room is right off the kitchen. Cooking helps warm his side of the house quite a bit. I have a heating blanket on my bed and my roommate has a heater built into his water bed. We keep the heat around 67 degrees.

12-02-2010, 10:28 AM	#4
Diva Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Diva Preferred Pronoun?: Diva Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chez Diva Posts: 11,879 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,263 Thanked 17,174 Times in 5,239 Posts Rep Power: 0	When my Dad passed away, there was money left to bring the house up to snuff in case I wanted to sell it (which I didn't). One of the things I did was have new windows installed.....energy efficient, of course! The difference it's made in my heating/cooling bills is substantial. I went from a nearly-$500 summer bill to a little less than $200. I know. Heating went from $200-ish to just over $100. It has blown me away! I really wanted to put in a tankless water heater, but couldn't justify the cost. I did wind up getting a new water heater which was more energy efficient. My space heater is amazing and I use that until I just can't stay warm. I've used my heat only 2 times so far. My dream would be to put solar panels on my roof.....we have a lot of sun here in Austin! But Diva will have to win the lottery to do that! (And yes....I'd stay in this house if that ever happened! I'd just buy an island somewhere, too! )

12-02-2010, 11:49 AM	#6
DomnNC Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Male Preferred Pronoun?: He/Him Relationship Status: Widow Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Permanently Banned 11/15/2011 Posts: 1,223 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,618 Thanked 2,582 Times in 837 Posts Rep Power: 0	I don't know how many have ceiling fans but there is a switch on your ceiling fan, in the winter time you want to set the switch so your fans turn in a clockwise fashion, that way it forces the warm air that has risen back down towards the floor. In the summertime you set them to run counterclockwise, it will pull the cool air from the floor upwards helping to cool your house as well. As for those pesky outlets hidden behind furniture and what not, buy some timers from your local Lowes or hardware stores and set the timer to turn your surge protector on and off at designated times during the day. Also, caulking those old windows and around old door frames will help keep your warm or cool air inside during the day and night. Also, your power outlets and light switches are a source or heat/cool air loss as well, they make foam rubber backings that you can put behind those outlets and light switches to keep your air loss to a minimal. Also, they have foam wraps for your pipes as well. One other thing, the vents on the outside of your house. You should open those in the summer time allowing hot air to escape from under your home. You should close them in the wintertime to keep cold air from circulating under your house and keeping your floors cold.

12-02-2010, 10:10 AM	#8
diamondrose Member How Do You Identify?: . Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 1,384 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2 Thanked 2,895 Times in 923 Posts Rep Power: 13536274	I thought of some other things we do. My roommate is my best friend. He and I will do laundry together most times, instead of seperate, to save on electricity. Also, in the day time, I almost never turn on lights. Plus, I sleep during the day so that helps alot. When I purchased my heating blanket, I bought a twin size one and it fits my full size bed perfectly!