I'm trying to save on my electric bill. IDEAS APPRECIATED!!!

[biteme]

My electric bill was 270$ one month. It averages around 200$. Way too high. My brother has a bigger home and his electric bill is much lower. I suspect it's because I have poor insulation. No insulation in the attic. Don't know how much this would help. Anyway, I'm freezing my ass off right now, because I'm determined to save money. Do space heaters use much energy? All I need is 1 or 2 for the areas of the house that I spend the most time in. Or are the near the equivalent of running the electric heater?

 

[jerkbox]

space heaters will probably consume more energy

do you do the plastic sheeting on your windows? that's cheap

storm windows?

are the seals on the windows in good condition?

insulation in the attic is a big thing...i'm not up on the cost of insulation these days

 

[bluepeter]

My electric bill was 270$ one month. It averages around 200$. Way too high. My brother has a bigger home and his electric bill is much lower. I suspect it's because I have poor insulation. No insulation in the attic. Don't know how much this would help. Anyway, I'm freezing my ass off right now, because I'm determined to save money. Do space heaters use much energy? All I need is 1 or 2 for the areas of the house that I spend the most time in. Or are the near the equivalent of running the electric heater?

Insulation would help enormously. Also, open the blinds/curtains in your house that face the sun in the morning and close them when the sun passes around the other side. Do the same for the blinds that face the sun in the afternoon. Keep them shut at night to keep the heat you have gleaned in the house as much as possible. Caulking around doors and windows to keep drafts out will help. Running space heaters will not save you any electricity/money.

 

[The Ranger]

First and foremaost you need to insulate the attic....Lowes has cheap blow in insulation and you can rent their blower for a 50$ deposite which they return when you bring it back....as mentioned place plastic on the outside of all windows to cut down on drafts and escaping heat...

Go buy great stuff, it's a foam insulation and fill in all holes in your crawl space and attic.....

This should help alot, but insulating the attic is a must....

Ranger

 

[WODIN]

As ranger said, and also cover your windows and get a humidifier.

You can set your thermostats at 68 - 70 with a humidifier and get the same impact as setting them at 72 - 74.

 

[biteme]

Thanks guys! Now I have something else to put on my list of things to do. This one is costing me money, so I need to get on it.

 

[The Ranger]

Around 200 bucks for insulation and a savings of 50$ plus on your bill...do the math, a great investment....

Ranger

 

[bran987]

Some utility companies offer incentives to make your house more efficient. They will also give reduced rates to you if you agree to accept energy cutbacks during peak usage times. Also, check out government low cost loan programs & gov't grants to owners who upgrade to conserve energy.
in addition to caulking, a storm door or the window suggestions above, wrap your water heater with insulation as well if it isn't already

 

[Devastation]

close the vents in the rooms you don't go in often and keep those doors shut. also playing lots of video games, xbox ps2, turbo grafx 16 consumes alot of electricity. and quit using the hair dryer. it's not good for your hair anyway

 

[bran987]

tubrografx!!!!!!!!11