I went on a rampage and changed almost all of my lights to the new fluorescent ones a couple of years ago. It cost a bit of money up front but I swear my electric bill dropped $25/month just because of that. Its amazing and with kids who tend to leave bathroom lights on and things like that it pays off. I've only had to replace 2 in that time whereas I was going through regular light bulbs like crazy. We actually have a law here in Ontario that I think by 2012 (not sure the date) regular light bulbs will be banned. You won't be able to buy them, only the compact fluorescent.
How big is your house? - We live in a 935 sq ft apartment
How much do you pay? - For the month of May the bill was $103.75. We haven't gotten the bill for June yet, but that one isn't a good representation since we were gone for 2 weeks of the month.
I know my in-laws were saying that their bills is between $300 and $400 a month and they have a 4400 sq ft. house.
Lynn, one thing someone told me a long time ago for the dishwasher to save quite a bit of energy, especially if you are running it everyday is to put it on air dry, not hot dry. I tend to run my dishwasher when we go to bed, that way when DD puts dishes away in the morning before she goes to school they are completely dry, plus the electricity technically cheaper at non-peak hours. My in-laws said they saw a dramatic drop in their electric bill when they changed to those special lightbulbs, he said yes they are more expensive, but in the long run between the fact that they last longer and take less electricity to run on its worth it.
Just got our bill, $81. It will be a lot higher once we turn on the A/C, but it has been relatively cool thus far. We live in S. Calif with a 2400 sq ft house.
I already do that with my dishwasher (start it at night when I go to bed and let it air dry). I haven't changed any of my light bulbs (and I'm really not comfortable using those with mercury).
So aside from changing the bulbs, I really don't know where we would be able to make simple changes to reduce our electric/gas bill. And in winter it's about $125 higher!
All of you who haven't turned on their ACs yet or very few times...please tell me that you have to use your heater for more than 2 months out of the year. You have to make me feel better.
There is not a month in the year that we do NOT turn on our AC at some point. We might run the heater 10-12 times per year.
My house is 964 sq ft main floor and an additional 900 in the basement (dh's office, laundry, quilting area and tv room). The basement is heated. So approx 1800 sq ft.
Gas bill is $135 per month. This includes heat, hot water, gas clothes dryer and gas stove/oven.
Electric bill runs us an average of $85 per month with June, July and August running us an additional $20-$30 each month.
No, we don't use the heat that much, but everything else in So Cal is so expensive, we have to have a break on something! We lead the nation in gas prices, housing is outrageous and property tax...well it goes on and on.
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Alysha,
I went on a rampage and changed almost all of my lights to the new fluorescent ones a couple of years ago. It cost a bit of money up front but I swear my electric bill dropped $25/month just because of that. Its amazing and with kids who tend to leave bathroom lights on and things like that it pays off. I've only had to replace 2 in that time whereas I was going through regular light bulbs like crazy. We actually have a law here in Ontario that I think by 2012 (not sure the date) regular light bulbs will be banned. You won't be able to buy them, only the compact fluorescent.
Where do you live? - We are in Central Texas
How big is your house? - We live in a 935 sq ft apartment
How much do you pay? - For the month of May the bill was $103.75. We haven't gotten the bill for June yet, but that one isn't a good representation since we were gone for 2 weeks of the month.
I know my in-laws were saying that their bills is between $300 and $400 a month and they have a 4400 sq ft. house.
Mine is running about 120.00 but thats just for me......no one is in my house that much.
I already do that with my dishwasher (start it at night when I go to bed and let it air dry). I haven't changed any of my light bulbs (and I'm really not comfortable using those with mercury).
So aside from changing the bulbs, I really don't know where we would be able to make simple changes to reduce our electric/gas bill. And in winter it's about $125 higher!
Lynn
All of you who haven't turned on their ACs yet or very few times...please tell me that you have to use your heater for more than 2 months out of the year. You have to make me feel better.
There is not a month in the year that we do NOT turn on our AC at some point. We might run the heater 10-12 times per year.
Alysha
I live in New Hampshire.
My house is 964 sq ft main floor and an additional 900 in the basement (dh's office, laundry, quilting area and tv room). The basement is heated. So approx 1800 sq ft.
Gas bill is $135 per month. This includes heat, hot water, gas clothes dryer and gas stove/oven.
Electric bill runs us an average of $85 per month with June, July and August running us an additional $20-$30 each month.
stacy
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