With us expecting a baby, paying for a wedding, and trying to save for a house, I am looking to save. Does anyone have any good ideas on how to save on your bills esp. gas and electric? Thanks.
With us expecting a baby, paying for a wedding, and trying to save for a house, I am looking to save. Does anyone have any good ideas on how to save on your bills esp. gas and electric? Thanks.
You can begin by weatherizing your house.
Insulate windows with plastic (they also sell window insulation kits)
Use a towel or draft stopper to keep air from entering through the bottom of your doors.
Use curtains to block drafts from windows.
Use a programmable thermostat to automatically turn down the heat when no one's home and at night when you're under the covers.
Turn down the heat some during the day and wear robes, sweatshirts, etc in the house.
Turn off lights when you leave a room
Turn off the TV at night while you're sleeping.
Insulate pipes (especially water pipes).
Seal any cracks or holes in your walls and floors.
Use compact flourescent light bulbs.
I'm sure others may have more suggestions as well. HTH!
Those are all great suggestions KeepUp. I feel Michelle's pain. These BGE bills have been astronomical. Michelle, we're also purchasing our electricity thru Washington Gas at a flat rate thru the deregulation program. It's still distributed by BGE, and it has been less expensive. We may also start purchasiing our gas thru them very soon.
I am renting. I have a huge place and I typically rely on space heaters. My bill skyrocketed when I started using heat. I am on budget billing but I have to crackdown again.
Michelle, if your gas and electric bills give you any hardship, you may qualify for energy assistance: [url=http://www.bge.com/portal/site/bge/menuitem.3b4b1b0351c1eadaec8f1457025166a0/]http://www.bge.com/portal/site/bge/menuitem.3b4b1b0351c1eadaec8f1457025166a0/[/url]
its also a good idea to make sure you turn things off rather than leaving them on standby!! And I looove keepups suggestions- I am already doing a couple of them and they make such a difference- eg just a towel under the door!!
Thank you, ladies. I am not behind or anything but I am committed to living with in my means so i am always looking for ways to save and use less. I read that you can put a dry towel in with your wet ones to help absorb the water and have the items dry faster.
The electric water heater is typically among the largest users of electricity. If you can't yet switch to a solar or "on-demand" water heater, just turn it off when you're not using it.
For a small investment ($25-$50 at hardware stores), you can buy an electric timer for your water heater and set it to do something like the following:
On at 5:30am
Off at 7:30am (or whenever you leave)
On at 5:00pm
Off at 10:pm (or whenever you go to sleep)
Some of the timers allow you to set different schedules for the weekends as well. Make sure you tell the hardware store what kind of water heater you have so they can give you one that's rated for an appropriate amperage.
With us expecting a baby, paying for a wedding, and trying to save for a house, I am looking to save. Does anyone have any good ideas on how to save on your bills esp. gas and electric? Thanks.
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You can begin by weatherizing your house.
Insulate windows with plastic (they also sell window insulation kits)
Use a towel or draft stopper to keep air from entering through the bottom of your doors.
Use curtains to block drafts from windows.
Use a programmable thermostat to automatically turn down the heat when no one's home and at night when you're under the covers.
Turn down the heat some during the day and wear robes, sweatshirts, etc in the house.
Turn off lights when you leave a room
Turn off the TV at night while you're sleeping.
Insulate pipes (especially water pipes).
Seal any cracks or holes in your walls and floors.
Use compact flourescent light bulbs.
I'm sure others may have more suggestions as well. HTH!
Those are all great suggestions KeepUp. I feel Michelle's pain. These BGE bills have been astronomical. Michelle, we're also purchasing our electricity thru Washington Gas at a flat rate thru the deregulation program. It's still distributed by BGE, and it has been less expensive. We may also start purchasiing our gas thru them very soon.
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I am renting. I have a huge place and I typically rely on space heaters. My bill skyrocketed when I started using heat. I am on budget billing but I have to crackdown again.
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Space heaters use so much electricity. Wow, aside from what my sisters have shared with you, I cannot add anything else. Sorry
Michelle, if your gas and electric bills give you any hardship, you may qualify for energy assistance: [url=http://www.bge.com/portal/site/bge/menuitem.3b4b1b0351c1eadaec8f1457025166a0/]http://www.bge.com/portal/site/bge/menuitem.3b4b1b0351c1eadaec8f1457025166a0/[/url]
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its also a good idea to make sure you turn things off rather than leaving them on standby!! And I looove keepups suggestions- I am already doing a couple of them and they make such a difference- eg just a towel under the door!!
Thank you, ladies. I am not behind or anything but I am committed to living with in my means so i am always looking for ways to save and use less. I read that you can put a dry towel in with your wet ones to help absorb the water and have the items dry faster.
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I o unplug things that I am not using. I actualy did well with the space heater as I only used on e in the room that I was in at the time.
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You can also visit your utility company's website. They usually offer tips to save energy & money.
Delight yourself in The Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart!Ps 37
The electric water heater is typically among the largest users of electricity. If you can't yet switch to a solar or "on-demand" water heater, just turn it off when you're not using it.
For a small investment ($25-$50 at hardware stores), you can buy an electric timer for your water heater and set it to do something like the following:
On at 5:30am
Off at 7:30am (or whenever you leave)
On at 5:00pm
Off at 10:pm (or whenever you go to sleep)
Some of the timers allow you to set different schedules for the weekends as well. Make sure you tell the hardware store what kind of water heater you have so they can give you one that's rated for an appropriate amperage.
Fabulous suggestion Eloi! Thanks!
Delight yourself in The Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart!Ps 37