Saving Money on Energy- heat, etc.

[Glenn]

Originally Posted by Sachita

the outlet insulators are great and cheap. I couldn't believe the cold air blowing from them.

I know they're cheap, but why buy em? I'll just take off the plate and trace and cutout the outline over those thin foam trays that hold meat and dfferent food. As for window insulation, I have over 100 windows in my house, and I bought those 8x10 2 inch thick styrofoam insulation sheets for less than 10 dollars. No nails or screws, easy to cut to fit in the window snug, easy to store, can be reused year after year.

i have large, old windows in my house, no centrl AC or heat. i have winow Ac's in two of the rooms and several ciling fans. in the summer, i run only one window AC, depending upon which room i'm in. in the winter, i keep the termostat turned way down and pile the blankets on when i'm in bed and waer laots of layers when i'm not! plus, my heating bill has been outrageously low, prob. due to the fact that the meter readers couldn't get the termotstat! *grin* however, my mother jus had the bushes trimmed and the trimmers trimmed a nice walkway to the meter, so i'm expecting the gas bill to go way up this month! we shall see!
pres

[Glenn]

Originally Posted by Pres

i have large, old windows in my house, no centrl AC or heat. i have winow Ac's in two of the rooms and several ciling fans. in the summer, i run only one window AC, depending upon which room i'm in. in the winter, i keep the termostat turned way down and pile the blankets on when i'm in bed and waer laots of layers when i'm not! plus, my heating bill has been outrageously low, prob. due to the fact that the meter readers couldn't get the termotstat! *grin* however, my mother jus had the bushes trimmed and the trimmers trimmed a nice walkway to the meter, so i'm expecting the gas bill to go way up this month! we shall see!
pres

Well, what you don't want is an estimated bill in my town because they may charge you 500 a month for only 300 in actual useage if the reader can't make it out. So if I know it's gonna snow or get super cold, I'll call in my own reading so I don't get that estimated bill!

[Gemme]

I live in a studio. It's so darn small that, even if I run the heat or air constantly, it's never high.

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by Gemme

I live in a studio. It's so darn small that, even if I run the heat or air constantly, it's never high.

I live in Southern California. Close enough for an ocean breeze in summer, and warm sun in the winter. I have a gas fireplace in the living room I have never used.

I do wear socks in the winter because the hardwood floors and tile get cold.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by Tommi

I live in Southern California. Close enough for an ocean breeze in summer, and warm sun in the winter. I have a gas fireplace in the living room I have never used.

I do wear socks in the winter because the hardwood floors and tile get cold.

Our lease is up in February here and we're looking for a place with hardwood (or fakewood...either or) and/or tile and/or laminate. NO. MORE. CARPET.

Blech.

Besides, I like to do the Risky Business slide while in socks.

[katsarecool]

My second laugh of the day Gemme; both from you!!! LOL

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by Gemme

Our lease is up in February here and we're looking for a place with hardwood (or fakewood...either or) and/or tile and/or laminate. NO. MORE. CARPET.

Blech.

Besides, I like to do the Risky Business slide while in socks.

I can just seeeeee you. I can . I can see you grinning and sliding.

Yeah on moving soon. Good luck on everything by the way.

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by Pres

i have large, old windows in my house, no centrl AC or heat. i have winow Ac's in two of the rooms and several ciling fans. in the summer, i run only one window AC, depending upon which room i'm in. in the winter, i keep the termostat turned way down and pile the blankets on when i'm in bed and waer laots of layers when i'm not! plus, my heating bill has been outrageously low, prob. due to the fact that the meter readers couldn't get the termotstat! *grin* however, my mother jus had the bushes trimmed and the trimmers trimmed a nice walkway to the meter, so i'm expecting the gas bill to go way up this month! we shall see!
pres

I'm surprised they didnt make you trim them long ago. Utility companies have a right away in order to provide service. I had a situation with a tree once and rather then move the pole they were able to cut the tree. I could have fought it but I would have been the one out of pocket.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by Sachita

This is very true. I would love to find something that make me laugh really hard and often. Any ideas?

Comedy Central? *grin*

Originally Posted by Tommi

I can just seeeeee you. I can . I can see you grinning and sliding.

Yeah on moving soon. Good luck on everything by the way.

Thank you!

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by popcorninthesofa

I know they're cheap, but why buy em? I'll just take off the plate and trace and cutout the outline over those thin foam trays that hold meat and dfferent food. As for window insulation, I have over 100 windows in my house, and I bought those 8x10 2 inch thick styrofoam insulation sheets for less than 10 dollars. No nails or screws, easy to cut to fit in the window snug, easy to store, can be reused year after year.

lol- have at it! They are cheap enough, save enough, cost effective enough for me. The time I spend tracing, cutting and such I can make three times that working and I'm giving someone else a job. Maybe IF I ate meats and such that had Styrofoam I might be so inclined to recycle but I purposely try not to purchase products that use it.

The sheets of thick Styrofoam you put in the window, doesnt that block the light? I'm lucky that I dont have a lot of windows, I guess, when it comes to winter. I'm going to install some sliding glass doors to let more light in but I'm waiting to save and get the super duper double argon pane doors.

[Passionaria]

Here in Austin we need more cooling than heating. We also have Austin Energy that has special programs to help people get solar panels installed for their homes. It's cool, Austin is really into supporting people putting in Solar panels. If I owned a home, I would used a combination of solar, and a soapstone wood burning stove! They are fabulous, from Sweden originally I believe.



http://www.virginiaradiant.com/index.html

http://www.vermontwoodstove.com/massivewoodstove.htm

I use lined drapes. Lots of them. Velvet is fabulous, and heavy. I have picture windows in every room, and that helps me a lot. I also do the regular things like only doing full loads of laundry, full dishwasher loads, and if I had a choice I would have one of the Flash heat, tank-less water heaters. My apartment is around 1100 sq feet, and my energy bill is 30-50$/ month year round.

I never leave the heater or air conditioner on for long, just long enough to get comfortable, then I turn it off and use the overhead fans.

[Sachita]

I have so many drafts in my old house its not even funny. Someone I dated years ago, a true handy butch, is going to help me start sealing it up. I have a fireplace and even thought about a blower but the cost of wood and health risk of burning wood for me and my animals isn't worth it. I did some research and cost and it seems like a wood pellet insert might be best for me. It burns cleaner and the pellets don't cost that much. Does anyone have experience with this?

I also purchased two of infrared heaters. I am using smaller ones now and happy to say you do save money. I literally watch the meter spin when the heat pump is on.

I was talking to a friend and they told me their electric for a 2000 sq ft house, 3 kids was 600.00!!!! Thats insane. I don't know how older people & people on a fixed income can do it. If I didnt help my mom with some bills she couldn't afford to heat her house.