[quote=FoamFinger1]A few tricks I used on the old man’s house, cut the bill in half.
1. Get rid of second fridge. Any money saved purchasing discount food stuff will be off set by freezer/fridge exps.
2. Dial back pool pump hours. No heat on pool during off season.
3. Check temp on hot water tank. Usually too hot wasting energy. Also, install insulating blanket.
4. The misc electronics; radios, stereos, tv, vcr ect, should be plugged to a power strip, then all power shut off. Trickle or phantom loads draw small amounts b/c of memory & remote functions… Just flip the switch to that group of electronics you will use, otherwise keep off all other times.
5. Cooling a hot house requires way too much energy. Install plenty of attic fans. Close off extra rooms.
6. Run clothes/dish washers on cold water cycle. Hang more clothes to dry. (you have an extra warm house yes?)
7. Window covering for the sunny side of house should block heat and light. Check seals for leaks/drafts.
8. A three story? With proper venting, you should be able to create a draft to cool the house.
9. You could itemize each appliance down to each light bulb, or do a room by room. Close off one room, no use what so ever. Unplug everything, measure the difference month to month. isolate exps.
10. Compare old useage from one two three years. When did it spike? New tv’s are energy hogs. Anything with a remote or memory or digital function will draw a trickle when not in use.
Good Luck.
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To add #3, consider buying a hot water heater blanket from home depot or something, especially if the tank is outside the house in a garage or external closet.
For allergies, i use this. Loud, but does wonders.
