Reducing My Utilities Bills tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1272360 2009-09-27T21:03:11-07:00 All about ways I am trying to reduce my utilities bills in particular my electric bill. I am looking to exchange ideas successes/failures to help others. I would like to save on electric, gas, telephone, gasoline and water... I want the ideas mostly to be DIY although many larger ones may not be. So, even people with a very modest budget can help themselves financially (save money), help the country be more energy independent and help the environment in a cost effective manner. I am occasionally venting at the politics on both sides of the spectrum and what they are doing to make it harder for many families to do things that save them money and help the environment. Also I am trying to promote energy independence for the United States as good for the country, the enviroment and the people. But, I want it done in a way that does not punish hard working people and families. I want to start with my own home and my long term goal is to not pay any utilies bills for my home and produce enough extra to pay me to cover additional costs and CO2. To make that reasonably possible I am working to reduce my family's power use while maintaining a good standard of living. Showing that good family economics and and the enviroment can work together well. TypePad Too long since I posted last... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8345214fe69e20120a5f995dd970c 2009-09-27T21:03:11-07:00 2009-09-27T21:03:11-07:00 Not much new on the project front. I am eyeing replacing our kitchen fridge over the next few months. I am hoping to keep the cost below $1500 while getting the highest effienciency I can in our size needs. It... Aaron Baranoff

Not much new on the project front.

I am eyeing replacing our kitchen fridge over the next few months. I am hoping to keep the cost below $1500 while getting the highest effienciency I can in our size needs. It should help the electric bill which was the highest it has been in in 2 years (over $440 dollars). The problem is that the tempature here has been at records all month. Also, since the kids and my wife's schedule mean someone is home nearly all day.

After I take care of a few other expenses I am hoping in the next few years to put solar on the house also replace the AC units with more effiencent models.

Aaron

Hoping the weather cools off.

Happy Earth Day... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-65906757 2009-04-22T21:03:43-07:00 2009-04-22T21:03:43-07:00 On this earth day help yourself and the earth by saving money by saving energy. On this earth day (and every other) instead of donating to politics or religion invest that money in yourself and mankind and the earth by... Aaron Baranoff

On this earth day help yourself and the earth by saving money by saving energy.

On this earth day (and every other) instead of donating to politics or religion invest that money in yourself and mankind and the earth by investing in enery savings for yourself and you community. Unlike politians the money will help you and the enviroment and unlike religion they will not be trying to convert others to thier beliefs. You will be show people how to improve thier own lives while doing something good for the enviroment and yours and thier wallets.

Aaron

 My lowest bill ever in this house tag:typepad.com,2003:post-64739961 2009-03-27T13:55:12-07:00 2009-03-27T13:55:12-07:00 2 Years ago: 37.29 Last year: 30.13 This year: 24.73 Look at the Average Daily KWH progress accourd to my electric bill. $126 for my electric... my lowest bill ever in this house. Aaron Baranoff

2 Years ago: 37.29 Last year: 30.13 This year: 24.73

Look at the Average Daily KWH progress accourd to my electric bill.

$126 for my electric... my lowest bill ever in this house.

 

 Where is all my electricity going?!? tag:typepad.com,2003:post-64485297 2009-03-22T21:24:43-07:00 2009-03-22T21:24:43-07:00 Well now that I have mad so much progress, on non air conditioning months my kitchen fridge uses 101KWH per month which is more then an 8th of my usage last month. My garage fridge which was bought much more... Aaron Baranoff

Well now that I have mad so much progress, on non air conditioning months my kitchen fridge uses 101KWH per month which is more then an 8th of my usage last month.

My garage fridge which was bought much more recently uses less then 18 KWH per month.

Aaron

 6 candelabra style light bulbs replaced tag:typepad.com,2003:post-64434561 2009-03-20T22:57:28-07:00 2009-03-20T22:57:28-07:00 Costco sold these 40 Watt equivalent led light candelabra bulbs. $19 dollars for 3 bulbs. I replaces all of them on a chandelier in our entry area these bulb are physically a pain to replace and my wife and kids... Aaron Baranoff

Costco sold these 40 Watt equivalent led light candelabra bulbs.  $19 dollars for 3 bulbs. I replaces all of them on a chandelier in our entry area these bulb are physically a pain to replace and my wife and kids leave them on often. Since the fixture defuses the light I though this would be another good place.

The bulbs definately meet the light need now to see what the family says. One minor note on ALL the led bulbs after you turn them off 95% of the light goes away insteadly but the remaining takes a while to stop glowing. My guess is there is a cap that takes its time discharging.

I am hoping that eventually the prices on LED bulbs will drop even further and they will be a viable replacement for all lights, until them I will focus on the ones that don't automatically shut off.

When I can find a 75 to 100 watt replacement for recessed lights which has a cool while light at a reasonable price I have 20 of them I would like to use to replace. And if there are smaller ones that I could use in ceiling fans that are dimmable then I can use 8 of them.

Aaron

 One very small step backwards (my Natural Gas usage was higher) tag:typepad.com,2003:post-64392929 2009-03-19T22:26:23-07:00 2009-03-19T22:26:23-07:00 I know it is statistically vey small but, it is the 1st year over year in a while that was not an improvement. 2.25 Therms per day this year vs 2.17 therms per day last year. Aaron Aaron Baranoff

I know it is statistically vey small but, it is the 1st year over year in a while that was not an improvement.

2.25 Therms per day this year vs 2.17 therms per day last year.

Aaron

 LED bulbs (kids and I like, wife does not) tag:typepad.com,2003:post-64243183 2009-03-16T21:13:11-07:00 2009-03-16T21:13:11-07:00 My wife seems to be willing to live with them in unoccupied areas such as the laundry room and the kids bath also the outside light but, nowhere else. The color is different and she does not care for it.... Aaron Baranoff

My wife seems to be willing to live with them in unoccupied areas such as the laundry room and the kids bath also the outside light but, nowhere else.

The color is different and she does not care for it. So, until the light quality and brightness improve future, no more of these. Hopefully soon I can make further progress.

Aaron

PS I saw them ones in COSTCO but, they are too big for my light fixtures.

 More LED based light bulbs bought... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-64076263 2009-03-14T00:12:58-07:00 2009-03-14T00:12:58-07:00 The 1st ones my kids think are cool. Now the laundry room both lights are LED and one of the lights in the kids bathroom. The next group I think will go on the porch light and/or the master bathroom... Aaron Baranoff

The 1st ones my kids think are cool. Now the laundry room both lights are LED and one of the lights in the kids bathroom. The next group I think will go on the porch light and/or the master bathroom eventually I want all the non-occupancy sensor based lights to be LED based. But, I am not ready for these specific bulbs in the kitchen, hopefully in the next year or two I can get lights that are a bit brighter and not quite as narrow.

For now I prioritize the ones that are not occupancy sensor attached and are left one often by my wife and kids.

Aaron

 The LED bulbs are in... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-63964843 2009-03-11T19:39:34-07:00 2009-03-11T19:39:34-07:00 I installed one in the kids bathroom in a ressessed light, one in the guest bedroom in a directional fixture that sits on a dresser and the last will replace one of the bulbs in the laundry room. All these... Aaron Baranoff

I installed one in the kids bathroom in a ressessed light, one in the guest bedroom in a directional fixture that sits on a dresser and the last will replace one of the bulbs in the laundry room.

All these rooms do not have occupancy sensor light switchs and all these rooms I find the kids or my wife leave the lights on.

Aaron 

 Wind at homes... tag:typepad.com,2003:post-63764067 2009-03-06T20:57:16-08:00 2009-03-06T20:57:16-08:00 Since wind turbines are cheap (relative to solar panels) I would like to see them get protection from home owners associations and government agency so home owners could put them on their homes without the heachaches. Combined with a solar... Aaron Baranoff

Since wind turbines are cheap (relative to solar panels) I would like to see them get protection from home owners associations and government agency so home owners could put them on their homes without the heachaches. Combined with a solar panel that would offer more power cheaper with a better time spread over the day.

Aaron