We ALL have more appliances and gadgets these days. Here are some tips on how to keep your "electricity guzzlers" in check and save a few dollars every month.
Turning off TVs and Computers when they aren't in use, can save you money.
Desktop computers use 60 to 250 watts of electricity - turn off your computer and monitor when you're not using them.
A Laptop Computer uses 15 to 45 watts of electricity an hour - consider using a laptop instead of a desktop computer.
Computers use 1 to 6 watts in standby mode - set your computer to auto-sleep instead of using a screensaver - screensavers do not save electricity.
Use power strips for your home electronics - turn the power strips off when you're not using the TV, DVD, etc. Even in standby mode, home electronics use several watts of electricity.
Unplug the cell phone charger(s) when you're not charging your cell phone - even when it's not charging your cell phone, it is using electricity.
Use an electric fan. They cost less than .01 an hour to run; and when you use it with air conditioning, fans can improve your comfort level by 8 to 10 degrees.
Check the water heater for leaks and for property thermostat setting. The recommended temperature for our area is 140 degrees. Use a meat thermometer under hot running water to check the temperature.
Replace high-wattage incandescent bulbs with low-wattage compact fluorescent lights (CFL).
Change the filer on the heating and cooling system twice a month during warm summer months.
If your air conditioning system is 15 to 20 years old, consider replacing it. Check out CPS Energy air conditioning rebates at cpseergy.com.
Do you have some energy saving tips you'd like to share? Add them in the comment section and I'll include them on this list.
When buying or selling a home in North Central, North East or North West San Antonio, TX, you deserve local expertise and advice. Judi Morgan-Castete provides full time, professional real estate services to buyers, sellers, corporate and military transferees in San Antonio, Stone Oak, Canyon Springs, Shavano and Shavano Park, Castle Hills, Rogers Ranch, Helotes, Sonoma Ranch, Alamo Ranch, Red Bird Ranch, The Dominion, Leon Valley and more. Copyright 2011. Judi Morgan-Castete, All rights reserved.
Judi, I can't wait until we can purchase inexpensive solar powered power strips. We have lights on and the sun shining in the windows. Let the sun/light power stuff!
Good evening Judi. I noticed a post earlier on the importance of maintaining your electric water heater. Can make a big difference.
Kathy, low cost Solar Power would be nice -- especially where you and I live. We both live in areas with LOTS of sunshine and it would be nice to be able to put all that Solar Energy to use.
Hi Randy, we definitely need to maintain our Water Heaters -- Electric or Gas. I'll have to see if I can find the post about that here.
Thank you both for stopping by and commenting. :)
Well howdy Miss Judi - Glad to see you back here at Active Rain and with one of your money saving blogs for folks. How about some of those new kinda "energy saving light bulbs" CFL'a? Ceil turns off the dry cycle on the diswasher. How about hanging your clothes on the clothesline, you can sure save that way and not have to use your clothes dryer.
Be sure to stop by Dale's Wild Wednesday Group - I know Dale, myself, Yolanda and Ricki have posted blogs that you might enjoy. Don't forget to come by my Hill Country Inspector Group.
Come back soon and bring us another one of your great blogs.
C&C
Judi - Excellent information and tips about save electricity on appliances and gadgets. Thank you for the detailed quality blog.
Hello, Judi. Good tips on conserving energy and money. The furnace and AC are off right now though it's cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon. I'll have to remember to turn off certain electronics completely. Great to see you around again. :)
Hey there Carl & Ceil -- I found two posts in my AR Drafts -- I deleted one and updated and posted this one. Have no idea how I forgot about them -- 'sometimers' setting in, I guess. LOL
I did join the Wild Wednesday Group and will stop by there when I'm here on AR.
John, Thanks for stopping by to read my post. I've been AWOL from AR for awhile and trying to get my blog going again. :)
Yolanda, Thank you. Our furnance has been off for a long time -- unfortunately, the minute the furnace was turned off, the AC was turned on. I have to remember to turn off the electronics and unplug the small appliances that aren't being used.
Judi- Excellent article. I like reading the post about ways to conserve energy and save money. You know some of these items we know about them bu really don't think about the maintence until we start having problems. It's good to re-fresh or re-visit these blogs. Good job.
Stephanie, thanks for stopping by to read and comment.
Wow...I had heard this but did not realize there were so many gadgets draining electricity while running up the bill!
Thank you for sharing your blog; we need Real estate Professionals to share their comments and information regarding their markets and experiences. Thanks again from beautiful Colorado