I Saved By Air Drying My Dishes

Sherry S. submitted on 06.29.10

When running the dish washer, I turn off the heat dryer on the door and when it is finished washing crack the door and let them air dry.

I Saved By Building the Envelope Correctly When I Built the House

John G. submitted on 06.07.10

Since 2001 I have been building the envelopes of new homes using the Department of Energy's suggested best Energy Saving method of construction for the walls, along with the proven best way to keep cold and heat out of the attic, by spraying foam under the roof sheeting plywood and sealing the roof planes to the walls, eliminating soffit vents and creating a non-vented attic.

The walls are C-I-C walls as proven by testing homes constructed by the D.O.E. in these areas: Bakersfield, Minnesota, Atlanta, and South Florida.

For areas of the USA requiring cooling all I had to do is shade the windows on the east and west, while using low E windows throughout.

For areas of the USA requiring heating it is important to minimize windows everywhere. When aesthetics is chosen over energy savings you will benefit by: (1) placing big windows on South side of house and (2) using low E double pane glass windows. Tankless water heaters are used throughout heating and cooling areas.

The homes built like this have these results: 2,380 SF with 9' - 12' ceilings have total energy use of $65.00/month per the 3rd party Case Study. 3,900 SF home has $185.00 total energy use versus their neighbors 'built to FL codes' $485.00 bill or a 500 SF smaller house under more shade, for the same month of August 2009.

These energy bills are typical throughout the USA.

I Saved By Installing CFL Bulbs When the Old-Style Bulbs Burnt Out

Steve submitted on 06.04.10

OLD BULBS: Cost $1 each (at 3 bulbs / year = $3.00 / yr
Last 4 months before replacement.
NEW CFL's: Cost $2.50 each (2.5 times more expensive.
Last over 24 months (6 times longer).
RESULTS:

1. CFL's are cheaper to install (on average).
2. CFL's last 6 times longer.
3. CFL's use 1/4 the amount of energy.
4. Less time is spent on purchase and replacement.

I Saved By Unplugging Anything Not In Use

Cheap Homeowner submitted on 06.01.10

I unplug anything not in use especially televisions or anything that uses a remote. Steady current flows so the remotes will work when you press those buttons. Since I do not use all the rooms on a constant daily basis, even my lamps are unplugged. No more programmable coffee pot either. 2 watt night lights in kitchen and bathroom also. I pull them from the plug socket every morning. I do not use the ones that are light sensitive (turn on when daylight diminishes). Face it, who needs a kitchen fully lit to open an appliance that is going to light up inside anyways.

My bill was over $125 per month (ex-husband wouldn't listen to me) and now, my new bill after divorce is $42 for the month of May! In winter months my bill is in the low $50s. I have been telling people this Unplug trick for years!

I Saved By Not Ironing Clothes

Gladys submitted on 05.28.10

Instead I hang them up and fold them right away the minute they come out of the dryer. Using fabric softener alaso helps with the wrinkles.

I Saved By...

Gladys submitted on 05.27.10

I saw this one on tv. When the family went away for the weekend, one of them turn the refrigerator down 2 levels because it will not be opened as much.

I read this one on a magazine. The blinking lights on phones, computers and other appliances is 15% of your electric bill. So, I shut my computer (and other gadgets)off completely when not in use instead of standby or sleeping mode.

I use air dry instead of heat dry when I'm using my dishwasher.

I don't put fleece materials in the dryer. I air dry them instead since they don't absorb water as much cotton or polyester.

I Saved By Recycling

Shorty submitted on 05.26.10

I recycled pop bottles and cardboard we barley ever throw stuff away unless we can’t recycle it.

I Saved Energy and Money by Making An Effort to Turn Off and UNPLUG Things We Are Not Using at the Time

Linda G. submitted on 05.23.10

My house hold bill dropped about $80. I was thrilled, so I am keeping it up. I also save money with the co-op card all the time. My husbands pharmacy bill was almost 400. every month. Using the Co-op card that was FREE I am saving $320. Every month. No way would I ever forget to check on-line for my discounts. I ask every place I shop in Picayune, and I even get discounts on gas, quickstop pizza, groceries and so much more. Now that is a savings. I love my co-op card and Coast Electric. Thanks so much, we need every dollar we can hold on to.

I Saved Energy and Money by Creating a School Green Team

Jessica S. submitted on 05.21.10

In my middle school in Wake Forest, NC, my friends and I were learning about Global Warming, and the endangering of many animal species. When we watched the movie Earth, it broke all of our hearts. So, my best friend Tyra and I decided to do something about it. Now, we have a website for The Green Teams, 123staygreen.com, and my dad, who works for Trane, is telling me about what we can do to help. Its fun, and we have had a ton of fundraisers for it.

I Saved Energy and Money by Doing Lots of Little Things that Saved Us SO MUCH

Laura A. submitted on 05.21.10

We moved into our apartment in September and started using the heat. Once we got our first large electricity bill we did a few things. Plugged the internet and TV into separate outlets so I can use the internet when I work from home without also plugging in the TV. We stopped using the dishwasher.

I Saved Energy and Money by Having a Geothermal Installed

Karen D. submitted on 05.16.10

Last Oct I had a Geothermal installed in the house. My bill went down a little but with the really cold winter we had . I am very please with what my bills were. I am looking forward to seeing what this summer is going to be like. My next move is new windows all over the house.

I Saved Energy and Money by Cutting Oven Off Early

Karen H. submitted on 05.08.10

In hot weather, I cut back on baking. As much as possible, I bake early in the morning, and then I cut the oven off 5 - 10 minutes early. As long as you don't open the door, the oven retains the heat and will continue the baking process.

I Saved Energy and Money by...

Mark T. submitted on 05.04.10

Cutting way back on electricity for lighting in rooms we are not in at the time. By combining lamps on one circuit or power strip connected to a light switch that you flick whenever you enter or leave the room. By turning computers off at night and unplugging them.

I Saved Energy and Money by...

Mary B. submitted on 04.27.10

using a shower head that adjusts from low to hi flow and drying laundry outside or hanging it inside.

I Saved Energy by Installing a Insulated Storm Door at My Garage Entry Door

Joyce submitted on 04.26.10

The door cost less than $100.00. I could not believe how much air I was losing through a hollow core door leading into my garage.

I Save Energy by Not Using the Drying Cycle

Joyce submitted on 04.14.10

We save energy by not using the drying cycle on the dishwasher,we turn it off when it reaches the drying cycle, and open the door.I towel dry any water on the base of things. I also damp dry [15minutes] my laundry and hangin the house, this also puts moisture in the air in the winter. I line dry the clothes when possible.

I Saved Energy With Insulation & Good Windows

Erin H. submitted on 04.09.10

I just paid the first electricity bill for our new house, and it's $105 less than it was this time last year. Granted, the weather was milder this spring versus last, but I'm still impressed. Our new home is fully twice the size of our old one on the main floor alone, and we had a rate increase in January. We used spray foam insulation, high-quality windows, a Marathon water heater and Energy Star appliances, and it seems to be paying off. We also installed an air-source heat pump, though it's not hooked up yet. I hope to bring you a happy heating story this winter!

I Save Energy By Discovering Our Rating

Charlie M. submitted on 04.07.10

We had our house HERS rated and dropped our energy cost by 50%.

I Save Energy by...

Tim submitted on 04.02.10

sending my daughters to college. Amazing what it can do to your electric bill... bank account is another story.

I Save Energy by Waiting Until 8

Kristine D. submitted on 03.29.10

I wait until after 8 pm or before 8 am to do laundry, run the dishwasher, etc. This has helped me save energy and money.

Looking at Replacing Your Clunky Old Washer or Refrigerator?

TogetherWeSave.com submitted on 03.24.10

Well starting this April, not only would a new ENERGY STAR rated model save you money on your electric bill but you could also score a $250 rebate!

Under the federal stimulus act, the government has allocated $300 million to the states and 7 U.S. territories for appliance rebates. But you have to act fast because the program lasts only as long as the money does.

Eligible trade-ins vary by state and the program is already closed in Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota so check the Department of Energys Approved List of Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs to see whats available in your area.

For even more savings, you may also want to check out the rebates currently available on ENERGY STAR products where you live. Simply use the Rebate Finder on energystar.gov to select the types of products you're interested in, enter your ZIP code, click the "Locate Special Offers/Rebates" button and the Rebate Finder will generate a list of all rebates and special offers currently available.

I Save Energy by Unplugging Around the House

Jim M. submitted on 03.18.10

I've made it a habit to check around the house to see if I've turned off devices that are unnecessarily plugged in. iPod chargers, Playstation, DVD player, the list goes on. I know if it has a light on, even when we aren't using it, it's still drawing power.

My plasma TV and entertainment center are the biggest draw.