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Old 09-14-2010, 06:39 PM
 
1,054 posts, read 3,851,421 times
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Thanks for the posts. I do think being on 2nd floor is big part of this issue. I am hoping it will be to my benefit in winter. Here's the deal though my neighbor downstairs says it will be cheaper elect for me in winter which I would also assume since heat rises plus the actually air vents are on our ceilings. However I talked to two people at the utilities company ... the customer service lady said it would be cheaper but her manager said it wouldn't.

What really irritated me though is how my downstairs neighbor has an elec bill $20-30 cheaper BUT she runs her A/C on 71 whereas I do 82 and she leaves her screen door to the patio open with the a/c running. I kid you not on that one! She also told me she leaves the lights on all night in a couple of the rooms.

If lighting doesn't equate to much electric usage then would it not make a difference if I bought a lamp I could use a CFL in for the living room instead of using the 6 bulb chandelier?

Do you think computers use much power? I have mine on working some days 12 or more hours a day.
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Old 09-14-2010, 07:58 PM
 
Location: Pomona
1,955 posts, read 10,956,624 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtneer View Post
Do you think computers use much power? I have mine on working some days 12 or more hours a day.
It can add up. While I haven't measured my desktop (dual core) with the kill-a-watt, it feels like a mini space heater, so I'm sure it's using up some energy. OTOH, my laptops typically consume 25-30w.
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Old 09-14-2010, 08:24 PM
 
Location: South of Maine
737 posts, read 1,032,896 times
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Install light switches marked "Off" & "Off"!
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Old 09-14-2010, 08:35 PM
 
Location: in here, out there
3,062 posts, read 7,008,752 times
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Be careful when you unscrew bulbs that are in a sequence. The additional electrical load can get backed up and cause the other bulbs to burst.
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Old 09-14-2010, 09:19 PM
 
28,455 posts, read 85,063,327 times
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Default Where is the icon for ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles22 View Post
Be careful when you unscrew bulbs that are in a sequence. The additional electrical load can get backed up and cause the other bulbs to burst.
"puling your leg"
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Old 09-14-2010, 10:13 PM
 
1,054 posts, read 3,851,421 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Narfcake View Post
It can add up. While I haven't measured my desktop (dual core) with the kill-a-watt, it feels like a mini space heater, so I'm sure it's using up some energy. OTOH, my laptops typically consume 25-30w.

Guess I'm living in the dark ages. I don't have a laptop. Just regular PC with flat screen which has an energy star sticker on screen. I keep the speakers and printer unplugged unless I'm using it.
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Old 09-14-2010, 10:21 PM
 
10,105 posts, read 19,327,910 times
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Unplug your tv and other entertainment equipment when not in use. We keep ours on a power strip for easier access. Also, we unplug our microwave when not in use, the little clock does take power.

But I've found that apartments and condos are real energy hogs. They can use as much energy as a whole house.
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Old 09-15-2010, 03:12 AM
 
Location: South of Maine
737 posts, read 1,032,896 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles22 View Post
Be careful when you unscrew bulbs that are in a sequence. The additional electrical load can get backed up and cause the other bulbs to burst.
Same thing happens when you have a knot in the cord!
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Old 09-15-2010, 03:31 AM
 
35,309 posts, read 52,080,482 times
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When i lived in a mobile home way back when i found out quick that a major draw on the electric was the electric water heater which the previous owner had set at 140 degrees, turning it down to 100 degrees made a big difference in my electric bill.
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Old 09-15-2010, 11:31 AM
 
24 posts, read 87,240 times
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in a strict manner, yes removing bulbs from a fixture will reduce your electricity usage when you turn that light fixture on. But don't expect to notice it in your bill. If you are using incadescent bulbs, you could change the switch to a dimmer instead. Depending on the draw of the bulbs and the dimmer setting you choose, this could give you the same savings without the fixture looking funny from missing bulbs. However, again, you won't notice it on your bill. It's a tiny tiny drop in the bucket.
Instead, buy a water heater blanket for $10 at the hardware store. Then take your vacuum and hit the coils under your refrigerator, do this once a month.
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