Since we have met with two of the three solar companies...we also did an 'energy' audit. It was interesting. We will be adding more insulation to the attic in the fall, replacing all weather stripping around the doors, also adding insulating blockers to all outside wall switches.

The solar is very interesting...however...it is $$$ up front. All of the grant money and tax advantages have expired for this year. Hopefully there will be more money for next year. We may still do it on a limited level if there is no more grant money offered.

Also....we will be replacing our fridge with a more energy efficient one. Frankly....clothes dryers are just not energy efficient and I will continue to hang out our clothes. I have also purchases two indoor racks for the winter.

Unfortunately, I heat with oil...gas is not available to us. But apparently we have one of the most efficient furnances available at this time. By turning the heat back (which is what we did last year) we used less fuel than the year before. Over the summer, we turned down our hot water tank, ran the dishwasher less, took shorter showers....and just got a fill and from March to July I only used 50 gallons!! Not too shabby at all. Keep in mind our heat was still on in Mar and part of April.

My last electric bill was $200 less than my neighbors. I am very happy....VERY HAPPY. We really have watched and we don't 'waste' electric. Unplugging all computers and electrical appliances (with the excepting of the fridge) when not in use....changing all light bulbs, turning off lights, and not using our air conditioner...has made a tremendous impact.
It really has become 'second nature' and has not been hard at all.

As I say.... if you are not using it...UNPLUG IT.

The new war on the front is FOOD!! The past two week we have fallen off the wagon. We are doing some painting, cleaning and moving furniture around. I have been so tired that I have not wanted to cook. So not only have our diets been in the garbage but my food budget as well. AS soon as the next room is done (which is by the weekend) it back to the keeping the food budget in line again. So basically...what I have saved in electric and doing the remodeling ourselves we have spent in food!

FW

My biggest money saver: I changed jobs a couple of years ago. Instead of a long drive to work I can now walk. Saving: Approximately £ 23 a day!

Lorchen

Wow, cutting back on using the dryer is really paying off--we used way less electricity last month than we did a year ago. The only thing I'm using it for now is for the towels.

Pat in Rockport, TX

DH works at the ANG base about 10 miles from the house. This morning, he started riding his bike to work. I made him take the cell phone-just in case.
I was going to drive to the bank this afternoon, but after talking to him realized that I have to go to PT across the street from the bank, so we can incorporate both into one trip. Also, if we need anything from the supermarket, we can pick it up on the way home.

There's a farmers market over in the next village every Thursday during the day. Maybe next week I'll have DD drive me over there. I want to see what they have that can save me some money plus support the local farms.

eileenkny

We met with the first Solar company. It is very interesting and will be over time cost saving.
This is a tip that he suggested: UNPLUG everything which is NOT in use. Lights, dryer, cell phone charger if you are not charging. Go in room...and look at what is in the plugs. If you are not turning it on...unplug it. This includes the TV and computers. He said we should see a difference in our bill for the next reading.
It is called 'leaking electricity'. You could save up to 26% of your electric bill by eliminating 'leaking' electric. It is not enough to have the off switch because the item is considered on standby.

SO...last night we unplugged all TVs, cable boxes, computers, lights that we in rooms where we are not.

FW

Sometimes I 'spin' my towels for about 5 minutes and they fluff up.

If you live in the cooler climate in the winter time, hanging your laundry inside adds humidity to the air. The humidity in the air makes the heat in the house feel warmer.

Conserving energy and money is nothing new. Our parents and grandparents did it. Frankly, I am feeling better about what I am doing. After looking at ways to save money and environment, I am ashamed of how much I have wasted in my past.

I am happy to say that both my husband and son are on board and doing their part.

FW

When we got back Wednesday, I had laundry to do, of course, so Thursday morning, DH went to Wally World and bought 3 of the old-fashioned wooden drying racks. I set them up in the living room (the humidity is usually 80 or 90 here, so outdoors would take forever) and dried everything but the towels. I like the fluffyness that the dryer brings out on towels. I'll be interested to see how much this will help with our electric bills.

Pat in Rockport, TX

Not so much a money saving tip...but a recycling tip:

Save your packing peanuts when you have a bag full take them to your local UPS store. They will gladly take them!!

FW

Mandy,
I did exactly what you're talking about the other day. I had to drive 2 hours for a longarm meeting. I used the fresh air vents and only turned on the AC when I absolutely had to. Unfortunately, I got stuck in some very slow moving traffic and that blew any savings I had.
Eileen

Actually....I cannot wait to SELL BACK the power I generate and don't use to the electric company!! Then remind my neighbors they are buying my power!!!
My roof has sun from morning till evening....so it is perfect for panels. We have southern exposure on the back which is the best.
Since it is just two of us here most of the time...suspect we will be having energy credits due to us.

Thrift store shopping....the greatest!!! I have found some great stuff...designer dresses....china....sewing machines...books....you name it...we check the resale stores first!!

FW

Think of all the energy you will save your neighbors when you install those solar panels and start drying your laundry indoors! After what will they have to complain about and they won't be able to make any phone calls to do it. By the way son's new amp is REALLY LOUD! Police were call on us again last night at 7:30 pm. I reminded him that the noise ordinance isn't in effect until 9:30 pm. He asked if I would at least turn it down. It was already on 1! :shock: He didn't believe me until I showed him but I did have my son play the guitar without the amp to keep the neighbors happy. They then had a party and a drunken brawl until 3:00 am. I can't win. Rachel

When we are in Minneapolis, there is a thrift store about one mile from us. Tuesday is customer appreciation day and everything in the store is 25%. Since I am also doing the Artist's Way, I made this morning my "Artist's Date" and went to the thrift store. I spent $27 but came home with a ceramic wine/vinegar bottle (missing its cork but great for a gift already have the recipient picked out) about ten picture frames that I can use to put my silk ribbon or brazilian embroidery in and use for gifts, a small suitcase, a silver mesh like scarf (Plan to use it in a fish quilt)and some fabric. I have so many ideas as how to use the stuff so off we go and who knows where this little journey will end but I know that in the end everything will be put to use and I will have hundreds of dollars worth of gifts for my friends and relatives. Cheap maybe not FRUGAL IS MY MIDDLE NAME!!!!!!

ANN

WARNING
Keep your children off the sidewalks and shut your shades...my laundry is on my clothes line on the back porch!!!

SO...the next couple of weeks...I have meetings with solar power companies. We are looking to place solar panels on our roof to cut our electric bills. It will not be cheap...but with State and Federal tax breaks and some grant money from the state...we will come out fine. I am betting with increased energy costs the savings be recouped in a shorter time. Plus it is a selling point with the house.

My gutter rain barrels come in two weeks.

FW

I had the speed fight with my dh the other day. I was driving on the interstate and set the cruise at 70 - which is the local speed limit. We got passed a few times and he started griping that I needed to speed up and quit driving like a slow poke! He seems to think if anyone is not driving at least 5-10 mph above the speed limit they are somehow a hazard to the other "normal" drivers. I told him that when I am driving I am trying to save us some gas, so get used to it buster! I also tried using the recirculate feature in my car instead of running the air conditioner full time, but in my car the recirculater is connected to the compresser, so whenever you turn it on it AUTOMATICALLY runs the air conditioner, even if the air conditioner is on supposed to be off - GRRRRR! So I just leave the regular air on till its cool, then turn it off for a while, and then back on...

Here is an air conditioner tidbit some of you may not know though, and it is true and scientifically documented. If you are on the highway at speeds over 55 mph it is actually MORE fuel efficient to roll up your windows and run the air than to run with the windows down. The windows down causes excess drag on the vehicle and lowers fuel efficiency at high speeds. This does NOT apply to lower speed travel though, so as a rule if you are slower than 55 get those windows down and turn off the AC, but if you are faster enjoy it!