thatdjsnow
Well-Known Member
I've discussed this matter with many people on here - but usually in threads meant for other things. 
So, I figured I'd make a thread here in the Newbie section that might help some people. Let me know if there is anything I have forgotten and I will add it to the list. (credit given of course!)
1 ) Replace all regular house bulbs (Incandescents) with a comparable CFL bulb - 9-23w CFLs should cover all of your homes' 25-60w Incandescents. CFLs put out the same amount of Lumens (visible light) for less power used (money).
2 ) Unplug all electronics not being used, instead of turning them off or putting them on standby. All electronics pull power even when off, just as electronics drain batteries even when the device isn't on! (shitty huh?) So remember, unplug those PS3s, 360s, microwaves, toasters, lamps, stereos, and anything else that you don't mind plugging in before you use it. Also - Power strips with on/off switches interrupt the connection of power - so flipping the switch to "off" is the same as unplugging all electronics plugged into the strip.
3 ) Check all of your electronics/appliances for "Energy Saver" modes. Many things in your home may actually have this feature, and you didn't even know about it! Here at my place, my Fridge, A/C, and computer monitor currently have it enabled.
4 ) To save more power - Put your hot water heater (if it's electric, and not gas) on a timer to turn on a bout 30 minutes before you usually get a shower/do the dishes - Then have it turn off at whatever time you think you will no longer need hot water. The water in the reservoir will stay hot for hours after it has been turned off. If you can't put it on a timer - just flip the breaker for your hot water heater off, and remember to flip it on 30 minutes before you need it.
5 ) Clean the copper tubing on your Fridge and A/C frequently to make them run more efficiently.
6 ) Always turn off the lights in rooms that you are not in - and use the correct amount of light for whatever you are doing. If you are sitting in your chair watching television, but don't want all the lights off - maybe the small desk lamp with a 9w CFL will do the job, rather than the 23w CFL on your ceiling. Also - Dimmers can help. Some CFL manufacturers are making Dimmable CFLs, they don't dim near as well as Incandescents until they are a bit warmed up though.
7 ) Find out when peak hours are in your area for your electric provider - Peak hours means more money for electricity - then, do what you can to consume electricity more often when you are being charged less, as opposed to the peak hours.
8 ) A full fridge is a more energy efficient fridge! The more food you have in there being kept cold actually helps keep everything else cold, make sense? Plus there is less air, so the fridge has less air to circulate.... so what to do if you have an empty fridge?? Put some jugs of water in there, it helps! After that, you can even adjust your fridge's temp settings for even more energy efficiency - don't forget to check for an Energy Saver mode!
9 ) There are also some capacitors out there that claim to save energy... you plug it into the wall, then plug your electronics into that... Some work, some don't... do your homework before you pick any to buy. It's basically like a battery that stores up wasted energy - then it uses it... thus, allowing you to ultimately use less power. But, like I said... some work... and some just have blinking lights to make you think they work.
10 ) Replace them old appliances/electronics. Appliances 10 years old, although still working, may use up to 100% more power than a newer model. Got a 20 year old appliance?? Energy efficiency is a main focus in the world's eyes these day, almost even a "fad", but 5-10 years ago, it really wasn't a big deal to the mainstream, and 10-20 ago it was even less... and this goes for the manufacturers of appliances and electronics as well.
11 ) a solar generator might be an option. 1600 bucks for an 1800 watt panel, battery generator setup. (credit: Astaldoath)
Well that's about all I could think of off the top of my brain - Let me know of any others, and if you found this thread helpful. Sorry if this is a repeat thread - just trying to help.
So, I figured I'd make a thread here in the Newbie section that might help some people. Let me know if there is anything I have forgotten and I will add it to the list. (credit given of course!)
1 ) Replace all regular house bulbs (Incandescents) with a comparable CFL bulb - 9-23w CFLs should cover all of your homes' 25-60w Incandescents. CFLs put out the same amount of Lumens (visible light) for less power used (money).
2 ) Unplug all electronics not being used, instead of turning them off or putting them on standby. All electronics pull power even when off, just as electronics drain batteries even when the device isn't on! (shitty huh?) So remember, unplug those PS3s, 360s, microwaves, toasters, lamps, stereos, and anything else that you don't mind plugging in before you use it. Also - Power strips with on/off switches interrupt the connection of power - so flipping the switch to "off" is the same as unplugging all electronics plugged into the strip.
3 ) Check all of your electronics/appliances for "Energy Saver" modes. Many things in your home may actually have this feature, and you didn't even know about it! Here at my place, my Fridge, A/C, and computer monitor currently have it enabled.
4 ) To save more power - Put your hot water heater (if it's electric, and not gas) on a timer to turn on a bout 30 minutes before you usually get a shower/do the dishes - Then have it turn off at whatever time you think you will no longer need hot water. The water in the reservoir will stay hot for hours after it has been turned off. If you can't put it on a timer - just flip the breaker for your hot water heater off, and remember to flip it on 30 minutes before you need it.
5 ) Clean the copper tubing on your Fridge and A/C frequently to make them run more efficiently.
6 ) Always turn off the lights in rooms that you are not in - and use the correct amount of light for whatever you are doing. If you are sitting in your chair watching television, but don't want all the lights off - maybe the small desk lamp with a 9w CFL will do the job, rather than the 23w CFL on your ceiling. Also - Dimmers can help. Some CFL manufacturers are making Dimmable CFLs, they don't dim near as well as Incandescents until they are a bit warmed up though.
7 ) Find out when peak hours are in your area for your electric provider - Peak hours means more money for electricity - then, do what you can to consume electricity more often when you are being charged less, as opposed to the peak hours.
8 ) A full fridge is a more energy efficient fridge! The more food you have in there being kept cold actually helps keep everything else cold, make sense? Plus there is less air, so the fridge has less air to circulate.... so what to do if you have an empty fridge?? Put some jugs of water in there, it helps! After that, you can even adjust your fridge's temp settings for even more energy efficiency - don't forget to check for an Energy Saver mode!
9 ) There are also some capacitors out there that claim to save energy... you plug it into the wall, then plug your electronics into that... Some work, some don't... do your homework before you pick any to buy. It's basically like a battery that stores up wasted energy - then it uses it... thus, allowing you to ultimately use less power. But, like I said... some work... and some just have blinking lights to make you think they work.
10 ) Replace them old appliances/electronics. Appliances 10 years old, although still working, may use up to 100% more power than a newer model. Got a 20 year old appliance?? Energy efficiency is a main focus in the world's eyes these day, almost even a "fad", but 5-10 years ago, it really wasn't a big deal to the mainstream, and 10-20 ago it was even less... and this goes for the manufacturers of appliances and electronics as well.
11 ) a solar generator might be an option. 1600 bucks for an 1800 watt panel, battery generator setup. (credit: Astaldoath)
Well that's about all I could think of off the top of my brain - Let me know of any others, and if you found this thread helpful. Sorry if this is a repeat thread - just trying to help.
