Comments on: How to Lower Utility Bills Even if You Rent http://www.makingthishome.com/2009/03/08/how-to-lower-utility-bills-even-if-you-rent/ creating a simple, handmade home Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Jenny http://www.makingthishome.com/2009/03/08/how-to-lower-utility-bills-even-if-you-rent/comment-page-1/#comment-8467 Jenny Fri, 28 May 2010 05:34:29 +0000 http://www.makingthishome.com/?p=1561#comment-8467 Great tips. I spent my winter with my laptop in bed with an electric blanket and then kept the house temperature turned WAY down. I also lived ghetto fabulous and placed a shower curtain rod and clear shower curtain over a back room we didnt use often and that kept the heat where we used it most. Our friends thought it was cute and didnt realize what it was until we told them. Another thing I do is plug all my chargers and tv/surround sound into power strips and I turn the strips off when I go away for the weekend or even sometimes for weeks while I am home and just not using them. I had no idea how much electricity my tv and cords took up even when they weren't on. Great tips. I spent my winter with my laptop in bed with an electric blanket and then kept the house temperature turned WAY down. I also lived ghetto fabulous and placed a shower curtain rod and clear shower curtain over a back room we didnt use often and that kept the heat where we used it most. Our friends thought it was cute and didnt realize what it was until we told them.

Another thing I do is plug all my chargers and tv/surround sound into power strips and I turn the strips off when I go away for the weekend or even sometimes for weeks while I am home and just not using them. I had no idea how much electricity my tv and cords took up even when they weren’t on.

]]> By: theotherkatieinberlin http://www.makingthishome.com/2009/03/08/how-to-lower-utility-bills-even-if-you-rent/comment-page-1/#comment-2993 theotherkatieinberlin Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:30:15 +0000 http://www.makingthishome.com/?p=1561#comment-2993 I save on our water and electricity by taking showers. Why showers? Good question. I only use the water when I a) need to get wet, and b) need to rinse. In between, I turn the water off. You'd be amazed how much you save. Try this: put the stopper in the tub when you take a "normal" shower and see how much water you've used. Next, take a shower like I do after putting a stopper in and then compare how much you used vs. the "normal" shower. Also, I wash our clothes in cold water and hang them to dry instead of using a dryer. I don't rinse dishes prior to putting them in the dishwasher, I put lids on pots when I am bringing water to a boil, turn the oven off a few minutes before the cookies are done, and use the heat from the previously used oven to heat the kitchen. It's not hard to do this. As an American, I grew up learning that things need to be convenient, and as luxurious as affordable, and that also meant wasteful. The thing is, when I moved to Europe, I realized how spoiled I was. It's not hard to do these things I suggested and I don't think I could ever really own a clothes dryer again. I am even mildly irritated when friends of mine ask me, "How do you live like that??! I have to have a dryer!" "No air conditioning?! I could never do without it!" (Okay, that last one is one that I DON'T hold against my fellow NORTH CAROLINIANS. It get H-O-T there and is unsafe without A/C at times.) But, I would suggest to people that they try to do without A/C on days that aren't so hot. It really isn't bad once you get used to it. I save on our water and electricity by taking showers. Why showers? Good question. I only use the water when I a) need to get wet, and b) need to rinse. In between, I turn the water off. You’d be amazed how much you save. Try this: put the stopper in the tub when you take a “normal” shower and see how much water you’ve used. Next, take a shower like I do after putting a stopper in and then compare how much you used vs. the “normal” shower. Also, I wash our clothes in cold water and hang them to dry instead of using a dryer. I don’t rinse dishes prior to putting them in the dishwasher, I put lids on pots when I am bringing water to a boil, turn the oven off a few minutes before the cookies are done, and use the heat from the previously used oven to heat the kitchen.

It’s not hard to do this. As an American, I grew up learning that things need to be convenient, and as luxurious as affordable, and that also meant wasteful. The thing is, when I moved to Europe, I realized how spoiled I was. It’s not hard to do these things I suggested and I don’t think I could ever really own a clothes dryer again. I am even mildly irritated when friends of mine ask me, “How do you live like that??! I have to have a dryer!” “No air conditioning?! I could never do without it!” (Okay, that last one is one that I DON’T hold against my fellow NORTH CAROLINIANS. It get H-O-T there and is unsafe without A/C at times.) But, I would suggest to people that they try to do without A/C on days that aren’t so hot. It really isn’t bad once you get used to it.

]]> By: John http://www.makingthishome.com/2009/03/08/how-to-lower-utility-bills-even-if-you-rent/comment-page-1/#comment-2972 John Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:49:06 +0000 http://www.makingthishome.com/?p=1561#comment-2972 The heavy curtains are a great idea. I recently just moved into a new house took down all of the drapes as it was an older lady who lived there before. Nothing that style, just not for me. I put up metal blinds b/c they are inexpensive but adding some more modern curtains would probably be a good idea. Do you have any suggestions on how to make them look up-to-date? I am pretty clueless when it comes to window treatment styles. -John htt://www.hardcorefinance.com The heavy curtains are a great idea. I recently just moved into a new house took down all of the drapes as it was an older lady who lived there before. Nothing that style, just not for me. I put up metal blinds b/c they are inexpensive but adding some more modern curtains would probably be a good idea. Do you have any suggestions on how to make them look up-to-date? I am pretty clueless when it comes to window treatment styles.

-John

htt://www.hardcorefinance.com

]]> By: Blossoming Skillet http://www.makingthishome.com/2009/03/08/how-to-lower-utility-bills-even-if-you-rent/comment-page-1/#comment-2958 Blossoming Skillet Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:58:49 +0000 http://www.makingthishome.com/?p=1561#comment-2958 Thanks for the great ideas! I think it might be time to update a few of our curtains! Thanks for the great ideas! I think it might be time to update a few of our curtains!

]]> By: Susan http://www.makingthishome.com/2009/03/08/how-to-lower-utility-bills-even-if-you-rent/comment-page-1/#comment-2954 Susan Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:56:33 +0000 http://www.makingthishome.com/?p=1561#comment-2954 Great, common sense ideas. I'm going to check several of those things today! BTW - very interesting that you live in Germany. I've visited a few times and absolutely love it there. Great, common sense ideas. I’m going to check several of those things today! BTW – very interesting that you live in Germany. I’ve visited a few times and absolutely love it there.

]]> By: Leanne http://www.makingthishome.com/2009/03/08/how-to-lower-utility-bills-even-if-you-rent/comment-page-1/#comment-2953 Leanne Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:55:03 +0000 http://www.makingthishome.com/?p=1561#comment-2953 I've just finished bleeding all my radiators and setting all th thermostats for th warmer weather which is (hopefully) on its way and we're in the process of changing all our lightbulbs. I'll hopefully be able to pick up a few more at the end of the month. I’ve just finished bleeding all my radiators and setting all th thermostats for th warmer weather which is (hopefully) on its way and we’re in the process of changing all our lightbulbs. I’ll hopefully be able to pick up a few more at the end of the month.

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