What cost savings changes have you made to your home?

[2K2 LS1]

We have had CFL's since day one. I am upgrading the amount of insulation this winter as well as adding powered attic vents. I have plantation blinds on every window in the house to block the sun and reduce heat in the summer. I am going to finally program the programmable thermostats this winter. I'm also going to use the kill-a-watt tool and place smart switches/plugs on every piece of electrons or anything that zaps power when not in use.

What steps have you taken to bee more green and save that green? Anyone installed an electric hot water heater timer, or possibly switched to a tank-less setup? Any added benefits paying the big $$$$ to switch from CFL's to LED lights? How big a difference does radiant barrier make if you have a well insulated attic with proper ventilation? How big a difference did those that insulated their garage doors see? Also our game/media room is over the garage....would I benefit at the time of adding insulation this fall/winter; by blowing insulation between the sub floor and the garage ceiling? Other energy($$$) savings ideas?

[paul_376]

removed toilet and just shit in hole in back yard

[krazy kris]

duck taped all the cracks around doors and windows then threw the doors in the yard. fuck doors

[STANGGT40]

heat pump water heater, all fluorescent lighting, tons of insullation, 19seer hvac system, solar screens...i still need to replace a few windows and my front door...i'll do that when i get some time.

[Tyrone Biggums]

I think solar screens had the biggest impact on our electric bill. I'm sure the programmable thermostat, some new windows, and the water heater time have helped as well.

[STANGGT40]

one of the biggest things to do is to find a better rate for electricity. i'm amazed to see people sticking with txu at 13cents per kw/h...there are several under that. i use startex, which is around 8.5 cents per kw/h. that's a ~35% savings, right there!

[2K2 LS1]

one of the biggest things to do is to find a better rate for electricity. i'm amazed to see people sticking with txu at 13cents per kw/h...there are several under that. i use startex, which is around 8.5 cents per kw/h. that's a ~35% savings, right there!

We are screwed as we are in an electric co op

[STANGGT40]

We are screwed as we are in an electric co op

their rates are probably about the same or better than the retail providers...

[2K2 LS1]

their rates are probably about the same or better than the retail providers...

Pay $248.06 for 2405 KWH

[STANGGT40]

Pay $248.06 for 2405 KWH

that's not bad. it's a lot better than anything that txu/reliant offers! (last i checked, anyway)

[Vertnut]

Besides caulking around everything outside and having good door seals, R38 in the attic w/radiant barrier, and really good vinyl windows.

[2K2 LS1]

that's not bad. it's a lot better than anything that txu/reliant offers! (last i checked, anyway)

problem is if someone else is better we could never change to them

[propellerhead]

I never liked how solar screens look. I bought window tint film and installed it on the outside side of the window (per instructions). It actually came out nice. It sure cooled down the bedroom facing west.

[jnobles06]

started cracking my garage door and attic door. then mounted a box fan under one of the attic globe vents. it it was about 130 degrees in my attic on a 90* day before the fan. with the fan and cracking the doors it dropped the attic temps to 105* with in 15 minutes and it only cost me ~$20. i was going to buy one of the expensive fans made for the attic, but i read a write up online where they used a box fan and had similar results. the following month, which was the hottest month of this last summer (highs of 110*), my electric bill dropped $40 from the previous cooler month.

[snacksnack]

started cracking my garage door and attic door. then mounted a box fan under one of the attic globe vents. it it was about 130 degrees in my attic on a 90* day before the fan. with the fan and cracking the doors it dropped the attic temps to 105* with in 15 minutes and it only cost me ~$20. i was going to buy one of the expensive fans made for the attic, but i read a write up online where they used a box fan and had similar results. the following month, which was the hottest month of this last summer (highs of 110*), my electric bill dropped $40 from the previous cooler month.

I did this two summers ago as i was home during the day and did not see these results. Garage door open attic door open with a fan just like you said and saw maybe a 5-10 degree difference and really nothing in the elec bill for the entire summer