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DGoldfarb0776
LIF Adolescent
Member since 4/08 767 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
DH and I have finally moved - the new place that we're renting from in Nassau County doesn't include electric or gas.
We were both wondering if anyone (besides the obvious things like turning off lights when not in use) had any good electric saving tips- I'm trying to keep DH and I in check when it comes to electrical use since in our old place we had all utilities included in the rent.
Gas I'm not too worried about as we're only going to be using that when we cook on the stove so not expecting a huge bill there.
Thanks all in advance! 
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Posted 9/30/10 1:18 PM  |
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PumpkinGirl
:o)
Member since 10/08 1838 total posts
Name:
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Re: Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
unplug everything when not in use. Even things like a cell phone charger that isn't charging at the time.. just being plugged in, draws energy. Same for toaster, coffee pot, tv, etc..
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| Posted 9/30/10 1:31 PM |
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DGoldfarb0776
LIF Adolescent
Member since 4/08 767 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
And if that happens to be on a surge protector, just turn off the whole strip rather than unplug each thing?
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| Posted 9/30/10 1:33 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
Posted by DGoldfarb0776
And if that happens to be on a surge protector, just turn off the whole strip rather than unplug each thing?
Yes. I have several power strips that I just shut off. They sell special power strips that has a "controlling" outlet, so when that item is turned off, everything else turns off, too. If your PC is in the main outlet, and you shut it down, your speakers, printer, monitor, etc can turn off automatically.
CFL bulbs definitely help. Minimizing AC usage.
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| Posted 9/30/10 1:50 PM |
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DGoldfarb0776
LIF Adolescent
Member since 4/08 767 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
That's great about the "controlling" power strips. I think that's great for things like the computer.
Wow I'm really finding out some things that I really didn't know at first.
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| Posted 9/30/10 2:13 PM |
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Nifheim
allo
Member since 1/09 5476 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
to be honest they just did a news segment on saving energy and found by unplugging everything saves you about $1 a month, turning lights off saves you about another $1 per month. I found the only thing that really makes a difference is what type of light bulbs you use (if you run old school lights then turning them off does help more then energy saving ones which really saves you a penny or two.)
The main things that affect your energy costs are: heating, cooling, hot water, laundry. If you have bad insulation in your house (or apartment) and drafty windows/doors this is where you start to feel money wasted. IF your hot water heater & laundry is not efficient that does the same.
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| Posted 9/30/10 3:56 PM |
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smooney
Hidey Ho!
Member since 2/10 1669 total posts
Name:
.
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Re: Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
when we were renting my dh switched out all the lightbulbs for energy efficient ones. then when we left we just switched them back.
i think that helped alot!
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| Posted 9/30/10 5:00 PM |
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KLSbear
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 1908 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
Anything that heats draws alot of power - hair dryers, toasters, space heaters, clothes dryers, etc. so watch your use on those. Try to load the dryer efficiently, hang to dry if you can, etc.
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| Posted 9/30/10 6:45 PM |
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DGoldfarb0776
LIF Adolescent
Member since 4/08 767 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
The good news is we don't have to pay anything to do laundry (they have a laundry room) and heat is also included and paid by the landlord so that's a big relief on electric too.
I am thinking it's not going to be as bad as I think it will be.
I also heard that after 9pm? that the rates for electric/gas go down so it's better to run the dishwasher at night???
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| Posted 9/30/10 7:44 PM |
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KLSbear
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 1908 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
Posted by DGoldfarb0776
The good news is we don't have to pay anything to do laundry (they have a laundry room) and heat is also included and paid by the landlord so that's a big relief on electric too.
I am thinking it's not going to be as bad as I think it will be.
I also heard that after 9pm? that the rates for electric/gas go down so it's better to run the dishwasher at night???
Yes, I'm not sure of the exact time but they do have off peak rates.
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| Posted 9/30/10 9:47 PM |
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tray831
Dee-licious!
Member since 3/06 5355 total posts
Name:
His Baby
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Re: Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
Posted by KLSbear
Posted by DGoldfarb0776
The good news is we don't have to pay anything to do laundry (they have a laundry room) and heat is also included and paid by the landlord so that's a big relief on electric too.
I am thinking it's not going to be as bad as I think it will be.
I also heard that after 9pm? that the rates for electric/gas go down so it's better to run the dishwasher at night???
Yes, I'm not sure of the exact time but they do have off peak rates.
I thought this too......until a few months ago I called LIPA to ask them this question since I questioned why it my bill was so high. I mentioned using dishwasher/laundry after 9pm or before 8am. They said doing that makes No difference. Apparantly each home is marked under a certain "class". If I wanted to save $$ doing the 9am-8am thing...I'd have to change my bill and pay more in the long run. So now.....I just do them at any time since Im not saving anything.
They always get you somehow! Hate them! 
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| Posted 10/1/10 9:24 AM |
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Cheeks24
Living a dream
Member since 1/08 8589 total posts
Name:
Cheeks
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Re: Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
Get the energy saving light bulbs. That helps a lot!
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| Posted 10/1/10 11:28 AM |
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DGoldfarb0776
LIF Adolescent
Member since 4/08 767 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Electric Saving Tips - LIPA
Wow I'm just happy that we're not home until the late evening most nights and if possible we try not to turn on so many lights... I almost yelled at DH last night because he went to pick me up from the bus stop (about 5 minutes away) and he left the living room and bedroom lights on!!! 
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| Posted 10/1/10 7:43 PM |
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