Reducing My Utilities Bills

Too long since I posted last...

Not much new on the project front.

I am eyeing replacing our kitchen fridge over the next few months. I am hoping to keep the cost below $1500 while getting the highest effienciency I can in our size needs. It should help the electric bill which was the highest it has been in in 2 years (over $440 dollars). The problem is that the tempature here has been at records all month. Also, since the kids and my wife's schedule mean someone is home nearly all day.

After I take care of a few other expenses I am hoping in the next few years to put solar on the house also replace the AC units with more effiencent models.

Aaron

Hoping the weather cools off.

The lowest average KWH usage on record...Trying to bring it lower

Meter Read Date	KWH Read	KWH Usage	Number of Days	Average Daily Usage	Charges this period
01/23/2009	34372	858.00	30	28.6	$ 154.64

The second lowest electric bill since 2003 (as far as the records go). I bought two more occupancy sensor switches on ebay and this should help though considering that over last year at this time I have saved $50 a month. I will continue to make incremental improvements.

Looking for more ideas I how to add more insulation by summer and may do some more work.

Aaron

We had a Southern California cold month (but I think heating season is done)

Month	This Year	Therms	Daily Average	Last Year	Therms	Daily Average
	Days			Days
Jan	34	93	2.74	33	107	3.24
Dec	30	24	0.80	34	58	1.71
Nov	32	17	0.53	28	21	0.75

Still I was signifigantly less then last year and we continue to make progress.

Aaron

Swapped out another light switch

The one more vacancy switch I had left I used in the garage. I found it left on the last few nights. So, it became the next canidate. The follow on to that will be the light switches in my master bathroom my wife keeps leaving them on.

Aaron

The lowest usage ever for this time by 20%

Meter Read Date				Average Daily Usage	Charges this period
11/24/2008				37.68	$ 237.20

2 Years ago: 54.66 Last year: 49.07 This year: 37.68

  Aaron

Real Savings over the 2007

I compared my last year's usage and costs to this year's (Jan 2007-Sept 2007 vs Jan 2008-Sept 2008)

A savings of $724.20 and 1957 KWHs. 15% reduction is usage 24% reduction in cost. In 2008 total costs have been less then $200.

Finished my light switch occupancy sensor project I have one more switch and one remote sensor left but, I am not sure where I am going to put it yet. Now approximately 2/3s of my lights are auto shutoff.

I am not sure what else I can do with the lights to help.

Aaron

More occupancy sensor switches 14 installed 4 more to go

For the 1st time ever I did not have to turn off the lights anywhere in the house (except the family room) when heading up to bed.

After the light switches I am not sure what is next after that I can do that will impact non-summer months. On the AC front has anyone tried an AC mister and does it really work.

Also, last week I lowered the hot water tempature by a few degrees. Last month we continued to make inprovements.

Month	This Year	Therms	Daily Average	Last Year	Therms	Daily Average
	Days			Days
Oct	28	17	0.61	29	21	0.72
Sep	30	17	0.57	30	21	0.70
Aug	29	16	0.55	28	21	0.75

I was 4 therms above the baseline. I hope to be below next month. That will save me a few dollars a month at no cost. It has no impact on the wife, kids and I.

I hope the switches will do the same for the electric bill.

Aaron

More progress... more to go.

More progress on all fronts...

I put in the remaining occupancy sensor switches, 10 in total. I ordered more and told my family if they don't turn off lights they will ALL auto shut off.

2 Years ago: 91.93 Last year: 68.67 This year: 61.00

I also cut my Natural Gas bill down to approximately 0.5 therms per day. If I go a bit lower we will be at the lowest rate. Already less the $25 per month.

I still want to cut the electric in half only time will tell.

Aaron

Some more Camry hybrid MPG numbers

32 mile commute to work (minimal traffic - HWY and local roads)                       - 46.2 MPG
32 mile commute from work (heavy traffic - HWY and local roads)                      - 35.8 MPG

4 mile round trip to supermarket (stop and go - local roads)                                - 28.2 MPG

                                                                                                                         ---------

Typical Average Tank                                                                                        - 37.2 MPG

All the number seem fairly consistent and are improving slightly over time.

First visit to the gas station with the new hybrid

Instead of being near empty I only used 9 gallons of gas and averaged 36.1 MPG.

In addition I was able to time it with driving my daugher to work and fill up at the last gas station under $4 per gallon (I drive righ past the COSTCO on the way to drop off my daugher on Friday).

The mileage it about 32 on though short errands and above 40 on commutes to and from work.

Also, I am learning to be better at squeezingmore MPGs out of the car.

Aaron