Benner Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 So my wife and I are expecting come March and need to free up as much money as possible. One area that's killing us is energy costs. So far this winter we are sitting at $130 a month for 2 consecutive months. The isolation is the worst thing about this apartment. We only have electric, no gas. Have an H.E. washer and dryer, our tv is an led so nothing to crazy. Microwave is only a year and a half old. Dish washer, fridge, and stove are all provided by apartment complex and can't remove them. The thermostat here is inaccurate but I'm guessing we keep it around 71 most of the time, wife freezes if it's lower, and being pregnant she gets what she wants. Any tips and tricks you all have would be appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbs3000 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Cheap programmable thermostat as its something you can take with you and aep offers rebates on them. Most apartments have a large glass slider if you do then heavy curtains or for the cheap version some diy or multiple ones layered. CFL bulbs everywhere. Window plastic is cheap that you can seal up all your windows. Make sure your furance filter is clean/changed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 (edited) $130 doesn't seem bad. Shorten the showers, don't use the dish washer, hang cloths around the place to air dry, and check weather stripping around outside doors and windows for a good seal. Edited January 13, 2015 by Mojoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRN96WS6 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 130 sounds cheap as hell how many rooms and sqft? Hell in the prime of winter in a 4bdrm 2000sqft home I've seen 500 plus bills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benner Posted January 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 It's a 2 bedroom. Im thinkING it's around 800 square feet. And our water is included in our rent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRN96WS6 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Honestly that doesn't sound horrible. You could see if you have drafts from Windows and doors like Joe said,but outside of that nor much else I can think of, especially with a rental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc1647545523 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 You can be comfortable at a lower temp if you humidify the air. The humidifier is an additional expense (plus some have filters/wicks which need regular replacement), but a medium sized unit should do the whole apartment easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grease monkey Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Lower thermostat temp, wear more clothing. = Energy savings. FYI, the thermostat is set to 58° when I'm not home, and when I am, it moves to a "balmy" 64°. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl1647545492 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Put another layer of clothing on if you are turning down your thermostat you will not feel it. What temps do you run your thermo at when you go to bed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffro Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Cheap programmable thermostat as its something you can take with you and aep offers rebates on them. Most apartments have a large glass slider if you do then heavy curtains or for the cheap version some diy or multiple ones layered. CFL bulbs everywhere. Window plastic is cheap that you can seal up all your windows. Make sure your furance filter is clean/changed This this this. MY 5/2 Honeywell thermostat was like 25 bucks at Walmart. I never have to touch it. Set it and forget it. Put another layer of clothing on if you are turning down your thermostat you will not feel it. What temps do you run your thermo at when you go to bed? I wish the GF would understand this concept. I'm over here wearing sweat pants and a sweatshirt and i'm perfectly comfortable while shes over there wearing shorts and a t-shirt complaining about being cold. We keep it at 70-71 while were home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl1647545492 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Its a girl thing. You can get away with less heat when your in bed but make up for it in other ways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbs3000 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 You can be comfortable at a lower temp if you humidify the air. The humidifier is an additional expense (plus some have filters/wicks which need regular replacement), but a medium sized unit should do the whole apartment easily. I forgot about this, This is a must. As someone with little ones in the house I guarantee you will be buying a humidifier anyway once the baby is here so may as well get a bigger unit and start now. A home should be kept at 50% +/-10. Without one your home is probably around 20%. Also, while turning it down and potting on clothes works for some, once that baby is here it is a high probability that you'll be leaving it at at least 71*. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRTurbo04 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Its a girl thing. You can get away with less heat when your in bed but make up for it in other ways This this this! Bang the wife more to keep her warm and get that thermostat down. Win win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Second Gen Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Isn't that how he got into this situation : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwohio Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Yea, that is pretty low for utilities. Quicker showers, and don't heat dry dishes when you use dishwasher (if it has that option). Get some window inslation kits for the windows, which will help with heating costs. Also get a door draft stopper for your front door (there are a bunch of DIY's to make one yourself or just roll up an old towel and keep it by the door. http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/th/aplus/3m/3M-indoor-dryer.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRTurbo04 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Isn't that how he got into this situation : ) Its not like he can get her any more pregnant might as well take advantage as when he can :fuckyeah: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benner Posted January 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Put another layer of clothing on if you are turning down your thermostat you will not feel it. What temps do you run your thermo at when you go to bed? Well like I stated the thermostat isn't accurate for shit but if I had to take a guess it is around 65 at night. It gets bumped up in the mornings by 5 degrees based on rhe thermostat. Windows are also very drafty. Yeah I hadn't even considered a humidifier but will definitely be getting one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRTurbo04 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Windows are also very drafty. . Well start there, wrap the windows up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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