[babydawn]

Do to the rise in energy costs, my husband and I have been really watching where we can skimp on energy use. What things do you do to try to save on energy?

[Tsunshine]

We bought insulated curtains. I shopped around on-line and found some for $20.00 a set. Although not the colors I would have picked if I wanted to spend $60.00 they are okay.
We also bought window sun shield (a plastic type film that fits on the window) for the odd shaped windows in our stairway for $60 which block about 75% of the sun's heat. Hopefully that will make our upstairs cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

[mommyx3]

Our thermastat is set on 77 degrees. Some people think that's too hot, but I'm a sahm and it doesn't even phase me or the kids. Plus our electric bill isn't sky high right now.

I dry most loads on a clothesline, instead of the dryer. Not everything gets hung out, like socks or towels, but most everything else does.

We have thermal drapes as well and keep them closed during the day. It makes a big difference in the temperature of the living room. We also have ceiling fans installed in most rooms, which helps.

I've cut my errands and weekly trips WAY back. We leave the house, once sometimes twice a week. The rest of the days we hang out and swim. I've been able to go 2 weeks now between filing up my gas tank.

[clarkestep]

Making sure your windows and doors are sealed tight will also help. We even went to Lowes/Home Depot and bought insulators that go behind our wall switch plates.

[MommytoBenjamin]

We also have the thermostat set at 77 degrees. It's a little warm but we run 2 fans which make it better. We keep our blinds closed during the day to keep the heat out and are more conscious about turning lights out. It's made a difference in our electric bill.

[secros]

We don't have central air conditioning. I turn off the window air in the living room most of the day while dh is at work. He likes it much cooler than I do and I don't mind it being a bit warmer during the day. I turn the air back on a couple of hours before he gets home. I keep the curtains closed during the day and keep the laundry room door closed from the rest of the house. I don't use the oven during the summer but use a toaster oven, microwave, George Foreman, and stovetop. I use crockpots and on really hot days, I put them on the enclosed back porch to keep the heat out of the house.

I limit my trips to town to one day a week for all my groceries, etc.

In the winter, we use a woodburning stove in our kitchen to supplement the heat in the house. We keep the heat fairly low and use afghans to cover up while we watch TV, etc. We all sleep under down comforters and like to keep the rooms cool at night.

[provigal_fam]

We don't run our A/C during the day unless the temp is at least 90. I don't use my clothes dryer in the summer (that's when stockpiling undies and sox come in handy). We grill out whenever possible. I use the water from washing dishes to water plants.

[phlack]

I keep my A/C at 80. And have the ceiling fans blaring!

I try to block sunlight coming in as well.

-Mike

[Cookiemom]

I think adjusting your expectations in terms of comfortable heating/air makes a huge difference. I've compared the amount of energy we used this past month to what we used last year in the same month. This year, as a SAHM, we're using less! And this after being in the house all day.
I don't run the air at all during the day unless it's over 90 outside. We run it when company is over and to help us sleep at night. It's refelcetd a big difference in our bill.

[Iclipcoupons]

After last months bill of over 300.00 I got the thermostat set on 77 now. I am curious to see what difference it makes on next bill. Anybody complains they are hot, they can sit outside a while then come back in, it will feel good!!