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Bill
 
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Default Looking for Ways to Reduce Electricity Usage (Possibly Solar Cells)

One of the biggest users is an electric hot water heater. You can reduce
this by placing it on a timer and taking showers every other day rather
than every day. (get a 7 day 240 V timer - link below)

So on "shower days", set it to make enough hot water for your shower and to
go on (then off) just before your shower. Only warm (not hot) water will be
left in the tank after your shower and this will be sufficient for hand
washing for the entire day. (If you have a bunch of teenage girls in your
home, this will of course not work.)

On "non-shower days", set it to run for about 5 minutes in the morning.
This will make warm (not hot) water for the days hand washing.

Basically you are producing hot water for showers, but only warm water for
everything else. If your hot water is 30% of your bill and you are cutting
down on water heating by half or more, this could be a BIG savings on your
electric bill.

Also place electronic stuff like TV, microwave, stereo, etc. on a switch.
These things use electricity when not on. Turn off power to these things
when not in use.

Heating/air conditioning costs can be reduced by adding insulation and
replacing your windows with energy star double pane windows. Close off
rooms which are not used, install heavy drapes on windows.

Also post to misc.consumers.frugal-living (This group can give you all
sorts of money saving ideas...)

One model of water heater timer...
(Search for water heater timer)
http://www.energyautomationinc.com/ti040.shtml

Energy Star Web Site...
http://www.energystar.gov/


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