[RKDinOKC]

Over the past year I have done all I can figure to save electricity just wanted to share.

Did an energy audit with my local Electric company. Mainly cause they gave 10 60watt eauivalent 9watt LED bulbs and two power strips Free. The power strips liet me put the TV to sleep and it also turns off the stereo, cable box, etc. Turning the TV switches power on to everything else.

Cut my energy bill from a little over $200/mo to under $100.
Power savings were from...
LED bulbs
Powerstrips.
Few LED night lights so can navigate at night without turning lights on.
Cook in 1500 watt toaster oven instead of 3500 watt oven.
User smaller 1000 watt burners instead of bigger 1500 watt burner.
Cook more on propane smoker/roaster/grill.
Fill free space in fridge and freezer with 1/2 gallon milk jugs of water.
Make sure only turn lights on when needed and off when leave a room.
Turned water tank temp down.
Open and close blinds for best heating/cooling depending on season.
Only plug in chargers when something needs charging, then unplug.

Use a Smart Hours thermostat with setback and run the temps as high as we can stand in the summer and low as can stand in the winter. The smart hours gets me a cheaper electric rate except for peak hours. The thermostat cools 4 degrees cooler before the peak and does not cycle the a/c until after peak unless it gets above our set point. Thought we would notice, but we don't and it actually does save even with higher rates during peak times.

Part of the audit recommendation was replacing the windows and adding insulation in the attic. Looked at the cost of windows and insulation about $4000 in materials alone. With the bill being under $100/month now, even at 50% savings it would take 6 years to recoup the expense.

I like to leave a porch light on. It has a 9watt bulb. It is a daylight to dusk light. Thought about replacing the switch with a timer so it would turn it off from midnite to daylight. The switch is $17. It would take 2 years to recoup.

Any more tips or hints to help?