tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post113224841195341391..comments2023-11-18T01:21:55.631-05:00Comments on My Open Wallet: Energy BillsMadame Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536189690094235926noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-80249316886239022932007-07-03T15:59:00.000-04:002007-07-03T15:59:00.000-04:00PLEASE do NOT use fluorescent bulbs! They have ver...PLEASE do NOT use fluorescent bulbs! They have very toxic mercury in them. As an environmental engineer, I assure you that once in landfills, it is next to impossible to keep mercury from entering water supplies and eventually, through the food chain, ending up in people. Maybe your children won't be poisoned, but your grandchildren may be.<BR/><BR/>Please, if you insist on using CFL bulbs, get educated and find a safe way to dispose of them. If you read the CLF bulb packaging, you will see the warning right there in black & white. Of course, the manufacturers don't tell you HOW to safely dispose of them, they just tell you not to dispose of them via the garbage truck.<BR/><BR/>Remember, mercury is incredibly toxic - to both people and animals. Please consider other ways of saving money and energy. Don't use these highly toxic bulbs!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-1132366801009146272005-11-18T21:20:00.000-05:002005-11-18T21:20:00.000-05:00--Computer: don't leave it in sleep or standby mod...--Computer: don't leave it in sleep or standby mode. Turn it off all the way.<BR/><BR/>Under Windows, hibernate dumps the info in memory onto the harddrive and turns off the computer. It can be accessed by holding shift when you're shutting down your computer, standby button will turn into hibernate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-1132356015862577782005-11-18T18:20:00.000-05:002005-11-18T18:20:00.000-05:00it's also a good idea to buy an insulation cover f...it's also a good idea to buy an insulation cover for your water heater. that supposedly saves alot on re-heating your water. Think I remember something around 10%...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-1132345291702808692005-11-18T15:21:00.000-05:002005-11-18T15:21:00.000-05:00Hi Madame X, you are my inspiration to budget and ...Hi Madame X, you are my inspiration to budget and save. I have been profligate in the past but I do own a house and congratulations on owning your first condo. It is a big responsibility but the feeling of freedom is priceless.Marcia Matthewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04897680794920436143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-1132324633468829862005-11-18T09:37:00.000-05:002005-11-18T09:37:00.000-05:00I agree with Foob, answering machine is way cheape...I agree with Foob, answering machine is way cheaper than voicemail.<BR/><BR/>One thing I am attempting is to put certain electronics (like your ipod chargers etc - in my case the TV and DVD player and now old tivo in the bedroom -- rarely used) on a power strip and use the on/off rocker to be able to leave them plugged in, but only draw power when needed.<BR/><BR/>Also to respond to what I believe BLT is saying, is that lights have a kelvin rating to signify the "color temperature" of the light. most CFLs are very "cool" and therefore very blueish. But they do offer CFLs in different kelvin ratings, you just have to shop around. But a cool CFL lamp in an orange bedroom can look absolutely ghastly (trust me) so just be aware while shopping. A "warmer" kelvin has a more golden hue to it...closer to sunlight. I was looking around for an online store that I recently used to gather info and found <A HREF="http://www.nyenergychallenge.org/tips.htm" REL="nofollow">this </A>instead - that also makes the point you need special "dimmable" CFLs for lights on dimmer switches (those are pretty new)Caitlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07099173870125319819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-1132287466316287182005-11-17T23:17:00.000-05:002005-11-17T23:17:00.000-05:00Hi:Voicemail from Verizon costs about $6-7 a month...Hi:<BR/><BR/>Voicemail from Verizon costs about $6-7 a month; there's NO way your wallwart is drawing that much.<BR/><BR/>Wanna save 20% on your electricity bill? Unplug your microwave after each use (I have a G.E. SpaceSaver one).<BR/><BR/>These suckers must have some standby draw, or the lcd for the stupid clock is the worse energy sucker ever.<BR/><BR/>FoobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-1132264220192431982005-11-17T16:50:00.000-05:002005-11-17T16:50:00.000-05:00There is a big difference between regular light bu...There is a big difference between regular light bulbs and the energy-saver ones. I've noticed the light from the energy-savers are not as "rich" (not sure of the correct term, but you'll know when you see it) as regular bulbs. So, I mix/match...I have a 3-light vanity in my bathroom, using two energy savers and one regular. Also, my hallway lights each have two bulbs, one regular, one energy saver.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-1132252050819072122005-11-17T13:27:00.000-05:002005-11-17T13:27:00.000-05:00It's rare to have to pay for heat.It's rare to have to pay for heat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com