Cutting Your Cooling Bill by $100

Tip Hero serves up fresh money-saving tips daily,
with over 1,700 tips shared by readers to date.

GET FREE UPDATES:

Tips by Category:

COMPARE PRICES
ON TRAVEL

Search Over 40 Websites for Cheap Airfares and More

ECO-FRIENDLY
DEALS & GIVEAWAYS

Get the Latest Offers Sent to Your Inbox Weekly for Free

Energy & Utilities

Home > Energy & Utilities > Topics: Cooling

-----------------------------------------

Cutting Your Cooling Bill by $100

Submitted by: MMKeshlear 01/07/2009 9:43 PM

Our utility bill was @ $275 a month, sometimes more until we had one of the companies that work with Home Depot come in and spray more insulation in the attic--they also put two solar generated ceiling fans that automatically came on at a certain temperature. we also had the solar radiant barrier spayed on the under side of the roof.

the next month the bill went down to $120 and goes down to $100 some months. And has been that way since last march except for one month when I believe one of the meter readers thought they would be lazy and not read the meter (oct 08) and put down that we used $275 worth of utilities. The next month it was back to the normal $100 or so dollars. I called in 4 times before I got someone that said, it didnt make any sense and that we should get a credit.

The other thing I do is wash my clothes and then hang them up outside esp the heavy stuff. We have fans in most rooms and I have heavy shades or curtains on the windows. I dont use the oven I use the microwave or eat food that doesnt need to be cooked.

Related Searches

save on energy bills

Compare Prices: solar attic fans, spray insulation, kilowatt meter, window fan, insulating shade, oscillating fan, energy star air conditioner, dehumidifier

Search for Coupons: Kmart, Home Depot, HomeClick,

---
sponsored: Find More Frugal Ideas & Money Saving Tips.

---
Tip Hero serves up new money-saving tips daily.
Get free updates via Email , RSS or Twitter.

More Money-Saving Tips:

Circulate Basement Air For Cooling

COOL-IT

Keep Air Conditioner Coils Clean

Tips to Keep Cooling Costs in Check

Sponsored Searches:

Curb Utility Bill

Save On Cooling Costs

Energy Star

Energy Meters

Comments:

.................................

How much did it cost to get the radiant barrier sprayed up in the attic.and what kind of extra insulation and what did that cost and the sq. footage covered?

Posted by leslie on January 10, 2009 6:13 AM

.................................

What is a solar radiant barrier sprayed on the underside?

Posted by anonymous on January 10, 2009 9:54 AM

.................................

You also should have a leak check, and repair done on the duct. Most installed duct that was installed before 2005 leak between 30% on up. When the ducts are sealed with a 15% leakage or less you can save up to 17% annually on your electric bill. Also caulk around all windows!

Posted by Wambo on March 29, 2009 4:35 PM

.................................

one way i save on utility usage is i cook for two days solid, I make enough meals for several months in those two days then I thaw and heat in the microwave, this not only saves on overall everyday usage of electricity, but I have a homemade cooked meal ready in a matter of minutes on any given day.

Posted by Crystal on April 02, 2009 5:03 PM

.................................

How much money did you save by not proofreading this article before you posted it? For crying out loud, there are so many misspelled words in here it makes me doubt the reliability of this whole site.

Posted by anonymous on April 09, 2009 2:16 PM

.................................

since when do you have to be a good speller to submit a good money saving tip?

Posted by anonymous on April 09, 2009 2:22 PM

.................................

EXACTLY! What a RUDE Comment. Watch out everyone we have the spelling police on our backs. People do get in a hurry you know.

Posted by anonymous on April 23, 2009 6:23 PM

.................................

Thank you very much for this information. Some of these things I was unaware of.

The biggest savings I've had this year came from just clicking the breaker to the hot water heater off when I finished washing dishes and bathing. It takes less than 30 minutes to get hot when I turn it back on. That one thing saved me $87.00 in 11 days!

Posted by maysday on May 17, 2009 11:17 AM

.................................

unplug all your applicances at night. it will shave bout 30% off your bill. example: microwave only plug in when needed, tvs,dvds, computers exc

Posted by anonymous on May 24, 2009 3:44 AM

.................................

How much did all that stuff cost to put in your house, and how long will it take you to recoup the cost?

My electric bill has been $12 for the last three months. It barely ever goes over $15.

I have not added any fancy stuff to my house except a ceiling fan in the living room ($300. It obviously paid for itself with my low electricity bills. All the other rooms have ceiling fans, and I also use a box fan and area fans.

Posted by anonymous on May 29, 2009 12:48 AM

.................................

i make my own energy by using a permanent magnet generator that generates 13.6v at 145 rpm, i use a 5.5v celphone charger to power 2/ 18.000 rpm motor that only use 3 volts like 4 doble aa batterys,and a 2500 watts power imverter and 7 12v batterys conected in paralel,5 to 9 dollars bill most of the time

Posted by anonymous on June 19, 2009 10:51 PM

.................................

WOW! thanks for the many tips. HOWEVER I take GREAT offense to the comment about poor spelling. Here's why..I was an ICU RN for 18 years in a major city. Sadly, 1 year ago I became very ill, was placed on life support + in a coma for quite sometime. Upon awakening from this coma I have had PROFOUND memory loss + that includes spelling, etc. Presently a friend of mine is typing this for me as I am still trying to re learn how to use a computer. People should be much more understanding. In the BIG picture does spelling REALLY count?

Posted by anonymous on June 25, 2009 2:42 PM

.................................

LOL spell check found a total of 4 errors, give them a failing grade. :) As a nation the sum of phantom loads could be eye opening, but the monthly $ cost to each household, most likely wouldn't be one of their largest budget busters

Posted by D on June 25, 2009 8:46 PM

.................................

"Shame" on the person who mentioned about people's spelling. I really thought twice about writing this, but I thought it necessary. These are some Great ideas on saving energy.
Thanks

Posted by Frankie C on June 27, 2009 2:59 PM

.................................

OMG! Get used to ppl writting wrong! whatever big deal........ remember bwhen you could not even spell you name...

Posted by your grandma nancy on July 03, 2009 12:52 AM

.................................

Isn't it amazing that someone would be ridiculed for spelling, when all they were trying to do was to pass on an opportunity to ones who most likely are suffering from the economic depression we are in. If I misspelled every word in this blog how much would it cost me. But if I overlooked the occasionally misspelled word, opened my eyes to the real message afforded me how much would I gain. It comes down to a favorite saying of mine "smart like rock, swift like tree". I live in Florida and was wondering if you have this offer here.

Posted by Joe, from Florida on July 13, 2009 8:36 AM

.................................

The radiant barrier really does work--keeps the house much more comfortable in Texas heat. We installed it ourselves, though--bought rolls of foil-lined insulation at Lowes and stapled it across the eaves. To make it easier, measure the spans (eave to eave) first and cut downstairs, then just move the pre-cut pieces to the attic.

One thing I want to try is a ceramic paint additive the next time we paint the outside of the house. See the info in the link provided.

Posted by anonymous on July 20, 2009 1:09 AM

.................................

Tell the grammar cop to go to work for CNN. I taught school for 20 years and am now able to decipher nearly anything--in 8 languages. Just be glad people care enough to share what they know. If many of the elderly were more computer literate and would take the time, our knowledge base would increase tremendously. "sex munce i cudn't evn spel eliturat, now i no i am wun."

Posted by Steve on July 23, 2009 8:29 PM

.................................

Might be poor typing rather than poor spelling. Poor typing may be a result of arthritis.

I read this and other Internet postings for content, not spelling. Especially on personal finance sites, many people whose education was interrupted for family financial reasons may be the best contributors of frugal ideas.

Posted by Former Spelling Bee champ on July 24, 2009 8:31 AM

.................................

only an idiot can spell a word one way

Posted by eddie on July 29, 2009 3:32 PM

.................................

My friend and his wife bought a new house that is 2600 sq. ft about 9 months ago. He immediately tinted all the windows like you would a car so the sun doesn't shine in as much. He also sprayed the solar radiant barrier on the roof and an extra inch of insulation in the ceiling of the attic.

It's been over 100 degrees here in San Antonio for 25 days in a row and he keeps the air on 80 degrees. He uses all Compact Flourescent bulbs as well and doesn't turn on all the lights just to watch tv or if he's not in the room, turn off the light. His computer is turned off anytime he's not using it as well.

His bill was 120.00 for July. So, do you think these tips save money? I do. Remember 2600 sq ft, 120.00 bucks, wow!!!!

Posted by Angela on July 29, 2009 6:20 PM

.................................

I am a new step mom and wife to two step sons and a husband who don't like to be bothered with a lot of "extra" work. I wondered how I might suggest some of these great "inconveniences" which I feel could really lower our $800 a month electric bill to $500 at least.. without bending them out of shape and getting them to do it and not blow it off

Posted by jenny on August 02, 2009 5:52 PM

.................................

We placed a timer on the hot water heater, and set it to be on for 3 hours each night (early morning). There is always plenty of water to shower with in the mornings. Cook meals over the weekend, freeze in two day portions, unthaw in the refrig, and reheat when needed with microwave. The electric bill dropped by half.

Posted by MyMoney on August 03, 2009 3:56 PM

.................................

Going Green may help save money & sell your home faster & for more $$$$$. I had the opportunity to paint an older home with bedrooms in the attic and the dormers on the inside with ceramic paint additive. Before we could touch the ceilings and walls and feel the heat. After applying 2 coats as recommended, these felt cool to the touch. We were blown away. This was an unfinished house and in the 100+ weather we have had the hottest summer on record here in Houston, TX, there were days I walked into this 2 story home to find in mornings the temp. was at 75 degrees. We are currently marketing this product and have since painted the insides of nonefficient older mobile homes, and found it indeed cooled the insides of walls facing the west. Also used the solar film on windows. The paint is very inexpensive at approx. $29/per gallon and gives a really nice sueded effect on the walls. Also another energy saver is the whole home surge protector, which extends life on appliances and can save 25% on wasted electricity. Please contact me for more info. kathysellskaty@yahoo.com

Posted by Kathy Radcliffe on August 03, 2009 11:18 PM

.................................

I live in Northern Illinois and I have R19 cross by a layer of R19 then crossed again by another layer of R19 for a total of a R57. When we first moved into our home over 20 years ago, it had a A/C with a seer of 5.5 and R19 in the ceilings. We figured our daily electric to run the A/C at $8 to $9 per dau thus we only turned the A/C when it was above 90 degrees. This was for about a 3,200 sqf five bedroom home. Two years later we upgraded to a central A/C with a 17 seer and the two extra layers of R19 in the ceiling. We now figure our electic for running the A/C and $1 per day. So we leave it on 24/7. Temperature at night when the A/C is on are 71, at 7 a.m. it jumps to 76, at 5 p.m. down to 74 and 10 p.m. it drops it back down to 71. Our highest electric bill including for the electric stove, lights, and etc was $131. For a buck a day, I love it and we sleep under a blank at night..............

Posted by Barry A Clarke on August 16, 2009 6:38 PM

.................................

-----------------------------------------

Share Your Comments:

Comments may need to be approved before they are displayed.

Comments:

Name (leave blank if you want to be anonymous):

Email Address (your email address will not be displayed):

Website URL (not required; please do not include "http://"):