Hi all. Just thought I'd post these energy saving tips we use here:
1. Year round -- When your dishwasher gets to the dry cycle, stop it by opening the door. A dw uses the MOST electricity in the drying cycle. By opening the door, you can let the dishes air dry and stop the cycle. The 1st time I did this, I sat in the kitchen and checked the time that it took for the dw to get to the dry cycle. Now I just set my kitchen timer and when it beeps, go in and open the door. In the winter, all the hot air/steam that escapes helps to heat the kitchen. In the summer when the a/c is on, just open the door a crack so that it doesn't heat up the kitchen so much.

2. Winter -- We take 2 1/2 gallon milk or juice bottles, fill them with water and put them outside when temps are below freezing (like it will be here this weekend in NJ!!!) When they're completely frozen, put them in the refrigerator on one of the top shelves. This will reduce the energy the fridge uses to keep the food cold. It really works -- I noticed that my 12+ year old fridge doesn't cycle as often when the bottles are in there! When the water in the bottles has melted by about 1/2, put them outside and freeze them again.

Anyway, just thought I'd share with all my new "friends" here.

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Kathy

I like the idea of the ice in the fridge -- I'll have to try that~

Marlene

Great ideas! I am going to try both of them. Please share more if you think of others too. I live in a restored old beach house and it dosen't have the best insulation so winters are really expensive here. If it wasn't for the amazing views I proabably would have sold this house years ago.

I love the jug of ice in the fridge idea...I am going to have to try that!! Thanks for the tips!

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~*~ Angie~*~
Wife to Brian
SAHM to Sarah & Andy 2/11/2000

After seeing my gas bill. I need all the help I can get. I will be trying the water in the freezer thing. I already do the dishwasher. Also, Most everyone know this. leave your oven open IF POSSIBLE, REMEMBER YOUNG CHILDREN TOUCH EVERYTHING..... Stove open after cooking.

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September Coupon Savings: $146.56
October Coupon Savings: $209.08

I don't have an EDIT button. but oven NOT stove. DUH

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September Coupon Savings: $146.56
October Coupon Savings: $209.08

I turned off the heated dry cycle on my dishwasher. That way I do not have to try to catch it since I usually run it when we go to bed!

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~Happiness is a large family~

Besides opening the door the dry the dishes, I also cut the washing time short. I reduce it by 20 minutes and my dishes are always clean. As clean as doing them by hand and I'm saving even more water and electricity!

I also just read that the dishwasher uses the most energy for the drying cycle so I've been cutting that out ever since.

The idea to place bottles with frozen water in the fridge is great! I've been breaking my head on how else I could cut our electricity bill and I will definately try that one!

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I also try to run my dishwasher at night too so they can stay in the machine overnight to dry. After the kids get on the bus the dishes get put away!!!! I'm going to try the bottle of ice trick- thanks. Linda