My hubby hates line dried clothes & towels, so I line dry them and then throw them in the dryer for 5 minutes! It still saves on electric bill and appeases him too.🤷🏼♀️
If the line dried clothes are too scratchy, use less laundry soap and they will be fluffy and soft. I love the smell of sheets that are dried outside in the fresh air. Sunshine whitens is a disinfectant too!
Add distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It removes leftover soap residue. Your clothes will not smell like vinegar once dried and will be less stiff after line drying.
If your freezer isn't full, fill empty milk or water bottles with water and freeze them. It helps keep the freezer from working so hard and helps keep food cool during a power outage (put a few in the fridge and leave a few in the freezer).
This isn't true, you are still removing the same amount of heat either way. It is still a good practice, but not because it saves energy. It's to keep your freezer from short cycling, which will make it last longer!
My Mom turned off the heat in rooms she didn’t use and ended up with mold problems in her house. In the long run it ended up costing her more. That doesn’t mean that it will happen to everyone, but you need to be aware of the humidity levels in the area that you live. She was also surrounded by trees. Some of them, pine trees, pretty close to the house. Just wanted to make a mention of the possibility.
If a home is sealed and dry you should have -0- problems a simple weather barrier under the house stops any moisture. And airing out your home is a must...you must let fresh air circulation in a home
Yes! We have tried many times to up the AC in the summer but it’s so humid where we are that it gets moist in the house without the ac cutting on to draw it out. I can’t go above 72 or my salt lamps start dripping (seriously humid).
I grew up in a house that had heating in only one room. Ventilation is the key.Open all windows at every opportunity if you don't have air conditioning.
I use oil lamps with mirrors for lighting! Oil lamps provide a great atmosphere and produce a lot of heat! I also use a catalytic wood stove! I have not bought any wood! I contact property owners that have standing dead trees and harvest them! They are mostly already seasoned enough to burn properly!
My husband has working in hvac for 15 years. Don’t use the most expensive filters on your furnace- it actually damages people’s furnaces from restricted air flow- use the cheapest ones.
We just built a new house. We put a wood stove in the basement. I’m so glad we did. It is not a big one but we keep it going and the heat pump or propane only kicks on during the night if the wood stove burns low. Started the fall with a full propane tank (80%) and even with canning on a gas stove, gas water heater and propane furnace as back up we still have 70% in our tank.
Man I’m 23 years old and honestly never used TH-cam for this category of education and honestly I feel like an idiot I spend a lot of time on TH-cam and some it is spent on educational content but never at a granular level like this. This is actually life changing. I wish schools at least had an elective class that covered things like this.Thank you for taking the time to share it with us! much love!
You’re articulate and write well. You realized the educational potential of TH-cam at 23. You’re not doing badly at all. Keep expanding your knowledge base 😊
I'm old enough that I grew up without a dishwasher, a/c, or clothes dryer. I honestly don't remember being too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. I know I was young but I also believe our bodies acclimate better without extra climate control inside our homes. This was proven true to me when as young adults with 3 kids, we lived over a year in Papua New Guinea, only 2 degrees off the equator with no a/c. We acclimated and did not miss the a/c at all. We also hand washed dishes and hung our clothes outside. Both excellent chores and good disciplines for children and adults to learn. I have to admit though, I'm back to enjoying the comforts of modern living now. But this conversation is a good reminder to all of us that it can be done.
We didn't even put a dishwasher back in the kitchen when we remodeled. Get blackout curtains for keeping heat out and cold out of windows. That has helped us a lot. Clothesline is a must!!!
No dishwasher, drying racks in the laundry room, outdoor showers in the summertime, filter change each month,summer day temp inside 80 and sleeping at 75. Been doing this for ages and I have always had one of the cheaper electric bill of others. There are so many ways to save if you just become aware.
Absolutely. He.re... even with a Swamp Cooler it could be 95*-85* at night... in summer but good to work With The Seasons.!!!! 150 feet of black hose in summer makes for an excellent shower or BATH every 15" When it's 110+ At 9am... It all works out. You are Amazing. Keep up the good work.
I have Very large Oak trees in strategic spots around my house and summer it’s beautifully shaded on roof and some sides, and winter it’s bare with a new Burnished Slate (darker) metal roof. Works well til about 82 to 84 degrees. Then I have to use more than ceiling fans but I do have energy efficient central air as back up. Outdoor showers are fantastic for keeping cool and I found a mister for cooling while sitting in courtyard works amazingly
We used to get solar lights for walkways, put them in styrofoam in a bucket and put them outside in the morning and bring them in at night. We had to split the lights into three buckets because it looked like the sun landed in our living room!
@@MeMe-sy4sb no. They’re the cheap ones that you stick in the ground. We stuck them in a bucket. One solar light lets you see your way on a sidewalk. Put a bunch together and you’ll get a lot of light.
Wonderful tips. 😂 I had to laugh about the clothes on the line. I grew up in Montana and I remember my mom hanging clothes out when it was a sunny winter day but they would always come in frozen. The jeans were the funniest. Frozen stiff! But they dried just had to warm them up again to fold.
I have an old wringer washing machine, a clothesline outside and a retractable one in the garage for cold/rain/snow. It saves an astronomical amount of electricity, water as well as detergent and dryer sheets.
I so wish I still had my agitator washing machine. I would give anything to have it again. If only I knew then what I do now.. I do have a spinner which is amazing.No regrets ever about buying that.
I live in the northeast in a neatly 80-year-old home. I’ve replaced windows (game changer!) and added insulation and use a good thermostat. Each change has impacted my energy consumption. This fall I’ll be updating two storm doors and replacing a door to the garage with a fire-safe insulating door. Increasing costs aside, I’m confident I’ll feel the difference once they’re changed out. Im retired (but also work at home [sitting at a desk]) and need to be comfortable, so I’m always looking for ways to do that without overheating the house. This year I’m being gifted a battery vest. I will also continue to use layers (long underwear that fits comfortably under my clothes), a vest always, wool (socks and sweaters), and scarves that add style and keep neck stiffness at bay. It’s too easy, yet my friends who grew up here can’t be talked out of their cotton sweat clothes or keeping all their rooms at the same temps. Finally, I get outside with my dog unless it’s sleeting. Moving around is key!
My water coming out of faucets from late spring to fall is perfect without my propane hot water even being on. Don’t need it til mid fall. This save $100s. My daughter noticed that her ground water was just the perfect temp and she lives in another state. Check it out many people could save lots of money! I didn’t think of this until my propane hot water tank quit working. I noticed a week later that my water was still warm! So glad it happened. Just got it fixed in January SO no go on frigid water in winter in the Ozarks for this 74 yr old but 3 seasons it’s a solid yes!
Not completely finished yet, but I have been acquiring older hand tools that don't require electricity, such as a trimmer using my hand and foot, or a manual garden plow. I enjoy the quiet atmosphere from not having any engines or motors running. Thank you for sharing.
I hang dry all my clothes year round in my spare bedroom, and I always wash in cold water with a detergent made for cold water specifically. We don't watch television, even though we have one, and I often run small appliances with a solar battery. Unplug all appliances when not in use, they draw energy even when in the off position. Cook outside over fire whenever possible.
Great points. Already doing. My tip: When using the dishwasher turn off the drying cycle. Those dishes are hot just open the door and they air dry in a few seconds. Thanks now go get warm.
In all but summer, I always have the dry cycle off on my dishwasher and as soon as the cycle is done, I open the door. Nice to feel the warmth and the added humidity makes it feel warmer too. In the summer I still have dry cycle off, but I just leave the door closed til it's all cooled down.
I'm 62 and very conservative on my bills , I bought my little homestead 8 yrs ago( 8 acres) The house was a fixer upper and was supposed to be move in ready .. lol. Till I called to get power turned on and ended up doing a total house rewire. I did a owners rewire and it took me a year and all my savings to do. So for 1 yr I lived on a temp pole that only had 2 plugs so no hot water Tank and no air conditioning Just the fridge and a light I learned alot about what you NEED to get by with little power and it was hard but a God sent teaching on how to get by and what you need and don't need. I cooked on a grill and a fire pit outside I also used that fire pit to heat my bath water one water canner at a time it was hard / cold weather...Burr standing over a pit outside in freezing weather trying to heat water but it taught me so very much I do have a buck stove so heat in winter was good just hard on a older woman by herself Cutting my own wood and splitting it and staying next to it at night to keep it burning enough to heat. My home was built in the 50's and old school houses have doors everywhere you can cut off any room and only heat or cool 2 rooms the kitchen and a bath where the water pipes flow..to keep them from freezing Folks during them days knew how to be conservative closing off not nessasarry rooms..for me by myself it worked great and when I bought it I had plans to open the rooms and make a more open house.. but again I learned why they built these farm houses this way and glad I ran out of funds to modernize it. Being raised on a farm myself I already knew how to raise gardens and animals and I can't remember a day I didn't have a garden and I've canned food for many years. Nothing tastes better then home grown food ! And now in this day with the store bought being questioned? It's a blessing to have this knowledge to grow healthy food and also save money The little farm keeps me productive and healthy . Your channel and way of life is so informative and I've learned alot from you. I guess it's true that you can never know enough ! Thank you for all your knowledge and great Imformation you helped me so much and but helping those without knowledge is a great blessing to "many" that do not know.. Thank you ! Your works are a blessing for many and you didn't have to use your time doing this. I share many of your vids to friends to help them along and also show them its not easy but it's can be done and it gets them motivated to give their family's more assurance to prepare for these times ahead of us your knowledge and sharing of it is God sent ! 🙏 Thank you again and May God bless you and your beautiful family for your works ! And again Thank you for all you do !
Great common sense!! We've been doing these things for a couple of decades! PRACTICAL!! Love my ceiling fans! If I have extra space in my freezer, I fill up water jugs to freeze and take up space. It helps keep the freezer COLD if you loose power, and just fills that empty space!!
We had water leak deep under the ground we didn't know about..Water bill was 600.00 just for water..Didn't count the repair. We do dishes by hand...we hang clothes to dry on clothes line. We use wood stove for heat..we use ceiling fans . We are 71 yrs old..
If you have a leak due to a pipe leaking that went unnoticed because it was underground you should be able to talk to your local utility company to let them know you had an accidental water leak. It happened to me here in Orlando Florida. They gave me a credit for the anomaly. They only charged the regular average monthly bill for that month. It doesn't hurt to ask. All they can say is no.
We live in an older home (built c 1940) and in the winter time we put plastic on the windows on the north side of the house to help keep out the cold. If the furnace is still running too much, we will tack blankets and quilts under the blinds to help keep the room warmer. Being in Illinois, any small thing we can do to reduce the gas and electric bill is helpful. We are hoping to move somewhere warmer this summer. If not we are putting up a second wall in our bedroom on the east and north walls to help keep the heat in. Our bedroom had been a porch converted into a bedroom and we think it doesn't have enough insulation in the walls. The insulation may also have settled downward in the wall cavity due to the insulation in the attic being the blown in type.
Most of my electricity usage is for cooling. I am in McAllen, Texas, where we have more than 60 days of over 100 degrees. I keep my A/C at 79F for the summer, and 60F for the winter. When I bought this house last May, the A/C ran non-stop for the summer. I had to take some emergency measures. I taped aluminum foils on windows from the inside. That cooled down the house a great deal, but sunlight still hit the window glass from the outside and heat up the glass and window panes. So, this year I taped aluminum foils on windows from the outside. That reflected heat away before it hit the glass, and my A/C no longer ran non-stop. In fact, I see a great reduction in energy bills. So, if you don't mind eyesore, tape aluminum foils on window glass is the way to go.
Lol about the lights! When I was growing up and I left a light on my Dad would ask me "You working for the electric company??" Needless to say, I don't leave lights on.❤✌
My dad was the same. He told me and my siblings, "This is a house and not the National Power Grid so turn off the lights when you leave the room." The irony was that my dad was an electrician working for GEC (General Electric Company). 😂
Yes...For those from the U.K, it would be 'it looks like the Blackpool Illuminations' !!! Followed by, " turn it off!'....😂. Now, I am doing the same....
TV is really bad get into a habit of pulling the plug out of the wall it helped me to save money. If you have a room with a lamp plug in and use do not use it unplug it this helped me to save money. I know people say you do not save a lot of money doing this but you do I also unplug my washer/dryer when I am done using it.
I live in a mobile home, in the winter I have to drip the water at night and sometimes even all day, this year I decided to put a large pot on both sides of the sink, when one filled up I'd just move the faucet to the other side, take the filled pot and pour it into a 5 gallon jug then use the water as needed for dishes, cleaning etc. And now we use dollar tree solar lights inside at night, I take them outside to charge in the morning and bring them in at night.
I turn my thermostat down to 65° in the winter. When I leave the apartment for work I turn it down to about 58° just to keep the chill off but not to consume extra energy when I'm not home. I also close off rooms when possible. I pile extra blankets on the bed and use flannel sheets in the winter but use a humidifier so the air doesn't get so dried out from the heat. I like my bedroom a little cooler to be able to sleep all night long. I hung triple lined drapes over my windows for extra insulation with sheer curtains behind them. It really DOES make a huge difference on comfort and your energy bill. I put weather stripping around my outside doors to keep the cold outside. I use a rolled up yoga mat across the bottom of my outside patio door for extra insulation.
Heat is set at 63, a/c set at 84. 100 year old house has little insulation. Hand wash dishes. One set of clothes per day. Jeans worn for at least 3 wearings. Dollar savings. Thanks for the good ideas.
I don't have a dishwasher which is fine with me. We are pretty mindful about not having too many lights on, but you did make me realize as I'm watching this in my dining room while I plan for the week, I realized I had a lamp on the table I turned on and turned the bigger dining room light off. You really covered a lot. The only thing I didn't hear you mention, but make sure to keep things unplugged that you don't use all the time. I used to have my electric can opener plugged in all the time, but that's one thing I make sure I only have plugged in when I use it.
Actually that’s not true. I grew up here in Minnesota near my grandparents. My grandma hung clothes on the clothes line every winter. I wondered how it was possible for them to dry. But it worked and she said the sun bleached her whites nicely, too. It’s a bit inconvenient because then you have to make sure underneath the clothesline is shoveled, but it is doable. Who would have thought!?!
My husband and I built our house about 4 yrs ago. We added spray foam insulation which was a pluss. Power bill in summer has never been over $100. Also people dont realize that unused things being plugged in still generate power usage. Inplug things not is use. Watch usage of plug in air freshners , night lights etc. Especially if these are in areas of your house u dont frequently use.
First time viewer as I just happened upon this channel today. Great suggestions! I use electric space heaters in our bedrooms and bathroom & kitchen here in Minnesota. We cut out watching TV, only use cell phones, plastic on windows with heavy curtains. We only use heat in living room and dining room when using those rooms. When our temperatures are very cold, we use wool blankets and down comforters on the bed. Eating warm soups and food help us stay warm too. If you stay hydrated, I found you’re less likely to be cold. I don’t use my gas furnace because it’s broke and too expensive to replace on disability retirement income. I rarely use the stove or oven, but when I do, I use it to make many things at one time and then freeze the meals to eat when it’s too cold in the kitchen to cook. Then I pop them in the microwave. A crockpot is helpful thing for cooking warm meals and we just eat for a few days from there and bring it up to our warm rooms to eat. My grandma used to hang her clothes out in winter. They always were fresh smelling and she said her sheets got white because the sun bleached them. Haven’t tried that yet but wash clothes at laundromat and bring them home wet to dry on racks or hang them on hangers on the curtain rod to dry. We use only our stove light in the kitchen 20 watt bulb as opposed to a regular 60-70 watt. Keeps our kitchen lit well. Looking at other options for lighting the house for long term. I’m thinking about hanging solar lights near windows. I used solar lights in my cabin though it’s a challenge on cloudy days to get a decent charge. Thanks for your video! Great content! Have a blessed day!
2:35 I'm going to have to debate this one, I've had several energy experts Tell me that a dishwasher will actually save you money, and newer dishwashers only use about 35 to $40 a year in electricity depending on your washing needs The other plus is the average American uses up to 27 gallons of water to wash dishes by hand. (Most people nowadays just let the water run and in 5 minutes that's 15 gallons + the electricity from the water heater) where a new dishwasher only uses about three to four gallons and they have built in heaters so You're not using hot water from your water heater
Great at vice sounds like where I came from I still hang out clothes I have a dryer I use it in the winter but not summer. I'm 73 year s old ways are good ways most of the time Dee
Great advice ! As always. I absolutely love hanging clothes outside on the line. They smell so fresh. And even hang them on hangers inside in bad weather. I use my dishwasher after Sunday dinner but for the most part I just wash the dishes. Lol my grandkids know that I have an Afghan on every couch or chair, if they get cold. But it’s amazing how many folks look at the thermostat before they decide they are too cold or too hot! Lol I remember going outside in the summer as a young girl and playing or reading under a big tree. (That was our air conditioner!) our society has grown too used to convenience and comfort, and we waste so much. And I agree with you about the lights! I have discovered that bright lights also seem to be “loud”. If the room is not so bright the kids seem to be quieter. And I’m the evening I turn my oil lamps on and enjoy the warm glow. Have a blessed day 🙏😊
I watched Cedar Creek Farms. Howie, (RIP) does a video on Frig care. He was a HVAC guy. Clean around the door gasket and put a very thin coating of Vaseline on it. It will give the door a good seal. I did this. I sprayed a rag with half vinegar and water. Wipe the gasket and the frig where it touches. Dry it. I put a little of Vaseline on a paper towel. Rub down the whole gasket. Wipe off excess. This will make a good seal. I did this, it gave it a good suction. Plus, I noticed that my fridge and freezer doesn't run as much.
When the dishes have gone through the rinse cycle, shut the washer off and open the door to air dry. It will also put moisture into the air, making it feel warmer in the house.
When you run the washer load the dishwasher as well so your hot water heater is running for 2 instead of just one. Bake and do the big meals on cold days to help heat the house. If you froze produce or bones for stock while its cold cook and pressure can it up when the weather is cold. I've hung the laundry out for it to get close to dry and then finish in the dryer as my husband doesn't like ruff towels. A fan set in just the right place can make the house feel warmer and the furnace actually run less, if there's a woodstove even better.
We have been using our fireplace as our main source of heat. Had to turn the furnace on during the polar freeze, but that's it! Have been hanging clothes by the fireplace. Using hot water only when we have to. Don't need hot water to wash hands, rinse dishes, or wash most clothes. Don't need to have the stove on the whole time that Instant Rice or pasta is cooking or turn it down. Using lids on pots on stove.
Our freezer is too full. But instead of doing No Spend January, I'm shopping sales and doing a few meals that are no meat and taken from the freezer. Also, canning some of the meats from our freezer. Today i did 14 pint jars of sausage(dry pack) and will do more pork roasts this week. Shop the sales and use up older products!! Do not slow down prepping!!
@@micheletremblay2244 I fry it, drain grease, put in jar and process. You can add chicken broth, but I think it makes it mushy. So, I dry can it And save your grease to cook with, like bacon grease!
Here in England I'm not just reminding my 20yr old to put lights out and close doors it's my husband as well!! He's been retired now only 2 months and he's the worst "child" ever 😂 God bless you for all your great advice 🙏 you are a family to be inspired by.
I was taught as a child that the first thing you do leaving a room ! Turn off the light !! As a single mom I taught my kids this and they are 26 and 28 now and they still remember ! It's convenience and habits . . If I had to put a note on their door I would do so ...also turning off Tv sets when not in use...in just 1 yrs time of just keeping lights off rooms no ones in . you could save enough for a vacation or more nessasarry things a family needs.. you just have to work together and that makes a great family come together ❤️
I have propane heat and woodstove. I am 60 and live alone. But I've been enjoying having no heat and under my many down comforters. I went for a couple of years without heating my home, mostly was outside , cutting and burning cedar trees. Wore many layers. As I type, i have my woodstove going . There is something really mentally healthy about sleeping in the cold.
@@chris2790 Yes and in the Summer, I go without AC, so that's a best way for staying single. Like the first thing I should tell a potential live in woman. No AC but some shade and water hose. lol Got a spring too to swim in.
@@deangriffin8997 gotta love it! I grew up with no AC and it was okay except for those hot sweltering nights. Ugh, terrible! How do you keep pipes from freezing?
We lived in Northern WI, where it’s quite cold in the winters, and we kept our heat down to 60 degrees at night. Better for sleeping and really saved on our heating bills
Dad used to count how many light bulbs were on! I always wash clothes in cold water. Don't allow water to run when washing dishes and drain hot water heater yearly to keep sediment from clogging it up.
I live in Florida and during the summer I used cheap 16.00 fan facing me while I sleep or in the living room. Keeps me cooler and not using the ac. Now I do set at like 80 because we can get mold if we let too much moisture in
My electric bill was high, and we had less usage. I don't run my dishwasher, wash large loads of clothes, instead of small loads. Have been trying to get my husband to put a clothes line. Hopefully, before spring. I keep multiple couch throws an blankets in baskets for the cold ones. Take short showers, just slightly warm. Only turn 1 light in living room on, an turn all others in the house off. All light off at bedtime. Use energy efficient bulbs. I try to keep electric bill down. I kept wattage down, price for wattage went up significantly. Have a good afternoon.
I love reading the helpful tips in the posts! 💝 Ya'll are a bunch of smarty pants!! Speaking of pants... Tip: According to Ralph Lauren, the best way to wash your blue jeans...unless they are muddy or stained, you can turn them wrong side out and spray them with white vinegar. If possible, let them dry and air out in the sunshine. Your jeans will last forever! Other clothes can be done this way too. Another tip: when you purchase PJ'S get the kind that can double as insulated undergarment.
I heard that a long time ago, (turning your clothes inside to wash them) but I never heard to spray them with vinegar. I do know white vinegar is a natural cleaner cleaner/germ killer; so in part, is that the reason for the vinegar? And I agree! You learn a lot on channels like this, by reading comments. Thank you, and God Bless.
My jeans aren't Ralph Lauren prices, so I'd rather wash in water..cold, maybe ...with or without detergent .Call me reckless and not rich 🫢😂🤣. I do appreciate the tip though X
Forgot where you live, but in Illinois it is a flat $50 increase on everyone, regardless of how much we use. Really hurts anyone living on social security. Feels like being targeted.
That's shady. You know the paying pay for those who can't pay too. It is disgusting. I think our monthly amount that is forced on us is in the low $20s for stupid "connection" fee.
I think that is the goal of all electric co. In my area all new construction has to be electric heat. They are trying to get all dependant on the grid. I have worked hard all my life. I waited to 66 to get full retirement. I reached the goal of paying off my house before retirement because my job had no pension. I have a small amt of IRA in a credit union that earned 26 bucks this year, so you can imagine how little it is. My ss is under a thousand after paying my Medicare and prescription drug plan, which btw only paid 22 cents for my metropolis,,and then 0 on the second year. Yesterday main stream media reports that the government is bellyaching about social security and reducing it by 23 percent and reducing the Medicare coverage. Any one else see that? President Clinton used social security funds to lower the deficit, why could he do that? No one is asking for that to be paid back, oh wait, the government produces nothing, so the only way to pay back is on the backs of the citizens. SMH this is a merry go round that will never stop until the colapse.
I put plastic on all my north facing, 2nd floor windows. I have done this for 2 years now because last year I couldn't believe how cold it was behind the plastic. My husband also found a flash sale at Home Depot and for $5 he bought 3 cute little lantern shaped motion sensitive lights that come on with movement up to at least 25 feet. I put one in the bathroom and now when I go into that dark area I know I just need to walk around the corner and a soft light turns on for few minutes then off again. Now I wish I had 5 more to scatter around.
LED lights (blue light) has been shown to impact brain physiology and potentially accelerate aging (as well as cause agitation, depression, stress, etc). We used LED lighting throughout our whole house as well and my neurologist suggested this could be contributing to my migraines. Now bringing back those old incandescent lights…
That’s stupid… they make LED lights in every range of light spectrum. They make LED lights with no blue light and exactly similar to incandescent lights range…. You sound old so thought I’d let you know you don’t have to use incandescent anymore.. just learn about the range of light spectrum and buy the LED with warm light.
I have a small window AC in the room where i do business for my clients but its shut off when they leave. I use ceiling fans. My wall furnace doesnt require power but propane costs a fortune so dont use it any more then i have to. I heat with a woodstove. I do use a baseboard heater but have it on s timer so it shuts off at 7 am when our power price goes up and it comes back on at 7 pm when the price goes down. I dont have a dishwasher, rarely have a radio on and no tv. Wool sweater, layers and socks and slippers in winter in the house and blsnkets for on the couch. I cant do cold showers but try to make them short and do them afterv7 pm or before 7. Pull blinds and/ or curtains to hold the cool in or the heat in.
Thank you for keeping us informed my wife and I use clothes line we also have the heat set on 67 degrees it doesn't hurt a.thing to set on the couch in evening with a blanket while u watch tv. You're right ceiling fans help to
These are some good frugal tips for saving energy. I purchased a couple of motion sensor USB rechargeable lights, one for the kitchen and the other for our hall. They work great, and there's no need to turn the lights on in these areas to see where you're walking or if you need to get something quickly.
I love my clothesline. I use it every chance I get. My daughter now has one and uses hers often as well. And i am the dishwasher in my home. Routine maintenance is a must on your units.
I use drying racks especially in winter when we got wood stove going as adds humidity to air which makes house feel warmer. Also heat dries out your wood furniture so drying racks add moisture to air
Great ideas thanks for the tips. I grew up with when you leave a room turn off the lights and close the door.. I've modified it some and use a door stop and leave the door open just a little. Another thing that will save $$ is if taking a shower turn the water on and get wet, shut off the water soap up and then turn it on and rinse off. Or take Short showers, like 5 minutes even though a longer one feels better.
I installed a wood boiler to heat 1700 square feet in SD. Literally saved me $200-400 a month in electric heat. I have the receipts to prove it. Sure it cost me a lot of time cutting and splitting wood, but that's my version of going to the gym I guess. Besides that it's almost therapeutic.
I do alot of the things that you suggested handwashing,clothesline,paper plates etc. And it does help maybe some people haven,t thought of so kudos for sharing
I've always been thrifty my heat went up because summit took over. I only used 55 dollars and I keep my house at 60. 40 dollars in taxes and handling charges this last month. I'm paying for charges that have nothing to do with my heat bill. I don't use a dishwasher and only do one load of laundry a month. Thank you for your video. But I'm doing everything I did before and my bill increased by 45 dollars.
Frig and freezer...it is more economical to operate if they are full. Fill in empty space with containers of water. When I built my house, I had extra HVAC ceiling vents placed above ceiling fans. They do not usually place vents above ceiling fans, but wow...it disperses the air like crazy!
Great Video! I totally agree about turning lights off and I'm a firm believer that when you leave a room turn the light off. We also run ceiling fans year round and they do make a difference.
I grew up in a home without a dishwasher. When I got older and bought my own home it came with a dishwasher, about 20 years ago now. It's never been used, I was always told you mess it up you wash it and we did. So my my kids were taught the same thing.
A clothesline is one thing I have been wanting. My mother wanted and used all the modern conveniences. So much so when the dishwasher broke my sister and I thought it was a treat to wash dishes. That was in the early 70s. My mom never taught us to cook either. I learned some after I was 18 and had my own apartment. I am not a big cook even to this day. It is so great you are teaching your children about life and work. God Bless you and your family.
Do everything except the cold shower! Plan on putting up a clothes line. Have given up the nightly huge tub soak…once a week now😊you forgot about lowering the water temp on water heater.❤
I now have mold in my bedroom, following *tip's*.Make sure you have good air flow round your window's, it's going to cost a lot more to fix mold than putting the heating on, if you live in a constant high humidity area.Meh lesson learned. Rechargable/battery light's. Hot water bottles. My laptop provides light in my room, I can put the brightness up if needed. Have a sink bath, wash cloth & soap.Not everyone needs a shower daily. Not everyone needs to wash their hair daily.It can be air dried if you have time. When the clothes have washed, re-spin cut's down on drying time. A smart dryer calculates drying time. A thermos for hot drinks, you can get upto 3L/5L ones called airpot's. Hang larger item's like blanket's, over door's or the shower rail/banister to dry if your home is warm/dry enough. Air fryer's are like ovens & grills, way cheaper than putting the oven on. Everyone has different circumstances/health issues, so remember some tip's may suit you & some could cause a health hazzard.If you need the heat on, put it on.
We like to add jugs of water to our freezer when we have space available. Doing this has saved us many times when the power went out, and they're great to keep coolers cold in the summer.
Great tips. We do most of these. Here's another: In the summer, we've started using a dehumidifier. It cuts way down on using the A/C. Fans, too, of course.
I purchased a scrubba bag to do my laundry for a year when I rented an apartment with no washer or dryer hookup. Bigger stuff I still needed to do at the laundromat. Definitely a product worth checking out.
I bought a hand washing machine (has a handlle for turning the clothes and water nside the bin) for off-grid living. So far, I haven't had the chance of using it. But we also dry our laundry on a clothes drying rack. I use the dryer for a few minutes to get rid of the lint (except for socks). Not all of our clothes get ironed, and I've never ironed bed linen.
Our electric company here in NC (Duke Energy) is going to have a meeting about increasing our bills over the next 3 yrs. They claim it’s because they need to upgrade the grids. I feel like we pay enough! Remember what direction the fan spins does make a huge difference! Lowing the air down during the summer makes it feel cooler as it blows down on you and blowing upward toward the ceiling during the winter to help move that heat that is rising up to the ceiling to be dispersed around the room and pushed back down. Wrap that hot water up!!! If you don’t have insulation then wrap it with old blankets and use ropes to tie them up. Use insulated curtains! During the winter open the curtains and let the sun in but when the sun lives then close them to hold that heat in the home. During the summer you might consider keeping curtains closed when the sun is shining in. Clean that dryer vent after every use if you’re going to use the dryer and make sure you clean the entire vent pipe often too to prevent a fire. Don’t wash clothes in hot water. Clothes do come clean with cold water. I even cut my dryer sheets in half because I’m frugal. But during the summer I hang my clothes out. If the towels are scratchy then toss them in the dryer for 10mins to soften but I put it in the fluff setting with no heat. Saves energy.
Put stoppers under all the doors 🚪 at the bottom. it keeps heat inside and the cold out .. I block bottom of the doors all year long. In the summer when I'm running ac it keeps the cold air in ,and the heat out really works well for me . They sell the door bottom stoppers almost everywhere even Walmart . I just use old towels dose not cost me anything . Ty For great information as always Cory, and God Bless the Mac's 👆💖🙏 . I'm not sure if I'm spelling your name right if not please forgive me Brother keep Looking up stay free 👆🙏
I’ve been using retractable cloths lines for outdoors the last 10 years. Just fluff them in the dryer for 5-10 minutes. Never been a fan of the clothes line look and I love the retractable ones because you don’t notice them at all. I also reuse the gel packs that come with foods or medicine. Just line the bottom of a chest freezer and stack the food on top. My freezers are in the garage and we live in Texas. If we loose power the gel packs will hold the cold. We also reuse Gatorade bottles. We buy 5 gallon water bottles and make our own bottled water. Gatorade bottles are dishwasher safe, I have some that are three years old. Wash the caps by hand. As a result we have bottled water stored everywhere. Family and friends collect them for us. Ultimate recycling project. We also keep all glass bottles and jars. Use them to store spices, beans, rice, any thing dry. Wine bottles for homemade wine or vinegars. If they don’t have screw on lids order corks from Amazon. The k-cups make great seed starter containers. Been wanting to share some of this for a while and today seemed like a good day. God bless you all.
I’m 100% on solar for the 3 yrs. I love it. No increase, YET! They already want well owners to self report water usage. What’s next self report on solar absorption? And I’m planning to have stove heat next winter to be 90% free of pay$$ fuels. 1-fork/spoon/cup/plate rule. And I use a chilled mug instead of ice. Use/Wash/refreeze
For 33 years our only heat has been wood. We moved the wood stove upstairs where we live and now use less wood to stay warmer (no forced air with my allergies). Our entire house has been LED lighting for at least 15 years. It has saved us at least $20 per month. The cost has been more than recovered for the LEDs. I prefer clothes that are dried outside (my grandmother's influence). We also have an on demand propane water heater and gas stove. Our electric is less than $100 a month (mostly water pump and dryer for those nasty days you can't dry outside) We have, years ago, dried clothes inside near the wood stove on temporary clothes lines. BTW we are in the nw portion of the Michigan mitt.
67 all winter, 75 all summer (utilize fans, in very room), hate using dish washer, would rather have pull out drawers than a dishwasher, have had a clothesline for 3 years, and haven’t used my dryer, maybe 10 times in the last 3 years. Have a gas fireplace, that we only use when we’re sitting in that room. Have lots of throws to utilize in other rooms. Have our system checked/serviced in fall and winter, and change our filters regularly. Haven’t done the cold water yet, lol, and we don’t bathe, just shower. We are meticulous about lights, and they’re not on unless we’re in that room. Thanks for all you do!! ❤️
Love ALL of these tips! My husband loves to crank the heat...ugh. However hanging up clothes on a clothesline only works maybe three months out of the year...maybe four ... Alaska 😀 Great info
I had windows installed that open on the top and bottom that way in the summer I can open the windows from top and bottom and the hot goes out on top and the cool at night comes in. I need no air conditioning here in eastern Washington. I also in the winter about turn the heat up to about 80 before I go to sleep and turn the furnace off till about 6 am. Switch to propane heater during the day and put warm cloths on.The other thing I do is during the day I cook and bake and preserve to keep 3 rooms warm the kitchen, bath and living room. Every other area of the house is closed off. This has saved me 50% or more on my Electric bill.
My issue isn’t what I’m using but the cost to have it come to my house in the first place. It cost more to get it here in a month than what I use on gas and electricity (uk) and it’s only going to go up in 10weeks it’s crazy. I’m already doing all on your list except the showers but they would cause me seizures as have tried in the past if I go into shock. But I’ve cut the shower 1 a week instead of 3 and I’m having a wash in the sink instead. Hoping that will help with the bills but we will see. If there’s anything else you think of please share as I can’t think of stuff.
I didn't read every post, but here goes "bubble wrap for the windows". One 12 in. x 150 ft. roll for under $20.00. Cut pieces to fit each window and mark to reuse each year. Use a small spray bottle to put a slight mist on the glass and press on to the glass. It normally stays up all season, insulates from the cold, reusable, allows light in, makes it hard for those outside to see in. We've used the same pieces for three years now and with the use of many of the suggestions listed in the comments, have noticed a difference in our electric bill. Stay warm.
thats what i do, I use 3 layers taped together to form panels that i tape on the windows and patio doors. it gets -40c where i live! I leave a 1 inch lateral gap on each window so i can see outside, same on the patio doors. it works well. I stuff think dish towels, trimmed to fit in between the sliding windows to seal drafts; put thick towels at the base of every window and the patio doors. works very well.
One tip to add... when its cold keep feet covered with warm socks! Also extra layers on the core of your body makes a huge difference. For example, wear an insulated vest and you may not need something long sleeved which makes you feel less restricted.
Our electric bill was higher this month than even in the summer ~ and ~ we heat with natural gas!! 🤷🏻♀️ Be careful shutting off too many vents!! We learned that when we had vents in the floor and my grandson shut about 4 of them. It burned up something in our central unit.
Hi yall! Make sure to get your oil furnaces cleaned each year, actually cleaned. Many companies come out and replace the nozzle and filter each year but don't actually clean your furnace and chimney crock. This makes your oil furnace less efficient and you use more oil. It's worth it for sure!
I agree to mist of what you said but turning heat down at nite doesn't do any good cause when you turn it back up in morning it just runs that much longer to heat house back up
Not in the South. Your heat doesn't work as hard if you use it during the warmest time of day. I'm retired so I sleep late. I might run the heat to take it from 58 to 63 and it gets the temp up in about 20 minutes.
I went from using central air to a small window unit. I put a fan in front of it to pull the cool air through to where I want it. I closed off the back rooms I don't use. My bill in summer is usually about $70. I try to run it in off hours. I also use a small fan in my bedroom. In nicer weather, I hang clothes out to dry. I use LED bulbs and I turn off all lights in the daytime and unplug appliances not in use. If you have an attic fan, this helps a lot. I stay outside most of the day when it's nice working in my yard and garden. Power rates are lower at night and on weekends so if I have to run the dryer, I run it after peak hours. Also, I don't cook a lot when it's hot. I eat salads, sandwiches, grill out or use the microwave instead.
I put in two faux white birch trees with the white xmas lights in the bedroom, instead of lamps. It's on a timer for 5-6 hrs at a time, then shuts itself off at my bedtime. Doesn't seem to use any electricity! Love your videos! I always say keep a bulk pack of the tealights, and a small wood burning stove, just in case you lose power. I have the tea lights even in the bathroom. You'll be good in a storm!
Yes the days of chores need a come back. I always had chores my children had chores. Today's children think it is below them to do such things. It comes down to a decision. Example my children age 7 and 8 received a potato peeler in their Easter baskets. If they wanted home made fries or mashed potatoes they had to peel them. With myself and husband in the service had standards. You clean your room you set and clear the table. Our son refused to tuck in his shirts, no problem i sewed lace on the bottom of every shirt. Enough said. Children should be included in chores. This builds caricature. I also hung clothes on the line or on bad days every cabnet door it was on the curtain hangers. Military had to iron every day anyway.
I agree with you nothing wrong with getting our children ready for the battle when they are on there own. I had chores every day so did my sister and my 2 brothers I am so glad it made me a stronger person..God Bless my parents
The only way to learn how to take care of and run a household is by doing chores. Sadly home-ec is no longer offered in most schools, nor are financial classes so these must be taught by parents or they'll never thrive.
Open your windows in the summer. With the breeze, you will be cool. I live in the New Mexico desert and only turned my AC on twice last year for about 4 hours each time. And the temp. gets over 100 for long periods of time here. Install a couple of ceiling fans, They do a great job and in the winter, you can reverse the blades and help with heating. Hanging your clothes on the line also extents the life of your clothes. What do you think the lint in the dryer is. It is fabric that the dryer has pulled off. I never have hat in my bedroom. There is a new invention called blankets. They are made to keep you warm. You can also turn your hot water heater down. If you need to add any cold water in your shower, then the water is set too hot. There are some very inexpensive solar lights you can use at night if you need lighting. One is the Lucy which comes fully charged and can be found at Walmart or Amazon. Amazon also sells solar light bulbs, each with its own solar panel. there are a lot of things we can do to help defeat the power companies if we want to.
After we shower and do dishes I shut the hot water tank off until the next morning. If I use small appliances(toaster, microwave etc…..) I unplug them after. I have an Amish clothes drying rack for winter ( next to my woodstove) and a clothesline in the summer. The heating man comes out once a year to check the furnace he taught me to buy cheap filters and change them once a month especially if you have pets.
I first want to tell you I love you channel. I do all the things you talk about , except the cold shower. But I have heard how good it is for you. Thanks for your videos. And may you and yours be safe.
Unplug things you are not using everyday. Appliances pull power so they can be at the ready for when you turn them on. This can save 5% on your bill. May not seem like much but every little bit counts.
The TV is the worse I also unplug my washer dryer when done...There is nothing plugged in in my house except my refrigator and stove.... It helped me...
We only use heat in the rooms we use! Blankets, sweatshirts and leggings when we watch tv. Bedtime is cuddle time! Blankets and body heat (including dog heat, lol!)
My hubby hates line dried clothes & towels, so I line dry them and then throw them in the dryer for 5 minutes! It still saves on electric bill and appeases him too.🤷🏼♀️
So does mine.
If the line dried clothes are too scratchy, use less laundry soap and they will be fluffy and soft. I love the smell of sheets that are dried outside in the fresh air. Sunshine whitens is a disinfectant too!
I do the same thing for myself. I’m going to try the less soap idea, thank you!
Add distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It removes leftover soap residue. Your clothes will not smell like vinegar once dried and will be less stiff after line drying.
I love line dried clothes.
If your freezer isn't full, fill empty milk or water bottles with water and freeze them. It helps keep the freezer from working so hard and helps keep food cool during a power outage (put a few in the fridge and leave a few in the freezer).
Great idea thanks!
Good idea, although I can’t imagine freezers that aren’t full. I have three, that are ALWAYS full lol. And two fridges that are full too.
Or fill your freezer with ice and stop using the ice maker in your refrigerator.
I do this too!
This isn't true, you are still removing the same amount of heat either way. It is still a good practice, but not because it saves energy. It's to keep your freezer from short cycling, which will make it last longer!
My Mom turned off the heat in rooms she didn’t use and ended up with mold problems in her house. In the long run it ended up costing her more. That doesn’t mean that it will happen to everyone, but you need to be aware of the humidity levels in the area that you live. She was also surrounded by trees. Some of them, pine trees, pretty close to the house. Just wanted to make a mention of the possibility.
Oh no
If a home is sealed and dry you should have -0- problems a simple weather barrier under the house stops any moisture. And airing out your home is a must...you must let fresh air circulation in a home
Yes! We have tried many times to up the AC in the summer but it’s so humid where we are that it gets moist in the house without the ac cutting on to draw it out. I can’t go above 72 or my salt lamps start dripping (seriously humid).
@@tystone48 we have spray foam under our pier and beam and still have humidity issues during the summer if the AC is above 72.
I grew up in a house that had heating in only one room. Ventilation is the key.Open all windows at every opportunity if you don't have air conditioning.
I use oil lamps with mirrors for lighting! Oil lamps provide a great atmosphere and produce a lot of heat! I also use a catalytic wood stove! I have not bought any wood! I contact property owners that have standing dead trees and harvest them! They are mostly already seasoned enough to burn properly!
My husband has working in hvac for 15 years. Don’t use the most expensive filters on your furnace- it actually damages people’s furnaces from restricted air flow- use the cheapest ones.
We just built a new house. We put a wood stove in the basement. I’m so glad we did. It is not a big one but we keep it going and the heat pump or propane only kicks on during the night if the wood stove burns low. Started the fall with a full propane tank (80%) and even with canning on a gas stove, gas water heater and propane furnace as back up we still have 70% in our tank.
I use pellet stove in the winter it’s better than a wood stove. I have used both
Man I’m 23 years old and honestly never used TH-cam for this category of education and honestly I feel like an idiot I spend a lot of time on TH-cam and some it is spent on educational content but never at a granular level like this. This is actually life changing. I wish schools at least had an elective class that covered things like this.Thank you for taking the time to share it with us! much love!
You’re articulate and write well. You realized the educational potential of TH-cam at 23. You’re not doing badly at all. Keep expanding your knowledge base 😊
Yes it would be great if the schools had a home maintenance & efficiency class.
I here a lot of bs to make your life harder and more uncomfortable
Maintain the rubber seal(gasket) on your freezer/ refrigerator.
Dryer:. Use 8 tennis balls in your dryer and forget the fabric softener. Dries clothes faster with no wrinkles or static cling.
They make dryer wool balls. It's better
I'm old enough that I grew up without a dishwasher, a/c, or clothes dryer. I honestly don't remember being too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. I know I was young but I also believe our bodies acclimate better without extra climate control inside our homes. This was proven true to me when as young adults with 3 kids, we lived over a year in Papua New Guinea, only 2 degrees off the equator with no a/c. We acclimated and did not miss the a/c at all. We also hand washed dishes and hung our clothes outside. Both excellent chores and good disciplines for children and adults to learn. I have to admit though, I'm back to enjoying the comforts of modern living now. But this conversation is a good reminder to all of us that it can be done.
We didn't even put a dishwasher back in the kitchen when we remodeled. Get blackout curtains for keeping heat out and cold out of windows. That has helped us a lot. Clothesline is a must!!!
No dishwasher, drying racks in the laundry room, outdoor showers in the summertime, filter change each month,summer day temp inside 80 and sleeping at 75. Been doing this for ages and I have always had one of the cheaper electric bill of others. There are so many ways to save if you just become aware.
Absolutely. He.re... even with a Swamp Cooler it could be 95*-85* at night... in summer but good to work With The Seasons.!!!! 150 feet of black hose in summer makes for an excellent shower or BATH every 15" When it's 110+ At 9am... It all works out.
You are Amazing. Keep up the good work.
Absolutely! You’re doing great. Thanks for sharing. We’re in northern Michigan.
80 during the day 79 at night during the summer. If you think that's to hot for the summer, go outside in South Louisiana. 80 feels great.
Good job, but…
If you are already doing these things how are you going to save now as the price of energy that you do use is going to skyrocket? 😢
I have Very large Oak trees in strategic spots around my house and summer it’s beautifully shaded on roof and some sides, and winter it’s bare with a new Burnished Slate (darker) metal roof.
Works well til about 82 to 84 degrees. Then I have to use more than ceiling fans but I do have energy efficient central air as back up.
Outdoor showers are fantastic for keeping cool and I found a mister for cooling while sitting in courtyard works amazingly
We used to get solar lights for walkways, put them in styrofoam in a bucket and put them outside in the morning and bring them in at night. We had to split the lights into three buckets because it looked like the sun landed in our living room!
I never thought of that. Great idea. Thank you.
Just charge a drill battery with solar. Then use led with the battery.
@@TheRainHarvester great idea. How do you connect the lights … do you need inverter?
@@MeMe-sy4sb no. They’re the cheap ones that you stick in the ground. We stuck them in a bucket. One solar light lets you see your way on a sidewalk. Put a bunch together and you’ll get a lot of light.
@@shellyscholz1256 ohhhh 👍
Wonderful tips. 😂 I had to laugh about the clothes on the line. I grew up in Montana and I remember my mom hanging clothes out when it was a sunny winter day but they would always come in frozen. The jeans were the funniest. Frozen stiff! But they dried just had to warm them up again to fold.
Yeah, karate practice = folding line dried jeans.
People in Siberia, for example, dry their clothes outside even in the winter time.
I have an old wringer washing machine, a clothesline outside and a retractable one in the garage for cold/rain/snow. It saves an astronomical amount of electricity, water as well as detergent and dryer sheets.
I so wish I still had my agitator washing machine. I would give anything to have it again. If only I knew then what I do now.. I do have a spinner which is amazing.No regrets ever about buying that.
I live in the northeast in a neatly 80-year-old home. I’ve replaced windows (game changer!) and added insulation and use a good thermostat. Each change has impacted my energy consumption. This fall I’ll be updating two storm doors and replacing a door to the garage with a fire-safe insulating door. Increasing costs aside, I’m confident I’ll feel the difference once they’re changed out. Im retired (but also work at home [sitting at a desk]) and need to be comfortable, so I’m always looking for ways to do that without overheating the house. This year I’m being gifted a battery vest. I will also continue to use layers (long underwear that fits comfortably under my clothes), a vest always, wool (socks and sweaters), and scarves that add style and keep neck stiffness at bay. It’s too easy, yet my friends who grew up here can’t be talked out of their cotton sweat clothes or keeping all their rooms at the same temps. Finally, I get outside with my dog unless it’s sleeting. Moving around is key!
My water coming out of faucets from late spring to fall is perfect without my propane hot water even being on. Don’t need it til mid fall. This save $100s. My daughter noticed that her ground water was just the perfect temp and she lives in another state. Check it out many people could save lots of money!
I didn’t think of this until my propane hot water tank quit working. I noticed a week later that my water was still warm!
So glad it happened.
Just got it fixed in January SO no go on frigid water in winter in the Ozarks for this 74 yr old but 3 seasons it’s a solid yes!
Not completely finished yet, but I have been acquiring older hand tools that don't require electricity, such as a trimmer using my hand and foot, or a manual garden plow. I enjoy the quiet atmosphere from not having any engines or motors running. Thank you for sharing.
I hang dry all my clothes year round in my spare bedroom, and I always wash in cold water with a detergent made for cold water specifically. We don't watch television, even though we have one, and I often run small appliances with a solar battery. Unplug all appliances when not in use, they draw energy even when in the off position. Cook outside over fire whenever possible.
My HVAC person says not to close vents. Apparently it's hard on the HVAC unit.
Yep i posted the same: premature condensor failure
Great points. Already doing. My tip: When using the dishwasher turn off the drying cycle. Those dishes are hot just open the door and they air dry in a few seconds.
Thanks now go get warm.
In all but summer, I always have the dry cycle off on my dishwasher and as soon as the cycle is done, I open the door. Nice to feel the warmth and the added humidity makes it feel warmer too. In the summer I still have dry cycle off, but I just leave the door closed til it's all cooled down.
I'm 62 and very conservative on my bills , I bought my little homestead 8 yrs ago( 8 acres)
The house was a fixer upper and was supposed to be move in ready .. lol. Till I called to get power turned on and ended up doing a total house rewire. I did a owners rewire and it took me a year and all my savings to do. So for 1 yr I lived on a temp pole that only had 2 plugs so no hot water Tank and no air conditioning
Just the fridge and a light
I learned alot about what you NEED to get by with little power and it was hard but a God sent teaching on how to get by and what you need and don't need. I cooked on a grill and a fire pit outside I also used that fire pit to heat my bath water one water canner at a time it was hard / cold weather...Burr standing over a pit outside in freezing weather trying to heat water but it taught me so very much
I do have a buck stove so heat in winter was good just hard on a older woman by herself
Cutting my own wood and splitting it and staying next to it at night to keep it burning enough to heat. My home was built in the 50's and old school houses have doors everywhere you can cut off any room and only heat or cool 2 rooms the kitchen and a bath where the water pipes flow..to keep them from freezing Folks during them days knew how to be conservative closing off not nessasarry rooms..for me by myself it worked great and when I bought it I had plans to open the rooms and make a more open house.. but again I learned why they built these farm houses this way and glad I ran out of funds to modernize it. Being raised on a farm myself I already knew how to raise gardens and animals and I can't remember a day I didn't have a garden and I've canned food for many years. Nothing tastes better then home grown food ! And now in this day with the store bought being questioned?
It's a blessing to have this knowledge to grow healthy food and also save money
The little farm keeps me productive and healthy .
Your channel and way of life is so informative and I've learned alot from you. I guess it's true that you can never know enough ! Thank you for all your knowledge and great Imformation you helped me so much and but helping those without knowledge is a great blessing to "many" that do not know.. Thank you !
Your works are a blessing for many and you didn't have to use your time doing this.
I share many of your vids to friends to help them along and also show them its not easy but it's can be done and it gets them motivated to give their family's more assurance to prepare for these times ahead of us your knowledge and sharing of it
is God sent ! 🙏 Thank you again and May God bless you and your beautiful family for your works ! And again Thank you for all you do !
❤❤❤
Great common sense!! We've been doing these things for a couple of decades! PRACTICAL!! Love my ceiling fans! If I have extra space in my freezer, I fill up water jugs to freeze and take up space. It helps keep the freezer COLD if you loose power, and just fills that empty space!!
We had water leak deep under the ground we didn't know about..Water bill was 600.00 just for water..Didn't count the repair. We do dishes by hand...we hang clothes to dry on clothes line. We use wood stove for heat..we use ceiling fans .
We are 71 yrs old..
If you have a leak due to a pipe leaking that went unnoticed because it was underground you should be able to talk to your local utility company to let them know you had an accidental water leak. It happened to me here in Orlando Florida. They gave me a credit for the anomaly. They only charged the regular average monthly bill for that month. It doesn't hurt to ask. All they can say is no.
Hot weather (low humidity) with wind id the best to hang clothes
We live in an older home (built c 1940) and in the winter time we put plastic on the windows on the north side of the house to help keep out the cold. If the furnace is still running too much, we will tack blankets and quilts under the blinds to help keep the room warmer. Being in Illinois, any small thing we can do to reduce the gas and electric bill is helpful. We are hoping to move somewhere warmer this summer. If not we are putting up a second wall in our bedroom on the east and north walls to help keep the heat in. Our bedroom had been a porch converted into a bedroom and we think it doesn't have enough insulation in the walls. The insulation may also have settled downward in the wall cavity due to the insulation in the attic being the blown in type.
Most of my electricity usage is for cooling. I am in McAllen, Texas, where we have more than 60 days of over 100 degrees. I keep my A/C at 79F for the summer, and 60F for the winter.
When I bought this house last May, the A/C ran non-stop for the summer. I had to take some emergency measures. I taped aluminum foils on windows from the inside. That cooled down the house a great deal, but sunlight still hit the window glass from the outside and heat up the glass and window panes. So, this year I taped aluminum foils on windows from the outside. That reflected heat away before it hit the glass, and my A/C no longer ran non-stop. In fact, I see a great reduction in energy bills. So, if you don't mind eyesore, tape aluminum foils on window glass is the way to go.
leave a 1 inch lateral strip open so u can see out.
Lol about the lights! When I was growing up and I left a light on my Dad would ask me "You working for the electric company??" Needless to say, I don't leave lights on.❤✌
My dad used to say, “ you’re going to have to marry the electric company president’s son. “ Probably would have worked out better for me. 🦶🏽
My dad was the same. He told me and my siblings, "This is a house and not the National Power Grid so turn off the lights when you leave the room." The irony was that my dad was an electrician working for GEC (General Electric Company). 😂
Yes...For those from the U.K, it would be 'it looks like the Blackpool Illuminations' !!! Followed by, " turn it off!'....😂. Now, I am doing the same....
Some cords like phone chargers use energy when plugged in - unplug those types of cords when not using
TV is really bad get into a habit of pulling the plug out of the wall it helped me to save money. If you have a room with a lamp plug in and use do not use it unplug it this helped me to save money. I know people say you do not save a lot of money doing this but you do I also unplug my washer/dryer when I am done using it.
Any occupied plug draws vampire energy.
Safer too!!!??
I live in a mobile home, in the winter I have to drip the water at night and sometimes even all day, this year I decided to put a large pot on both sides of the sink, when one filled up I'd just move the faucet to the other side, take the filled pot and pour it into a 5 gallon jug then use the water as needed for dishes, cleaning etc. And now we use dollar tree solar lights inside at night, I take them outside to charge in the morning and bring them in at night.
I turn my thermostat down to 65° in the winter. When I leave the apartment for work I turn it down to about 58° just to keep the chill off but not to consume extra energy when I'm not home. I also close off rooms when possible. I pile extra blankets on the bed and use flannel sheets in the winter but use a humidifier so the air doesn't get so dried out from the heat. I like my bedroom a little cooler to be able to sleep all night long. I hung triple lined drapes over my windows for extra insulation with sheer curtains behind them. It really DOES make a huge difference on comfort and your energy bill. I put weather stripping around my outside doors to keep the cold outside. I use a rolled up yoga mat across the bottom of my outside patio door for extra insulation.
Heat is set at 63, a/c set at 84. 100 year old house has little insulation. Hand wash dishes. One set of clothes per day. Jeans worn for at least 3 wearings. Dollar savings. Thanks for the good ideas.
i wear 1 pr of jeans for the whole week.
Not that you want to buy a dishwasher...but the energy savings are great.... They use less energy than hand washing to be honest
@@desireeretiree i suppose it wd depend on how much daily dishes need to b washed.
I don't have a dishwasher which is fine with me. We are pretty mindful about not having too many lights on, but you did make me realize as I'm watching this in my dining room while I plan for the week, I realized I had a lamp on the table I turned on and turned the bigger dining room light off. You really covered a lot. The only thing I didn't hear you mention, but make sure to keep things unplugged that you don't use all the time. I used to have my electric can opener plugged in all the time, but that's one thing I make sure I only have plugged in when I use it.
Cold and snow in my zone so not hanging things outside. However my drying rack and clothes hangers work great beside the wood stove.
Actually that’s not true. I grew up here in Minnesota near my grandparents. My grandma hung clothes on the clothes line every winter. I wondered how it was possible for them to dry. But it worked and she said the sun bleached her whites nicely, too. It’s a bit inconvenient because then you have to make sure underneath the clothesline is shoveled, but it is doable. Who would have thought!?!
I do that occasionally. I also use a bathroom shower rod for hanging shirts, underwear on socks. Works very well and of course reduces drier use.
Im told to hang the clothes to freeze them then hang them inside because it stops the excess water in your house
My husband and I built our house about 4 yrs ago. We added spray foam insulation which was a pluss. Power bill in summer has never been over $100. Also people dont realize that unused things being plugged in still generate power usage. Inplug things not is use. Watch usage of plug in air freshners , night lights etc. Especially if these are in areas of your house u dont frequently use.
The only thing you lost me on was cold showers....thanks for the rest of the list!
First time viewer as I just happened upon this channel today. Great suggestions! I use electric space heaters in our bedrooms and bathroom & kitchen here in Minnesota. We cut out watching TV, only use cell phones, plastic on windows with heavy curtains. We only use heat in living room and dining room when using those rooms. When our temperatures are very cold, we use wool blankets and down comforters on the bed. Eating warm soups and food help us stay warm too. If you stay hydrated, I found you’re less likely to be cold. I don’t use my gas furnace because it’s broke and too expensive to replace on disability retirement income. I rarely use the stove or oven, but when I do, I use it to make many things at one time and then freeze the meals to eat when it’s too cold in the kitchen to cook. Then I pop them in the microwave. A crockpot is helpful thing for cooking warm meals and we just eat for a few days from there and bring it up to our warm rooms to eat.
My grandma used to hang her clothes out in winter. They always were fresh smelling and she said her sheets got white because the sun bleached them. Haven’t tried that yet but wash clothes at laundromat and bring them home wet to dry on racks or hang them on hangers on the curtain rod to dry. We use only our stove light in the kitchen 20 watt bulb as opposed to a regular 60-70 watt. Keeps our kitchen lit well. Looking at other options for lighting the house for long term. I’m thinking about hanging solar lights near windows. I used solar lights in my cabin though it’s a challenge on cloudy days to get a decent charge. Thanks for your video! Great content! Have a blessed day!
Thanks!
2:35 I'm going to have to debate this one, I've had several energy experts Tell me that a dishwasher will actually save you money, and newer dishwashers only use about 35 to $40 a year in electricity depending on your washing needs The other plus is the average American uses up to 27 gallons of water to wash dishes by hand. (Most people nowadays just let the water run and in 5 minutes that's 15 gallons + the electricity from the water heater) where a new dishwasher only uses about three to four gallons and they have built in heaters so You're not using hot water from your water heater
Great at vice sounds like where I came from I still hang out clothes I have a dryer I use it in the winter but not summer. I'm 73 year s old ways are good ways most of the time Dee
Great advice ! As always. I absolutely love hanging clothes outside on the line. They smell so fresh. And even hang them on hangers inside in bad weather. I use my dishwasher after Sunday dinner but for the most part I just wash the dishes. Lol my grandkids know that I have an Afghan on every couch or chair, if they get cold. But it’s amazing how many folks look at the thermostat before they decide they are too cold or too hot! Lol I remember going outside in the summer as a young girl and playing or reading under a big tree. (That was our air conditioner!) our society has grown too used to convenience and comfort, and we waste so much.
And I agree with you about the lights! I have discovered that bright lights also seem to be “loud”. If the room is not so bright the kids seem to be quieter. And I’m the evening I turn my oil lamps on and enjoy the warm glow.
Have a blessed day 🙏😊
❤
I watched Cedar Creek Farms. Howie, (RIP) does a video on Frig care. He was a HVAC guy. Clean around the door gasket and put a very thin coating of Vaseline on it. It will give the door a good seal.
I did this. I sprayed a rag with half vinegar and water. Wipe the gasket and the frig where it touches. Dry it. I put a little of Vaseline on a paper towel. Rub down the whole gasket. Wipe off excess. This will make a good seal. I did this, it gave it a good suction. Plus, I noticed that my fridge and freezer doesn't run as much.
When the dishes have gone through the rinse cycle, shut the washer off and open the door to air dry. It will also put moisture into the air, making it feel warmer in the house.
When you run the washer load the dishwasher as well so your hot water heater is running for 2 instead of just one.
Bake and do the big meals on cold days to help heat the house. If you froze produce or bones for stock while its cold cook and pressure can it up when the weather is cold.
I've hung the laundry out for it to get close to dry and then finish in the dryer as my husband doesn't like ruff towels.
A fan set in just the right place can make the house feel warmer and the furnace actually run less, if there's a woodstove even better.
We have been using our fireplace as our main source of heat. Had to turn the furnace on during the polar freeze, but that's it! Have been hanging clothes by the fireplace. Using hot water only when we have to. Don't need hot water to wash hands, rinse dishes, or wash most clothes. Don't need to have the stove on the whole time that Instant Rice or pasta is cooking or turn it down. Using lids on pots on stove.
Our freezer is too full. But instead of doing No Spend January, I'm shopping sales and doing a few meals that are no meat and taken from the freezer. Also, canning some of the meats from our freezer. Today i did 14 pint jars of sausage(dry pack) and will do more pork roasts this week. Shop the sales and use up older products!! Do not slow down prepping!!
Prepping for what ? America is GONE . And the rapture just around the corner ,
@jodi lee. How did you can the sausage?
@@micheletremblay2244 I fry it, drain grease, put in jar and process. You can add chicken broth, but I think it makes it mushy. So, I dry can it
And save your grease to cook with, like bacon grease!
@@jodilee1563 how do you dry can
Here in England I'm not just reminding my 20yr old to put lights out and close doors it's my husband as well!! He's been retired now only 2 months and he's the worst "child" ever 😂
God bless you for all your great advice 🙏 you are a family to be inspired by.
Put a filter on the filter that can be washed I know but just just give it a try believe me you will be suprised
I was taught as a child that the first thing you do leaving a room ! Turn off the light !!
As a single mom I taught my kids this and they are 26 and 28 now and they still remember ! It's convenience and habits . . If I had to put a note on their door I would do so ...also turning off Tv sets when not in use...in just 1 yrs time of just keeping lights off rooms no ones in . you could save enough for a vacation or more nessasarry things a family needs.. you just have to work together
and that makes a great family come together ❤️
Switch your WiFi router off at night whilst sleeping.. this will save you £’ssssss…
@@berlwright3004please elaborate 😊
I have propane heat and woodstove. I am 60 and live alone. But I've been enjoying having no heat and under my many down comforters. I went for a couple of years without heating my home, mostly was outside , cutting and burning cedar trees. Wore many layers. As I type, i have my woodstove going . There is something really mentally healthy about sleeping in the cold.
It's good for keeping you single too!
@@chris2790 Yes and in the Summer, I go without AC, so that's a best way for staying single. Like the first thing I should tell a potential live in woman. No AC but some shade and water hose. lol Got a spring too to swim in.
@@deangriffin8997 gotta love it!
I grew up with no AC and it was okay except for those hot sweltering nights. Ugh, terrible!
How do you keep pipes from freezing?
We lived in Northern WI, where it’s quite cold in the winters, and we kept our heat down to 60 degrees at night. Better for sleeping and really saved on our heating bills
@@chris2790 LOL!
Dad used to count how many light bulbs were on! I always wash clothes in cold water. Don't allow water to run when washing dishes and drain hot water heater yearly to keep sediment from clogging it up.
Can you please tell me how? I know you should, but have
No idea what to do.I am in New Zealand though..thank you 😊
@desireeretiree Hello, if you are talking about the hot water heater, you need a plumber in case there is a problem.
I live in Florida and during the summer I used cheap 16.00 fan facing me while I sleep or in the living room. Keeps me cooler and not using the ac. Now I do set at like 80 because we can get mold if we let too much moisture in
My electric bill was high, and we had less usage. I don't run my dishwasher, wash large loads of clothes, instead of small loads. Have been trying to get my husband to put a clothes line. Hopefully, before spring. I keep multiple couch throws an blankets in baskets for the cold ones. Take short showers, just slightly warm. Only turn 1 light in living room on, an turn all others in the house off. All light off at bedtime. Use energy efficient bulbs. I try to keep electric bill down. I kept wattage down, price for wattage went up significantly. Have a good afternoon.
We have a dishwasher but I use it to air dry my dishes so that they are not all over the counter.
Thats me too~
I love reading the helpful tips in the posts! 💝
Ya'll are a bunch of smarty pants!! Speaking of pants...
Tip: According to Ralph Lauren, the best way to wash your blue jeans...unless they are muddy or stained, you can turn them wrong side out and spray them with white vinegar. If possible, let them dry and air out in the sunshine. Your jeans will last forever! Other clothes can be done this way too.
Another tip: when you purchase PJ'S get the kind that can double as insulated undergarment.
I heard that a long time ago, (turning your clothes inside to wash them) but I never heard to spray them with vinegar. I do know white vinegar is a natural cleaner cleaner/germ killer; so in part, is that the reason for the vinegar? And I agree! You learn a lot on channels like this, by reading comments. Thank you, and God Bless.
@@Barbara_Banks_1 you are correct, vinegar kills germs and so does sunshine.
My jeans aren't Ralph Lauren prices, so I'd rather wash in water..cold, maybe ...with or without detergent .Call me reckless and not rich 🫢😂🤣. I do appreciate the tip though X
Forgot where you live, but in Illinois it is a flat $50 increase on everyone, regardless of how much we use. Really hurts anyone living on social security. Feels like being targeted.
That's shady. You know the paying pay for those who can't pay too. It is disgusting. I think our monthly amount that is forced on us is in the low $20s for stupid "connection" fee.
I think that is the goal of all electric co. In my area all new construction has to be electric heat. They are trying to get all dependant on the grid. I have worked hard all my life. I waited to 66 to get full retirement. I reached the goal of paying off my house before retirement because my job had no pension. I have a small amt of IRA in a credit union that earned 26 bucks this year, so you can imagine how little it is. My ss is under a thousand after paying my Medicare and prescription drug plan, which btw only paid 22 cents for my metropolis,,and then 0 on the second year. Yesterday main stream media reports that the government is bellyaching about social security and reducing it by 23 percent and reducing the Medicare coverage. Any one else see that? President Clinton used social security funds to lower the deficit, why could he do that? No one is asking for that to be paid back, oh wait, the government produces nothing, so the only way to pay back is on the backs of the citizens. SMH this is a merry go round that will never stop until the colapse.
I put plastic on all my north facing, 2nd floor windows. I have done this for 2 years now because last year I couldn't believe how cold it was behind the plastic. My husband also found a flash sale at Home Depot and for $5 he bought 3 cute little lantern shaped motion sensitive lights that come on with movement up to at least 25 feet. I put one in the bathroom and now when I go into that dark area I know I just need to walk around the corner and a soft light turns on for few minutes then off again. Now I wish I had 5 more to scatter around.
LED lights (blue light) has been shown to impact brain physiology and potentially accelerate aging (as well as cause agitation, depression, stress, etc). We used LED lighting throughout our whole house as well and my neurologist suggested this could be contributing to my migraines. Now bringing back those old incandescent lights…
That’s stupid… they make LED lights in every range of light spectrum. They make LED lights with no blue light and exactly similar to incandescent lights range…. You sound old so thought I’d let you know you don’t have to use incandescent anymore.. just learn about the range of light spectrum and buy the LED with warm light.
Just get warm led light
@@arturow2686exactly 👍 all of our lights are LED but warm white. So much nicer on the eyes!
Vit D3 solved my nightmares
I have a small window AC in the room where i do business for my clients but its shut off when they leave. I use ceiling fans. My wall furnace doesnt require power but propane costs a fortune so dont use it any more then i have to. I heat with a woodstove. I do use a baseboard heater but have it on s timer so it shuts off at 7 am when our power price goes up and it comes back on at 7 pm when the price goes down. I dont have a dishwasher, rarely have a radio on and no tv.
Wool sweater, layers and socks and slippers in winter in the house and blsnkets for on the couch. I cant do cold showers but try to make them short and do them afterv7 pm or before 7. Pull blinds and/ or curtains to hold the cool in or the heat in.
Thank you for keeping us informed my wife and I use clothes line we also have the heat set on 67 degrees it doesn't hurt a.thing to set on the couch in evening with a blanket while u watch tv. You're right ceiling fans help to
These are some good frugal tips for saving energy. I purchased a couple of motion sensor USB rechargeable lights, one for the kitchen and the other for our hall. They work great, and there's no need to turn the lights on in these areas to see where you're walking or if you need to get something quickly.
I love my clothesline. I use it every chance I get. My daughter now has one and uses hers often as well. And i am the dishwasher in my home. Routine maintenance is a must on your units.
I use drying racks especially in winter when we got wood stove going as adds humidity to air which makes house feel warmer. Also heat dries out your wood furniture so drying racks add moisture to air
Great ideas thanks for the tips. I grew up with when you leave a room turn off the lights and close the door.. I've modified it some and use a door stop and leave the door open just a little. Another thing that will save $$ is if taking a shower turn the water on and get wet, shut off the water soap up and then turn it on and rinse off. Or take Short showers, like 5 minutes even though a longer one feels better.
I installed a wood boiler to heat 1700 square feet in SD. Literally saved me $200-400 a month in electric heat. I have the receipts to prove it. Sure it cost me a lot of time cutting and splitting wood, but that's my version of going to the gym I guess. Besides that it's almost therapeutic.
I do alot of the things that you suggested handwashing,clothesline,paper plates etc. And it does help maybe some people haven,t thought of so kudos for sharing
I've always been thrifty my heat went up because summit took over. I only used 55 dollars and I keep my house at 60. 40 dollars in taxes and handling charges this last month. I'm paying for charges that have nothing to do with my heat bill. I don't use a dishwasher and only do one load of laundry a month. Thank you for your video. But I'm doing everything I did before and my bill increased by 45 dollars.
Frig and freezer...it is more economical to operate if they are full. Fill in empty space with containers of water.
When I built my house, I had extra HVAC ceiling vents placed above ceiling fans. They do not usually place vents above ceiling fans, but wow...it disperses the air like crazy!
Great Video! I totally agree about turning lights off and I'm a firm believer that when you leave a room turn the light off. We also run ceiling fans year round and they do make a difference.
I grew up in a home without a dishwasher. When I got older and bought my own home it came with a dishwasher, about 20 years ago now. It's never been used, I was always told you mess it up you wash it and we did. So my my kids were taught the same thing.
A clothesline is one thing I have been wanting. My mother wanted and used all the modern conveniences. So much so when the dishwasher broke my sister and I thought it was a treat to wash dishes. That was in the early 70s. My mom never taught us to cook either. I learned some after I was 18 and had my own apartment. I am not a big cook even to this day. It is so great you are teaching your children about life and work. God Bless you and your family.
Do everything except the cold shower! Plan on putting up a clothes line. Have given up the nightly huge tub soak…once a week now😊you forgot about lowering the water temp on water heater.❤
I now have mold in my bedroom, following *tip's*.Make sure you have good air flow round your window's, it's going to cost a lot more to fix mold than putting the heating on, if you live in a constant high humidity area.Meh lesson learned.
Rechargable/battery light's.
Hot water bottles.
My laptop provides light in my room, I can put the brightness up if needed.
Have a sink bath, wash cloth & soap.Not everyone needs a shower daily.
Not everyone needs to wash their hair daily.It can be air dried if you have time.
When the clothes have washed, re-spin cut's down on drying time.
A smart dryer calculates drying time.
A thermos for hot drinks, you can get upto 3L/5L ones called airpot's.
Hang larger item's like blanket's, over door's or the shower rail/banister to dry if your home is warm/dry enough.
Air fryer's are like ovens & grills, way cheaper than putting the oven on.
Everyone has different circumstances/health issues, so remember some tip's may suit you & some could cause a health hazzard.If you need the heat on, put it on.
We run our heater at 65 in winter and still a high bill. Summer AC set at 75 and you guessed it higher than normal bills.
We like to add jugs of water to our freezer when we have space available. Doing this has saved us many times when the power went out, and they're great to keep coolers cold in the summer.
Great tips. We do most of these. Here's another: In the summer, we've started using a dehumidifier. It cuts way down on using the A/C. Fans, too, of course.
Great suggestion! High humidity really makes for misery especially at night trying to sleep!
I purchased a scrubba bag to do my laundry for a year when I rented an apartment with no washer or dryer hookup.
Bigger stuff I still needed to do at the laundromat.
Definitely a product worth checking out.
What is a scrubber bag? never heard of that and how is it use?
@@Troubles0125 I'm with You,,,What is it?
@@Troubles0125 scuba bag... giant mesh bag
Thanks will look into it.
I bought a hand washing machine (has a handlle for turning the clothes and water nside the bin) for off-grid living. So far, I haven't had the chance of using it. But we also dry our laundry on a clothes drying rack. I use the dryer for a few minutes to get rid of the lint (except for socks). Not all of our clothes get ironed, and I've never ironed bed linen.
Our electric company here in NC (Duke Energy) is going to have a meeting about increasing our bills over the next 3 yrs. They claim it’s because they need to upgrade the grids. I feel like we pay enough!
Remember what direction the fan spins does make a huge difference! Lowing the air down during the summer makes it feel cooler as it blows down on you and blowing upward toward the ceiling during the winter to help move that heat that is rising up to the ceiling to be dispersed around the room and pushed back down. Wrap that hot water up!!! If you don’t have insulation then wrap it with old blankets and use ropes to tie them up. Use insulated curtains! During the winter open the curtains and let the sun in but when the sun lives then close them to hold that heat in the home. During the summer you might consider keeping curtains closed when the sun is shining in. Clean that dryer vent after every use if you’re going to use the dryer and make sure you clean the entire vent pipe often too to prevent a fire. Don’t wash clothes in hot water. Clothes do come clean with cold water. I even cut my dryer sheets in half because I’m frugal. But during the summer I hang my clothes out. If the towels are scratchy then toss them in the dryer for 10mins to soften but I put it in the fluff setting with no heat. Saves energy.
Put stoppers under all the doors 🚪 at the bottom. it keeps heat inside and the cold out .. I block bottom of the doors all year long. In the summer when I'm running ac it keeps the cold air in ,and the heat out really works well for me . They sell the door bottom stoppers almost everywhere even Walmart . I just use old towels dose not cost me anything . Ty For great information as always Cory, and God Bless the Mac's 👆💖🙏 . I'm not sure if I'm spelling your name right if not please forgive me Brother keep Looking up stay free 👆🙏
I’ve been using retractable cloths lines for outdoors the last 10 years. Just fluff them in the dryer for 5-10 minutes. Never been a fan of the clothes line look and I love the retractable ones because you don’t notice them at all. I also reuse the gel packs that come with foods or medicine. Just line the bottom of a chest freezer and stack the food on top. My freezers are in the garage and we live in Texas. If we loose power the gel packs will hold the cold. We also reuse Gatorade bottles. We buy 5 gallon water bottles and make our own bottled water. Gatorade bottles are dishwasher safe, I have some that are three years old. Wash the caps by hand. As a result we have bottled water stored everywhere. Family and friends collect them for us. Ultimate recycling project. We also keep all glass bottles and jars. Use them to store spices, beans, rice, any thing dry. Wine bottles for homemade wine or vinegars. If they don’t have screw on lids order corks from Amazon. The k-cups make great seed starter containers. Been wanting to share some of this for a while and today seemed like a good day. God bless you all.
Great tips👍 thank you..
I discovered an unused k cup also works as a good bathtub stopper..
I’m 100% on solar for the 3 yrs. I love it. No increase, YET! They already want well owners to self report water usage. What’s next self report on solar absorption? And I’m planning to have stove heat next winter to be 90% free of pay$$ fuels. 1-fork/spoon/cup/plate rule. And I use a chilled mug instead of ice. Use/Wash/refreeze
For 33 years our only heat has been wood. We moved the wood stove upstairs where we live and now use less wood to stay warmer (no forced air with my allergies). Our entire house has been LED lighting for at least 15 years. It has saved us at least $20 per month. The cost has been more than recovered for the LEDs. I prefer clothes that are dried outside (my grandmother's influence). We also have an on demand propane water heater and gas stove. Our electric is less than $100 a month (mostly water pump and dryer for those nasty days you can't dry outside) We have, years ago, dried clothes inside near the wood stove on temporary clothes lines. BTW we are in the nw portion of the Michigan mitt.
67 all winter, 75 all summer (utilize fans, in very room), hate using dish washer, would rather have pull out drawers than a dishwasher, have had a clothesline for 3 years, and haven’t used my dryer, maybe 10 times in the last 3 years. Have a gas fireplace, that we only use when we’re sitting in that room. Have lots of throws to utilize in other rooms. Have our system checked/serviced in fall and winter, and change our filters regularly. Haven’t done the cold water yet, lol, and we don’t bathe, just shower. We are meticulous about lights, and they’re not on unless we’re in that room. Thanks for all you do!! ❤️
Love ALL of these tips! My husband loves to crank the heat...ugh. However hanging up clothes on a clothesline only works maybe three months out of the year...maybe four ... Alaska 😀
Great info
Think seasonal! Seasonal clothing, seasonal bedding, and seasonal food sources.
Amen.,❤
I had windows installed that open on the top and bottom that way in the summer I can open the windows from top and bottom and the hot goes out on top and the cool at night comes in. I need no air conditioning here in eastern Washington. I also in the winter about turn the heat up to about 80 before I go to sleep and turn the furnace off till about 6 am. Switch to propane heater during the day and put warm cloths on.The other thing I do is during the day I cook and bake and preserve to keep 3 rooms warm the kitchen, bath and living room. Every other area of the house is closed off. This has saved me 50% or more on my Electric bill.
My issue isn’t what I’m using but the cost to have it come to my house in the first place. It cost more to get it here in a month than what I use on gas and electricity (uk) and it’s only going to go up in 10weeks it’s crazy.
I’m already doing all on your list except the showers but they would cause me seizures as have tried in the past if I go into shock. But I’ve cut the shower 1 a week instead of 3 and I’m having a wash in the sink instead.
Hoping that will help with the bills but we will see.
If there’s anything else you think of please share as I can’t think of stuff.
I didn't read every post, but here goes "bubble wrap for the windows". One 12 in. x 150 ft. roll for under $20.00. Cut pieces to fit each window and mark to reuse each year. Use a small spray bottle to put a slight mist on the glass and press on to the glass. It normally stays up all season, insulates from the cold, reusable, allows light in, makes it hard for those outside to see in. We've used the same pieces for three years now and with the use of many of the suggestions listed in the comments, have noticed a difference in our electric bill. Stay warm.
Wow thank you!👍
thats what i do, I use 3 layers taped together to form panels that i tape on the windows and patio doors. it gets -40c where i live! I leave a 1 inch lateral gap on each window so i can see outside, same on the patio doors. it works well. I stuff think dish towels, trimmed to fit in between the sliding windows to seal drafts; put thick towels at the base of every window and the patio doors. works very well.
One tip to add... when its cold keep feet covered with warm socks! Also extra layers on the core of your body makes a huge difference. For example, wear an insulated vest and you may not need something long sleeved which makes you feel less restricted.
Our electric bill was higher this month than even in the summer ~ and ~ we heat with natural gas!! 🤷🏻♀️
Be careful shutting off too many vents!! We learned that when we had vents in the floor and my grandson shut about 4 of them. It burned up something in our central unit.
I was told the same thing about closing to many vents will hurt your furnace.
I just heard this too
I love to keep it cool in winter and throw a blanket on me. 👍
Hi yall! Make sure to get your oil furnaces cleaned each year, actually cleaned. Many companies come out and replace the nozzle and filter each year but don't actually clean your furnace and chimney crock. This makes your oil furnace less efficient and you use more oil. It's worth it for sure!
I agree to mist of what you said but turning heat down at nite doesn't do any good cause when you turn it back up in morning it just runs that much longer to heat house back up
Not in the South. Your heat doesn't work as hard if you use it during the warmest time of day. I'm retired so I sleep late. I might run the heat to take it from 58 to 63 and it gets the temp up in about 20 minutes.
I went from using central air to a small window unit. I put a fan in front of it to pull the cool air through to where I want it. I closed off the back rooms I don't use. My bill in summer is usually about $70. I try to run it in off hours. I also use a small fan in my bedroom. In nicer weather, I hang clothes out to dry. I use LED bulbs and I turn off all lights in the daytime and unplug appliances not in use. If you have an attic fan, this helps a lot. I stay outside most of the day when it's nice working in my yard and garden. Power rates are lower at night and on weekends so if I have to run the dryer, I run it after peak hours. Also, I don't cook a lot when it's hot. I eat salads, sandwiches, grill out or use the microwave instead.
MS Girl here,,,, I was wondering when the power here would go Higher & I got my answer in the form of my power bill today,,,, OVER DOUBLE COST 😳😳
Same in Georgia. Terrible.
I put in two faux white birch trees with the white xmas lights in the bedroom, instead of lamps. It's on a timer for 5-6 hrs at a time, then shuts itself off at my bedtime. Doesn't seem to use any electricity! Love your videos! I always say keep a bulk pack of the tealights, and a small wood burning stove, just in case you lose power. I have the tea lights even in the bathroom. You'll be good in a storm!
Yes the days of chores need a come back. I always had chores my children had chores. Today's children think it is below them to do such things. It comes down to a decision. Example my children age 7 and 8 received a potato peeler in their Easter baskets. If they wanted home made fries or mashed potatoes they had to peel them. With myself and husband in the service had standards. You clean your room you set and clear the table. Our son refused to tuck in his shirts, no problem i sewed lace on the bottom of every shirt. Enough said. Children should be included in chores. This builds caricature. I also hung clothes on the line or on bad days every cabnet door it was on the curtain hangers. Military had to iron every day anyway.
I agree with you nothing wrong with getting our children ready for the battle when they are on there own. I had chores every day so did my sister and my 2 brothers I am so glad it made me a stronger person..God Bless my parents
The only way to learn how to take care of and run a household is by doing chores. Sadly home-ec is no longer offered in most schools, nor are financial classes so these must be taught by parents or they'll never thrive.
Open your windows in the summer. With the breeze, you will be cool. I live in the New Mexico desert and only turned my AC on twice last year for about 4 hours each time. And the temp. gets over 100 for long periods of time here. Install a couple of ceiling fans, They do a great job and in the winter, you can reverse the blades and help with heating. Hanging your clothes on the line also extents the life of your clothes. What do you think the lint in the dryer is. It is fabric that the dryer has pulled off. I never have hat in my bedroom. There is a new invention called blankets. They are made to keep you warm. You can also turn your hot water heater down. If you need to add any cold water in your shower, then the water is set too hot. There are some very inexpensive solar lights you can use at night if you need lighting. One is the Lucy which comes fully charged and can be found at Walmart or Amazon. Amazon also sells solar light bulbs, each with its own solar panel. there are a lot of things we can do to help defeat the power companies if we want to.
After we shower and do dishes I shut the hot water tank off until the next morning. If I use small appliances(toaster, microwave etc…..) I unplug them after. I have an Amish clothes drying rack for winter ( next to my woodstove) and a clothesline in the summer.
The heating man comes out once a year to check the furnace he taught me to buy cheap filters and change them once a month especially if you have pets.
would it not cost you more when you shut of your tank, since it has to all heat up again the next day?
I first want to tell you I love you channel. I do all the things you talk about , except the cold shower. But I have heard how good it is for you. Thanks for your videos. And may you and yours be safe.
Heavy drapes instead of cute curtains!
Unplug things you are not using everyday. Appliances pull power so they can be at the ready for when you turn them on. This can save 5% on your bill. May not seem like much but every little bit counts.
The TV is the worse I also unplug my washer dryer when done...There is nothing plugged in in my house except my refrigator and stove.... It helped me...
We only use heat in the rooms we use! Blankets, sweatshirts and leggings when we watch tv. Bedtime is cuddle time! Blankets and body heat (including dog heat, lol!)