Do you turn them off or leave it on at all times?

Nice to see you back here Eternity. :wave:

eternity said:
At least, I have a central air so I don't need the AC unit one or 2. it's stupid looking to put them. They're too heavy anyway.
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I basically turned off HDTV, computer, lamps except microwave, printer (on sleeping mode), refrigator, bed alarm clock.

For AC, it keeps running because weather is hot and humid. If weather is not that hot, I turn AC off.

When I am out on vacation, I tend to unplug the applicances except microwave and refrigator.
 
I use Utilitech Digital 8-Outlet Power Strip Timer (pix shown below) at for 3 area, I plugged one to the entertainment systems, one to all the computers, switches and one for our master bedroom TV, cable box and DVD player.

I programmed all 3 to turn off at midnight then turn back on next day 3 PM, Monday through Friday, but on Saturday and Sunday, it turned off at midnight and turn back on 7 AM next day.

Since no one will be home during work week so why leaving it on? You know. I also brought Cruisinart grind and brew coffee maker (pix shown below). This coffee maker will brew hot into 12 cups thermal and then shut down. Many 12 cups glass carafe require burner to keep it hot for 2 hours. Burner take up electricity so using Cruisinart just brew it and then shut everything down. Thermal jug stay hot inside.

It does save the utility bills.
 

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I just turn everything off, I unplug the toaster all the time. I keep all lights off when not in use especially at night watching tv or on computer... now the rest of this crazy household has to have every light on even when the sun is out, you cant even tell its on and they complain they cant see....****ing idiots, cant live with them, cant live without them...well if I get divorced I can live without them....lol
 
Just got back from vacation that last a week.

seriously, I turned off (Well almost) my central AC, then turned back on when back home. The next day, I read my electric bill and did average calculation, and I saw zero difference! It appears that the electric usage remains about the same!

I have no idea how much impact did it on Natural gas. Didn't bother checking them out because it still cheap to me.

It proves me that it does not pay to molest the thermostat at all.
 
Sorta of yeah, but let me find the link for her so she can understand my joke.

Tousi said:
No you didn't miss much. What he's basically saying is that you should come here more often.

So........Hiya! Been a while......
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diehardbiker said:
Just got back from vacation that last a week.

seriously, I turned off (Well almost) my central AC, then turned back on when back home. The next day, I read my electric bill and did average calculation, and I saw zero difference! It appears that the electric usage remains about the same!

I have no idea how much impact did it on Natural gas. Didn't bother checking them out because it still cheap to me.

It proves me that it does not pay to molest the thermostat at all.
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Talking about turning off the AC, If I turned off the AC, in a few days with hot weather, my house will turned into public shower facility.
 
I don't unplug electronics unless we are on a vacation for a while. I leave my computer on all the time, turn off lights during day time, lights off when no one is using that room and all that basic things. Kids make it harder to save energy at times.

A/C uses the MOST energy, makes a huge bump in the electric bill for sure.
 
Im saying that there is no difference with cost when leaving thermostat (For AC/Heating) comparing to turn it off for even 6 days. I was out on vacation for 6 days, that is when I cranked up thermostat to the point where AC won't run as much. I did the reading as soon as I got back and saw almost no difference. Mind you, if it does save me money, I would already have seen the difference but not this time. I even unplugged everything including computer, TV, etc. Except fridge.

SneakerNet said:
Talking about turning off the AC, If I turned off the AC, in a few days with hot weather, my house will turned into public shower facility.
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diehardbiker said:
Im saying that there is no difference with cost when leaving thermostat (For AC/Heating) comparing to turn it off for even 6 days. I was out on vacation for 6 days, that is when I cranked up thermostat to the point where AC won't run as much. I did the reading as soon as I got back and saw almost no difference. Mind you, if it does save me money, I would already have seen the difference but not this time. I even unplugged everything including computer, TV, etc. Except fridge.
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Yeah, I understand what you are saying. Just basically that I couldn't turn it off at all, but bringing the temp up to 80 when we are out for vacation. Of course it wouldn't be much differences when turning off for few days then turn it back on, the AC will keep on cranking to meet the desire temp, it's equivalence to keep it running for 3 days.
 
Yeah thats what I mean by almost turned it off.

SneakerNet said:
Yeah, I understand what you are saying. Just basically that I couldn't turn it off at all, but bringing the temp up to 80 when we are out for vacation. Of course it wouldn't be much differences when turning off for few days then turn it back on, the AC will keep on cranking to meet the desire temp, it's equivalence to keep it running for 3 days.
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Any power with chip as power supply, laptop, recharger mobile, DVR, PS3, etc are vampire power drains and should unplug if you wish.

Lamp and fan with old school switch power then don't need to unplug.
 
diehardbiker said:
I left most electronic equipment on 24/7 and my average usage is about 650KWH a month, that is without AC. Twice during AC months. All my TV is LED. Gotta to love it. Every time I replace CFL with LED, the KWH did noticeable decreased. It appears that LED lights does make difference. There are much more left to replace, and I'm waiting for these specialty LED bulbs to go down before I can buy it.

Yes, I have three computer running 24/7, and it does not cost me much.

There was few summer months during first three years of Central AC operation, they were running 24/7. I called the HVAC company who installed my AC. They kept saying it is normal. I don't believe it was. My house was ok, I cant tell the difference because it was my first year owning house. For first three years, every spring, my AC went dead. Called them, and they refill freon. same issue then next spring same thing and third they found the leak, can't fix, so had to replace one unit. It wasn't working ok until I decided call another company, they found the source of problem and fixed. And told me the furnace was not set properly so fixed that. Finally never see triple KWH since then. Pissed me off yes, but what can I do? All I could do is never contact the first contractor and spread word about that contractor. :mad2: Now I can tell difference, my house is much much comfortable during summer time after that second contractor fixed the problem for the first time and never had problem other than burnt out capacitor. I let them replace it. I could replace capacitor myself, but the chance of it fry the compressor isn't worth it. Cheap insurance let them do it. My AC system is using the illegal freon as of three years ago. Meaning, if they are broken, and had to replace whole thing, then must use newer freon.

First year with wood stove, I use furnace fan, and did 24/7 man! the electricity bill increased by 40% So, I decided add another thermostat (Set cool always, just to kick the furnace fan but not AC) downstairs where woodstove is on the second year, and decided to move cold air return from first floor to basement (It looks pretty much like first floor instead of basement) where the woodstove is. MAN! after tweaking and let the furnace fan operation automatically when that woodstove room reach 90 degrees. The whole house toasty warm, and electric bill dropped back to as if furnace fan isn't being used.
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It's calls freon R-12 which it's illegal due damage the ozone. Freon r-134a are most common for auto/diesel vehicles (1994 or newer I think, Smogtech would know) and house a/c unit
 
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