What steps have you taken to reduce your electric bill?

We asked Times readers: What steps, if any, have you taken to reduce your electric bill? Here are some answers we got. Add yours as a comment

A year ago I installed the new fluorescent light bulbs everywhere. I also shut down my two computers each night. The thermostat is set at 78 degrees in the daytime and 81 degrees overnight.
Mike Rosenthal,

Clearwater

My AC unit was not cooling well, so I had the compressor replaced, which reduced my electric bill by about $40 a month.
Adrian Nenu,

St. Petersburg

I close the drapes and shutters on the large west windows of the condo. I totally turn off my large screen TV when retiring at night as it has an internal fan that runs 24-7.
Robert Lartz, Seminole

I have replaced all my light bulbs with the new ones. I do my laundry when I have a full load for my washer and dryer.
Rose Marie Plante,

Clearwater

I turn my thermostat up to 85 degrees when I go to work. When I get home, I bring it down to 78 degrees and I put it back up to 80 degrees overnight while I sleep. I use a ceiling fan in every room.
Elaine Somoza,

Clearwater

My cat and I live in a house that's less than 700 square feet. A small house means you'll have less space to heat or cool, which means you'll have a lower electric bill.
Kimberly Cooper,

St. Petersburg

I put my water heater on a timer. It comes on once a day for two hours. I replaced my windows with energy efficient models. I swapped my thermostat with a programmable digital model.
Stefan Sommers,

St. Petersburg

We turn off computer printers and unplug cell phone chargers when they are not in use. We turn off lights when we leave a room.
Steve Weiss,

Tampa

Use less hot water by using the dishwasher once a week.
Helen McKay,

Pinellas Park

Put power strips on all the major vampire electric stealers and turn off and turn off the switch so there is not a constant power draw. We installed compact fluorescents in all light fixtures.
Kevin and Susan Horan, New Port Richey

My cat and I live in a house that's less than 700 square feet. A small house means you'll have less space to heat or cool, which means you'll have a lower electric bill.
Kimberly Cooper,

St. Petersburg

I put my water heater on a timer. It comes on once a day for two hours. I replaced my windows with energy efficient models. I swapped my thermostat with a programmable digital model.
Stefan Sommers,

St. Petersburg

We turn off computer printers and unplug cell phone chargers when they are not in use. We turn off lights when we leave a room.
Steve Weiss,

Tampa

Use less hot water by using the dishwasher once a week.
Helen McKay,

Pinellas Park

Put power strips on all the major vampire electric stealers and turn off and turn off the switch so there is not a constant power draw. We installed compact fluorescents in all light fixtures.
Kevin and Susan Horan, New Port Richey

Comments

[Tino]

Several changes have significantly dropped my bill:

- replace non-essential bulbs with CFLs (closets, garage, hallways)
- installed an insulated blanket for the water heater
- programmable thermostat, coordinated with
- a time-of-day meter offered by my local utility in Tampa. It provides a 50% discount on electricity for mornings, nights and weekends.