Comments on: Top 10 Things We Did To Cut Our Electricity Bill in Half http://fivepercent.us/2008/12/21/top-10-things-we-did-to-cut-our-electricity-bill-in-half/ If you cannot change the world by yourself, start by making a small change ... just 5% less is easy, and here's how. Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:27:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Tom Harrison http://fivepercent.us/2008/12/21/top-10-things-we-did-to-cut-our-electricity-bill-in-half/comment-page-1/#comment-62619 Tom Harrison Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:47:41 +0000 http://fivepercent.us/?p=609#comment-62619 @Michael -- these light bulbs, WalMart's in particular, are exactly what I advise against. First 60W equivalent is a dim bulb compared to what most people are used to. Second, these are low quality bulbs, in general; these are bulbs that WalMart gets and puts under a store brand; they do not meet any set specification for quality, start-up time, etc. And frankly, it's not a great price! We all have such a funny response to prices. A high quality CFL such as the ones I recommend actually do last for 5 years; most low quality ones have a fault of some sort and are fragile due to poor design and assembly. So instead of paying $4.00/bulb of the right wattage, we cheap out and save $3.00 on one that will likely break much sooner, and perform badly. Yet, when faced with large purchases we spend much more without batting an eye. Buy GE (and now <a href="http://www.energycircle.com/shop/lighting/cfl-s" rel="nofollow">Philips and Earthmate CFLs</a> have made my list) -- they are much, much, much better. @Michael — these light bulbs, WalMart’s in particular, are exactly what I advise against. First 60W equivalent is a dim bulb compared to what most people are used to. Second, these are low quality bulbs, in general; these are bulbs that WalMart gets and puts under a store brand; they do not meet any set specification for quality, start-up time, etc. And frankly, it’s not a great price!

We all have such a funny response to prices. A high quality CFL such as the ones I recommend actually do last for 5 years; most low quality ones have a fault of some sort and are fragile due to poor design and assembly. So instead of paying $4.00/bulb of the right wattage, we cheap out and save $3.00 on one that will likely break much sooner, and perform badly. Yet, when faced with large purchases we spend much more without batting an eye.

Buy GE (and now Philips and Earthmate CFLs have made my list) — they are much, much, much better.

]]> By: michael http://fivepercent.us/2008/12/21/top-10-things-we-did-to-cut-our-electricity-bill-in-half/comment-page-1/#comment-62616 michael Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:21:25 +0000 http://fivepercent.us/?p=609#comment-62616 speaking of light bulbs wall mart had a pack of 3 for 5 buck the are 9 watt usage and are 60watt brightness speaking of light bulbs wall mart had a pack of 3 for 5 buck the are 9 watt usage and are 60watt brightness

]]> By: Electricity Data: The Devil is in the Details | What's on? http://fivepercent.us/2008/12/21/top-10-things-we-did-to-cut-our-electricity-bill-in-half/comment-page-1/#comment-62083 Electricity Data: The Devil is in the Details | What's on? Tue, 26 May 2009 17:56:00 +0000 http://fivepercent.us/?p=609#comment-62083 [...] data are from monthly bills based on meter readings, provided by my electric utility, free, as part of their service. The bills include the meter-read [...] [...] data are from monthly bills based on meter readings, provided by my electric utility, free, as part of their service. The bills include the meter-read [...]

]]> By: It’s not easy being green | Song for Jasmine http://fivepercent.us/2008/12/21/top-10-things-we-did-to-cut-our-electricity-bill-in-half/comment-page-1/#comment-61452 It’s not easy being green | Song for Jasmine Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:19:46 +0000 http://fivepercent.us/?p=609#comment-61452 [...] which illustrates the effectiveness of this approach. He has reduced his electricity use by 50% in 4 years, and his use of water by a similar fraction. One post refers to measuring power consumption [...] [...] which illustrates the effectiveness of this approach. He has reduced his electricity use by 50% in 4 years, and his use of water by a similar fraction. One post refers to measuring power consumption [...]

]]> By: Obama: The Simple Logic of Efficiency (NOT BORING!) | Five Percent: Conserve a Little Energy http://fivepercent.us/2008/12/21/top-10-things-we-did-to-cut-our-electricity-bill-in-half/comment-page-1/#comment-61328 Obama: The Simple Logic of Efficiency (NOT BORING!) | Five Percent: Conserve a Little Energy Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:34:43 +0000 http://fivepercent.us/?p=609#comment-61328 [...] as I have reported, this is only only one such self-made tax cuts we have gained real and lasting financial benefit [...] [...] as I have reported, this is only only one such self-made tax cuts we have gained real and lasting financial benefit [...]

]]> By: Tony http://fivepercent.us/2008/12/21/top-10-things-we-did-to-cut-our-electricity-bill-in-half/comment-page-1/#comment-61266 Tony Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:58:07 +0000 http://fivepercent.us/?p=609#comment-61266 That is a truly impressive saving! I don't know if such 'smart strips' are available here in Europe, I haven't found anything, in fact this is the first I've heard about them. We use switched extension-leads everywhere around our home and can get much the same saving if we remember to turn things off, but these strips would be ideal for people who won't always remember to do that. That is a truly impressive saving!

I don’t know if such ‘smart strips’ are available here in Europe, I haven’t found anything, in fact this is the first I’ve heard about them. We use switched extension-leads everywhere around our home and can get much the same saving if we remember to turn things off, but these strips would be ideal for people who won’t always remember to do that.

]]> By: Debra http://fivepercent.us/2008/12/21/top-10-things-we-did-to-cut-our-electricity-bill-in-half/comment-page-1/#comment-61240 Debra Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:45:26 +0000 http://fivepercent.us/?p=609#comment-61240 I really like all of your ways to reduce your electric bill - but my favorite is No.10! Turning off unnecessary lights inside and out will not only save you money but it will help the environment and your health. I really like all of your ways to reduce your electric bill – but my favorite is No.10! Turning off unnecessary lights inside and out will not only save you money but it will help the environment and your health.

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