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Saving Money the Smart Way
‘Mindset of conservation’ reduces electricity, adds to wallet
An automatic timer for a swimming pool pump can translate into savings.Rex Christensen of Clarksville saved $404 in the first eight months of 2007 just by implementing a few simple changes. His average monthly bill went from $135 to
$92 – a savings of about 30 percent.
Christensen believes that a little awareness can go a long way toward reducing our electric bills – and the size of our collective “carbon footprint.”
But concern for the environment wasn’t his initial motivation. Like most people, Christensen simply wanted to keep his expenses down.
In the fall of 2006, he did a little research to determine changes that he, as a homeowner, could make to reduce his electric usage.
“One of the first changes I made in my energy-savings campaign was to purchase and install compact fluorescent light bulbs,” he says.
Then, month-by-month, he compared his bills to those of the last four years. The immediate difference made him want to save more.
In the spring, he installed window treatments for the west-facing, arched windows in his home.
“This simple and inexpensive change made a dramatic difference in the comfort level of several rooms in my home,” Christensen says.
A little more research led him to his biggest money-saver yet – an automatic timer for his swimming-pool pump. He spent $73 on a high-quality timer that reduces pump run-time from 24 to 12 hours daily.
“The savings realized from this single change offset the cost of the timer in just 43 days,” he says.
“If you can automate these things, it’s really worth it. If you’re already in bed and suddenly remember, ‘Oh, I left the pool pump on,’ you’re just going to leave it on all night. A timer will take care of it for you.”
Christensen’s No. 1 tip?
“Adopt a mindset of conservation,” he advises.
For example, adjust your thermostat by just two degrees, turn off ceiling fans and lights when you leave a room and don’t leave outdoor floodlights on during daylight hours.
“You could say that I’m doing this for the money,” Christensen says, “but if everyone reduced their usage by 15 percent, not only would they save money, but it would also make a huge difference in periods of peak demand – and it would reduce the size of our carbon footprint.”
Story by Carol Cowan
Editor’s note: In fall 2007, TN Connections asked our readers to share their own tips for saving electricity. Many of you responded, and Rex Christensen of Clarksville is our Bright Ideas contest winner! For offering some practical tips, tracking his own savings over time and sharing his experience with us, Christensen received a full-color Images of Tennessee photo book.
Other readers’ tips will be highlighted in upcoming issues, and we’d love to hear more of your bright ideas. E-mail your tips and tales of conservation to tnceditor@jnlcom.com.
