Any way to cut down on ones electric bill?

[Akuma223]

I'll be moving in with my brother soon and was wondering on if anyone's had ideas on how to save on energy costs? I'm planning on getting a rheostat and some timers for my lights and heating pads, will those help save on things? Are there types of heating bulbs or anything that are more energy efficient? I have several aquariums with filters and lights, a turtle set up with a heatlight and filter, and three snakes with heat lights. I'm also building my monitor a new enclosure in the next two weeks and will have a trio of heat lamps for his basking spot, one of which will be either a powersun type bulb or a mercury vapor. Any ideas would be great thanks.

Also, rheostats are used to control under tank heating pads right? Can anyone recommend a brand or model that is inexpensive and possibly has two outlets and controls for two different heating pads? Any suggestions for good light timers for heating lights and aquarium lights? Multiple ports will be necessary although they can have the same 12 hour day/night schedule.

[Jim Smith]

I'm really not sure how much a 15 to 20 watt heating pad and a light uses, but it you really want to cut down on his bill, add insulation to his attic. I'm not trying to be funny here, but if he lives in a standalone house, adding insulation to the attic will dramatically reduce his heating and cooling bills saving way more money than trying to do something with your snakes.

[Akuma223]

That's a pretty good idea actually, we're doing a ton of improvements on the house and that'd be an excellent idea. He has problems with his furnace not accepting new thermostats and his old one is rather ornery, therefore the house gets frightfully cold. Although, I don't understand why in the bloody hell someone wouldn't build insulation into a house? That's a bloody no-brainier and we live in New York!

[toddnbecka]

Insulation in the house depends on when it was built, who built it, and how much $ they had to spend at the time. ack in the day when a lot of the (now) older houses were built insulation wasn't a big concern. Never heard of a furnace not accepting new t-stats, more likely someone doesn't know how to install one properly.
Build yourself a Tesla generator, and supposedly you can cut up to 70% off your electric bill. I got the plans, will be working on it soon to see if it really works.

[chairman]

The Tesla generator thing is a hoax but that's a subject for alternative thread or forum.

Some easy fixes for reptiles include placing animals that require cooler temperatures down near the floor and ones that need warmer temperatures closer to the ceiling. A typical room will have a floor that is 5-10 degrees cooler than the ceiling.

You can also insulate the cages. Purchase foam board insulation and ducting tape (not necessarily duct "duck" tape, it isn't designed for ducting). Cut the board to fit outside your enclosures and tape the edges together.

[Doug 351]

Move out of New York....heat is CHEAP. in Texas....

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by Akuma223

I'll be moving in with my brother soon and was wondering on if anyone's had ideas on how to save on energy costs? I'm planning on getting a rheostat and some timers for my lights and heating pads, will those help save on things? Are there types of heating bulbs or anything that are more energy efficient? I have several aquariums with filters and lights, a turtle set up with a heatlight and filter, and three snakes with heat lights. I'm also building my monitor a new enclosure in the next two weeks and will have a trio of heat lamps for his basking spot, one of which will be either a powersun type bulb or a mercury vapor. Any ideas would be great thanks.

Also, rheostats are used to control under tank heating pads right? Can anyone recommend a brand or model that is inexpensive and possibly has two outlets and controls for two different heating pads? Any suggestions for good light timers for heating lights and aquarium lights? Multiple ports will be necessary although they can have the same 12 hour day/night schedule.

Herpstats aren't cheap BUT they do what you are asking for.

Also, check Amazon. There's an aquarium thermostat that is similar to herpstats. I can't recall what it's called.

[Wingbeats]

I'm actually using this thermostat to keep temps regulated for my rainbow boa.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B...ilpage_o08_s00

It's pretty basic, but it works. It's an on/off thermostat with a waterproof probe and it keeps things within 1-3 degrees of the temperature you set. Higher cost stuff will likely perform better, but it's a good low-cost option.

[Doug 351]

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

I'm really not sure how much a 15 to 20 watt heating pad and a light uses, but it you really want to cut down on his bill, add insulation to his attic. I'm not trying to be funny here, but if he lives in a standalone house, adding insulation to the attic will dramatically reduce his heating and cooling bills saving way more money than trying to do something with your snakes.

Honestly, this is my first thought too....Not necessarily insulating
...but..that trying to reduce the amount of energy required to house reptiles is ridiculously low....I mean seriously!!!!! Buy a TV dinner and forego the trip to McDonald's for lunch....and you pretty much have that covered....IN ONE DAY!!!!

So....yeah....there are a thousand other areas you can reduce electricity ususage than habitat requirements.....it's kinda like looking at the popcorn stand at a stadium...and worrying about the "closed" sign burning all night....while letting the stadium lights burn half the night for no reason.....

Sorry....just can't go there...it's totally ridiculous....

Meanwhile...your TV, computer, microwave, and household lighting are probably individually more power hungry.....How about your fridge?

Sorry....but I calls 'em as I sees 'em....cut out the Quarter Pounders...and leave the critters alone.....

[trailblazer295]

Originally Posted by Akuma223

That's a pretty good idea actually, we're doing a ton of improvements on the house and that'd be an excellent idea. He has problems with his furnace not accepting new thermostats and his old one is rather ornery, therefore the house gets frightfully cold. Although, I don't understand why in the bloody hell someone wouldn't build insulation into a house? That's a bloody no-brainier and we live in New York!

I work as residential HVAC mechanic, unless you're dealing with 30+ year old equipment. 95% of furnaces out there have standard R,W,G and usually Y lol for basic heat, cool and fan controls without any fancy stuff. Is he in a condo? I haven't seen a furnace that didn't have R W and G terminals.

[Akuma223]

Originally Posted by Doug 351

Honestly, this is my first thought too....Not necessarily insulating
...but..that trying to reduce the amount of energy required to house reptiles is ridiculously low....I mean seriously!!!!! Buy a TV dinner and forego the trip to McDonald's for lunch....and you pretty much have that covered....IN ONE DAY!!!!

So....yeah....there are a thousand other areas you can reduce electricity ususage than habitat requirements.....it's kinda like looking at the popcorn stand at a stadium...and worrying about the "closed" sign burning all night....while letting the stadium lights burn half the night for no reason.....

Sorry....just can't go there...it's totally ridiculous....

Meanwhile...your TV, computer, microwave, and household lighting are probably individually more power hungry.....How about your fridge?

Sorry....but I calls 'em as I sees 'em....cut out the Quarter Pounders...and leave the critters alone.....

Um you make a good point but what in the bloody hell does McDonalds have to do with anything? I hardly ever eat out, and I forget to feed myself sometimes entirely.

[Akuma223]

Originally Posted by trailblazer295

I work as residential HVAC mechanic, unless you're dealing with 30+ year old equipment. 95% of furnaces out there have standard R,W,G and usually Y lol for basic heat, cool and fan controls without any fancy stuff. Is he in a condo? I haven't seen a furnace that didn't have R W and G terminals.

I don't know how old the thermostat is, it could very well be that old; maybe built in the 70's or 80's. Apparently my dad and brother tried two different ones and neither worked so I'm assuming they are doing something wrong.
I also overheard them say the brand was "Hunter" perhaps?

It's a regular house btw.

[Akuma223]

Originally Posted by Wingbeats

I'm actually using this thermostat to keep temps regulated for my rainbow boa.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B...ilpage_o08_s00

It's pretty basic, but it works. It's an on/off thermostat with a waterproof probe and it keeps things within 1-3 degrees of the temperature you set. Higher cost stuff will likely perform better, but it's a good low-cost option.

That was the first one I looked at and would probably do just fine. I'd set the temp more on the mid to low end of my roaches or columbian rainbows range to be safe.

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Herpstats aren't cheap BUT they do what you are asking for.

Also, check Amazon. There's an aquarium thermostat that is similar to herpstats. I can't recall what it's called.

I'll look into that, thanks Aaron.

[RAD House]

Originally Posted by chairman

The Tesla generator thing is a hoax but that's a subject for alternative thread or forum.

I would love to see you start this thread.

[Doug 351]

Originally Posted by Akuma223

Um you make a good point but what in the bloody hell does McDonalds have to do with anything? I hardly ever eat out, and I forget to feed myself sometimes entirely.

The point is that people seriously overestimate the cost of running a light bulb or a heat pad for a month....if you cut them out for two months....you can get yourself a happy meal with the savings....get it now?

EDIT: BTW....Me too....but...if your electric meter has a wheel that spins....(I've done this before) ....shut everything off and turn one thing on at a time....then you can see what's really EATING...(LOL) up the energy and FEEDING..(LOL)...that high electricity bill....