Omelet wrote:
>
> In article >,
> sf > wrote:
>
> > Got the PG&E bill today. Electric was $104 and Gas was under $3.
> > Huh, not even $3? The water heater and gas stove are used daily. We
> > did have a little heat wave, but the furnace was used. I need to call
> > them to see if they made a billing mistake, because I will *not*
> > appreciate it if they tack what they should have charged onto my next
> > bill.
> >
> > I figure at least a third of that electricity was used by the kitchen
> > lights. What I really want to know is this: how do you keep the light
> > factor high and your electric bill low for kitchen use? I'm thinking
> > I won't use the "pot" lights as much and just use under counter
> > lighting to see if I can lower that charge next month.
> >
> > Unfortunately, I think the biggest electric hog is the TV and that's
> > not getting turned off any more than it is already.
>
> All 100% fluorescent bulbs, and a hidden thermostat so the house temp
> stays stable! Have to heat a cold house, or cool a hot house gets to be
> rather costly.
>
> I think flat screen TV's burn less power? Might be worth the
> investment....

That's the perception, but not the reality. Looking at the ratings on
them can be deceiving since the rating is max and CRT TVs have a
starting surge that accounts for the max, but a much lower running
power, while LCD/LED TVs draw near full power all the time they're on.

>
> I no longer run ANY incandescent bulbs unless I'm trying to keep an
> animal warm with a spot lamp, and it's been ages since we did any
> rehabbing.

I only have a few incandescents in rarely used locations.