Since a few years we are replacing all bulbs with CFLs and lately with LEDs. Currently remains only 2 bulbs on 2 desk lamps with very specific plugs. When my 50w bulb died, I replaced it with a narrower 40w.
From my spreadsheet, the biggest hits are :
. the 2x100w in the sitting room replaced by 1x20w+1x21w
. the 4x50w (spots) in the kitchen replaced by 4x9w (LED)
. the 1x75w in the corridor replaced by 1x15w
. the 2x40w + 1x30w (spots) in the bathroom replaced by 3x1.4 (LED)
For the lighting we are saving nearly 80% :-)
I bought a watt-meter and measured the consumption of a lot of devices. This is a must because not only you know where you are, but you can rapidly see which next step will pay more. The fridge has been the first step and it saves 75%. The next one is the washing machine.
For the computers, the one under windows sleeps after 30min idling. For the 3 under linux, I'm using
powertop and following contents of the
powertop's tips and
powertop's faq. For all I always switch off the screen when I leave the computer. I don't know how much I'm saving with that, but I know I'm saving heat : processor's heat has diminished about 30%.
Next very big step, we are installing at the end of summer 3kWc of solar panels. As this is very expensive for us, we are selling all the produced electricity and the nearest houses will use it.
OK, we are not saving on bills, but we are producing electricity without any CO2 or nuclear waste (in France 75% of electricity is from nuclear plants :-(
When the selling contract will end in 20 years the panels will be paid (in fact they will be paid in 10 years ;-) and we'll be able to use the produced electricity.
Finally about the water, we installed flow reduction systems on main taps and in the shower : 50% saved for these.
Current step : I just bought a 2 years old laptop which is a little bit faster than my 6 years old main computer and it will pay for itself in 3 years. I have to make the swap...
Mid-term steps : car change in one/two years, and water solar heater one/two years after.
Current study : about a little wind turbine to produce the minimal amount of our electric consumption, but as there isn't enough wind here this may not pay for itself :-(
Denis.