When trying to be very cost effective, which is better?

Question

I'm moving into an apartment, and I am responsible for utilities. So when using the following amenities, which is it more cost effective to do?:

Dishes:

Using a dishwasher or doing them by hand?

Lights:

Better to use many small lights around the house or the big ceiling lights in each room?

Answer 1

I wash by hand because unless you have a full load you will use more water as well as using electricity.

I also use lamps so I only have light in the area of the room I need it. I also use CFL ( compact fluorescent lights ) of only 17 to 30 watts in all lights

Answer 2

It is considered more earth freindly to use the dishwasher, but if you are more concerned about saving money hand washing could be more cost effective. When using any applicance do so only when you have a full load. If you use the dishwasher, don't use more water rinsing than necessary.

It depends on the bulbs and them number of bulbs in the fixture. A CFL uses about 1/4 the amount of energy than a regular bulb. No matter which style bulb you use, get the right one for the job, you probably don't need 100watt to watch tv, but a 40 watt may not be enough to do detailed work by. So, if you have an overhead light that has 2 100 watt incandescent bulbs you will use the same amount of electricity if you have 16 50 watt CFL's.

Answer 3

doing dishes by hand

go with small lamps around the house and reading lamps were you need directed light