I forgot to add some variables. I’m currently living in Mississippi, one of the hottest & wettest states. I have asthma and multiple allergies and, as a chronic pain patient, it’s not a good idea for me to let the place get too far outside my preferred parameters, if it will take too long to get it back to comfortable.
Some advantages: The apartment building I live in is brick (but was built about 40 years ago, so insulation is nonexistent); still, brick is a great help, and windows are flush with the exterior. It has horizontal slat venetian blinds, which I keep mostly to completely closed (slats rounded sides out). In the living room, which has a triple window, I have white curtains over the blinds, and heavy dark drapes (with white lining) behind those. I only have one layer at the other (3) windows, but the bedroom windows have heavy drape-like curtaining, fitted very close. At the kitchen window, I have four white curtain panels (2x normal).
I started with fluorescent bulbs in 1994, and use them in all sockets in which they can be used, and use the other lamps sparingly to almost never. I also have the advantage (for both heating and cooling) of living on the first floor. Wall with bedrooms is on the east side, but sun, etc., exposure on that side is mitigated a bit by nearby trees. Living room & kitchen face west, but a building projection obstructs sun on the kitchen window until at least 2 pm in summer, and on the LR windows until an hour or so later. My apartment is at one end, but it is not exposed, as the building is L-shaped - there’s only a narrow walkway between my end and the next section.
The only energy gobbler in the apt is my computer, but it’s probably on for 6-9 hours per day. I have a CRT monitor that I do turn off as I get up when I leave the computer and it’s on, with Energy Star mode set to turn it off in 10 minutes (less is a pain, if I’m watching a video). I have a TV, but it’s been unplugged for years. Music is on the computer.
I’ve tried to do everything I can within reason to reduce my energy consumption. These apartments are all-electric (first I’ve ever lived in), which freaked me in the beginning, but I think I’ve adapted.