Is your electricity meter as old as the hills? If you are like the majority of people, your electricity meter is most likely is over half a century old. Sometimes even though the electricity meter is new, the technology that it uses is just as ancient anyway. (more…)
Just like wearing a coat in the winter helps conserve our own bodily heat, many other items also require a covering or coat to help in conservation efforts. You may not always think about these items and they may not always be easy to replace, but covering up can go a long way towards reducing overall total utility cost.
If you have a chimney, make sure there is a damper in the flue. The dampers, which are not all that expensive, will allow you to manage air drafts. These dampers can be kept closed to ensure that air conditioned air won’t be lost up the chimney and cold frigid air won’t be coming into your house when you’re nice and snuggly warm. There are multiple types and manufacturers of dampers, so search around to find that one that meets your specific needs.
People spend months planning a vacation, weeks planning holiday decorations and hours planning an outfit to wear. Why shouldn’t we put as much thought and planning in our energy usage as we do other daily activities? Here are a few items to think about: (more…)
It’s very important to keep appliances and electronics in the best working order possible. This is where maintenance instructions come into play.
Make sure you don’t forget by creating a maintenance calendar. Create a yearly calendar complete with filter changes, oil changes for the car and past maintenance needs. Most filters need changed on a relatively short periodic basis. Some filters need cleaned on a monthly basis and others may last 3-4 months, but in every case, a dirty filter will use more energy and cost you more money in the long run. (more…)
When it comes to washing clothes, the goal is to get your clothes clean. Well – everyone knows that, but if you can also take some detailed steps to reduce your energy usage while still getting your clothes clean. (more…)
One *hot* topic, if you’ll pardon the expression, is how to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Everyone wants to be comfortable in their own home without the need to add or shed layers of clothing. But – there are additional options other than just adjusting the thermostat. (more…)
It seems everyone understands how limited natural resources could get and how our wastefulness can put future generations at risk. This is great news for the cost-conscious energy consumer because this means that resources are available. (more…)
For any home owner, there eventually comes a time when some structural work has to be done. During this re-modeling, no matter how small it could be, take the chance to evaluate ways to reduce energy usage and make some changes to help make your house more efficient in the future. (more…)
One notorious energy burners are light bulbs. Unless you’re Amish, you need to turn lights on for work and family time at least once per day. However, accidentally leaving lights on or using the wrong wattage can significantly increase your energy usage, which then significantly increases your energy costs. Especially in this day and age of concerns over a recession, every little bit helps. Let’s discuss a few of these ideas. (more…)
It’s funny to think that you can save on your electric bills by actually going out and spending money. However, when considering the return on investment over a period of time, sometimes spending money now can provide higher returns in the future. Some of the ways you can accomplish this include:
Replace old appliances! If your appliance is more than 10 years old, chances are that the appliance is nearly as energy efficient as newer appliances are. Some of the worst offenders are refrigerators and washers and dryers. If purchasing a new appliance is going to be a big strain on your budget, check out the sales and clearance specials. With the economy as tight as it is, many shops are heavily discounting larger purchases in order to keep sales flowing through the stores. Keep your eyes open and check out the clearance flyers.
Change light bulbs. These new compact fluorescent bulbs are awesome! There have been numerous studies showing the ROI (return on investment) from replacing older standard light bulbs. They are pricier than the older standard bulbs, but you don’t have to replace all the bulbs at the same time. The next time you purchase light bulbs, replace just one bulb at as time and you will start to see results in your energy bill. If the bulbs are too big to fit in your socket, don’t be discouraged – look for an adapter as well.
Purchase timers. Kids are notorious for forgetting to turn off TV’s, radios, lights and more. Some adults are as well. If you sometimes forget, buy a timer. Set televisions and lights to automatically turn off at bedtime. Another option is to set the time for shortly after everyone leaves the house to go to work or school. Don’t leave any chance that electronics can stay on for any length of time when no one is using it. (more…)