Today, escalating prices are draining family budgets. The cost of energy is soaring and everything from heating your home to driving to work is siphoning away your hard earned money. Though there is little that you can do about the rising cost of energy, there are some ways you can save energy, and save money at the same time.
One of the ways to save energy is to cut down on the amount of fuel that you consume. Think fuel efficiency when you purchase a new car. Stay away from the SUVs and consider buying an automobile that uses less fuel.
You can also save energy when doing your laundry, if you wash your clothes in cold water with cold-water detergents, and then hang them outside to dry. Most of the energy used to do laundry is in heating the water and drying the clothes, so with these two steps you will be saving a lot of energy, and money.
Consider changing the way you cook meals. If you use your microwave and crock-pot to cook many of your meals, you will be saving a lot of energy. These appliances use far less energy that your stove and oven.
Of course you may have heard that you can save energy if you turn your air conditioner up in the summer and heat down in the winter. This is a good way to save energy as you can cut your heating and cooling bill by as much as 20 percent. It is also a good idea to keep your shades down in the summer to help keep your house cool, and at night turn off the air conditioner and open the windows.
Turn your water heater down to the lowest setting. In most cases keeping your water heater set low will still provide you with water that is hot enough for what you need, and you will be saving energy too.
Weatherize your home to save energy. Seal your home up with weather stripping and caulk, and of course you will not want to overlook adding more insulation. A home that is weatherized will use far less energy, and will save you money.
There is no way to control the cost of energy, but you do have some control on how much money you spend on energy. All you have to do is take control and save energy.
If you're looking a complete blueprint on saving tons of energy and electricity, check out [http://www.saveenergyproductreports.com/save-energy/should-i-buy-earth-4-energy-facts-review-and-user-feedback/]the only energy-saving guide you'll ever need and other programs from our site that's reviewed all the [http://www.saveenergyproductreports.com/]top energy and gas saving products on the market.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Hawk http://EzineArticles.com/?4-Ways-to-Save-Energy-and-Save-Money&id=1586810
Showing posts with label Home Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home Articles. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
How to Reduce Your Energy Bill - Tricks and Secrets to Cutting Costs in a Big Way
Energy is getting to be very expensive, and a lot of people are feeling the crunch right now. A great place where you can start to save your money is actually at home. Most homes are not very energy efficient.
They waste a lot of energy, and your money.
There are actually hundreds of inexpensive things you could potentially do to reduce the power bill in your house. Depending on the age and state of your house, doing these things can actually reduce your power consumption by more than half and save you a lot of money at the end of the month.
You need to audit your home. Check for things such as:
- holes and leaks- open fireplace dampers- Energystar rated appliances
Then decide where you'd like to spend your time and money. Usually, heating water and the air accounts for the biggest part of the bill (air conditioning in warmer climates). It all depends on your house.
Many things you can do yourself, other things you may need to hire contractors for. These are some things you'll need to deal with:
Insulation and Air leaks
You will need to check for this for sure if your home was built longer than 20 years ago. Many homes built before then are not well insulated at all. Most of the heat in your house escapes through holes in the floors, walls and ceiling and through plumbing penetrations.
Heating and Cooling
Water and air. It takes a lot of energy to maintain the correct temperatures for your home. Make sure you make the most of the energy you are using by insuling the systems properly and using as little as possible. Take short showers instead of baths etc.
Windows
In older houses single-pane windows are common, and a lot of heat can escape through them. Replace any old inefficient windows with new ones that can trap heat. [http://www.renewableenergyathome.com/alternative-power/]Download free eBook - "No-Cost and Low-Cost Energy Saving Tips For Your Home". It is a to-the-point 22 page ebook that you can use as a checklist to make sure you save big money on your next energy bill!
Also, cut your energy bill down to nothing: get expert designs and diagrams to build [http://www.renewableenergyathome.com/alternative-power/]wind power generators into your home. It will cost you much less than you would ever expect (few hundred bucks at the most to make a professional-looking turbine)!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Sullivan http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Reduce-Your-Energy-Bill---Tricks-and-Secrets-to-Cutting-Costs-in-a-Big-Way&id=1546071
They waste a lot of energy, and your money.
There are actually hundreds of inexpensive things you could potentially do to reduce the power bill in your house. Depending on the age and state of your house, doing these things can actually reduce your power consumption by more than half and save you a lot of money at the end of the month.
You need to audit your home. Check for things such as:
- holes and leaks- open fireplace dampers- Energystar rated appliances
Then decide where you'd like to spend your time and money. Usually, heating water and the air accounts for the biggest part of the bill (air conditioning in warmer climates). It all depends on your house.
Many things you can do yourself, other things you may need to hire contractors for. These are some things you'll need to deal with:
Insulation and Air leaks
You will need to check for this for sure if your home was built longer than 20 years ago. Many homes built before then are not well insulated at all. Most of the heat in your house escapes through holes in the floors, walls and ceiling and through plumbing penetrations.
Heating and Cooling
Water and air. It takes a lot of energy to maintain the correct temperatures for your home. Make sure you make the most of the energy you are using by insuling the systems properly and using as little as possible. Take short showers instead of baths etc.
Windows
In older houses single-pane windows are common, and a lot of heat can escape through them. Replace any old inefficient windows with new ones that can trap heat. [http://www.renewableenergyathome.com/alternative-power/]Download free eBook - "No-Cost and Low-Cost Energy Saving Tips For Your Home". It is a to-the-point 22 page ebook that you can use as a checklist to make sure you save big money on your next energy bill!
Also, cut your energy bill down to nothing: get expert designs and diagrams to build [http://www.renewableenergyathome.com/alternative-power/]wind power generators into your home. It will cost you much less than you would ever expect (few hundred bucks at the most to make a professional-looking turbine)!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Sullivan http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Reduce-Your-Energy-Bill---Tricks-and-Secrets-to-Cutting-Costs-in-a-Big-Way&id=1546071
Monday, June 16, 2008
Home Wind Power
In the interest of saving energy and helping the environment, I decided to post this article even though it isn't technically home decorating. Mrs T.
Wind energy is a plentiful, renewable and clean source of power that can be used in a large range of applications from wind farms through to home wind power. In residential applications a wind turbine, which is installed on top of a tall tower, collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity that is compatible with a home's electrical system.
As wind energy is governed by nature as wind speeds increase, turbine output increases and the amount of power purchased from the utility is proportionately decreased. When the turbine produces more power than the house needs, the extra electricity is sold to the utility. All of this is done automatically. There are no batteries in a modern residential wind system.
Small wind generation systems with capacities of 100 kW or less are usually used to power farms, homes, and small businesses. Remote communities that would otherwise rely on diesel generators may use wind turbines to replace diesel fuel consumption. Home owners purchase residential wind generators to reduce or eliminate their electricity bills, or simply to generate their own clean power.
Wind turbines have been used for household electricity generation in conjunction with battery storage over many decades in remote areas as a reliable source or residential wind power. Increasingly, U.S. consumers are choosing to purchase grid-connected turbines in the 1 to 10 kilowatt range to power their whole homes. Residential wind turbines of more than 1 kW are now functioning in several countries, and in every state in the U.S.
In the United States, wind power receives a tax credit for each kilowatt-hour produced; at 1.9 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2006, the credit has a yearly inflationary adjustment. Another tax benefit is accelerated depreciation. Many American states also provide incentives, such as exemption from property tax, mandated purchases, and additional markets for "green credits." Countries such as Canada and Germany also provide incentives for wind turbine construction, such as tax credits or minimum purchase prices for wind generation, with assured grid access (sometimes referred to as feed-in tariffs). These feed-in tariffs are typically set well above average electricity prices.
If you want more information on home wind power please visit our site http://www.residential-wind-power.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barry_Lee
Wind energy is a plentiful, renewable and clean source of power that can be used in a large range of applications from wind farms through to home wind power. In residential applications a wind turbine, which is installed on top of a tall tower, collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity that is compatible with a home's electrical system.
As wind energy is governed by nature as wind speeds increase, turbine output increases and the amount of power purchased from the utility is proportionately decreased. When the turbine produces more power than the house needs, the extra electricity is sold to the utility. All of this is done automatically. There are no batteries in a modern residential wind system.
Small wind generation systems with capacities of 100 kW or less are usually used to power farms, homes, and small businesses. Remote communities that would otherwise rely on diesel generators may use wind turbines to replace diesel fuel consumption. Home owners purchase residential wind generators to reduce or eliminate their electricity bills, or simply to generate their own clean power.
Wind turbines have been used for household electricity generation in conjunction with battery storage over many decades in remote areas as a reliable source or residential wind power. Increasingly, U.S. consumers are choosing to purchase grid-connected turbines in the 1 to 10 kilowatt range to power their whole homes. Residential wind turbines of more than 1 kW are now functioning in several countries, and in every state in the U.S.
In the United States, wind power receives a tax credit for each kilowatt-hour produced; at 1.9 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2006, the credit has a yearly inflationary adjustment. Another tax benefit is accelerated depreciation. Many American states also provide incentives, such as exemption from property tax, mandated purchases, and additional markets for "green credits." Countries such as Canada and Germany also provide incentives for wind turbine construction, such as tax credits or minimum purchase prices for wind generation, with assured grid access (sometimes referred to as feed-in tariffs). These feed-in tariffs are typically set well above average electricity prices.
If you want more information on home wind power please visit our site http://www.residential-wind-power.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barry_Lee
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Six Low Cost Ways to Go Green
With energy prices on the rise and global resources diminishing, more and more people are making efforts to conserve energy, water, and other resources. While some of the ways you can conserve can be expensive, below are some great, low cost ways to reduce your consumption.
1. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs - $3.50/bulb
Compared to traditional incandescent light bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75% less energy, produce 75% less heat, and can last 10 times longer. According to Energy Star, if each household replaced just 1 light bulb in their home, we could save enough energy to power 3 million homes for a year, save more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
2. Use Water-Saving Faucets, Showerheads, and Toilets - Free to $350+
Water-saving faucets, showerheads, and toilets can all help conserve water usage. Many cities now require faucets, toilets, and showerheads to conform to their water usage standards, with some even offer low cost solutions for homeowners. A water-efficient toilet can save between 8,000 to 18,000 gallons of water per year. And a water-saving showerhead alone can save up to 3,000 gallons of water, eliminate 1,000 lbs. in carbon dioxide emissions, and reduce your water bill by $50 per person per year.
3. Change Your Air Filter - $10/filter
Dust and dirt that clog air filters can reduce their effectiveness and make your heating and cooling system work harder. A system with a clogged filter consumes more energy and has a shorter lifespan. Recommendations of how often to change your filter range from one month to three months depending on how often you use your air conditioning and heating system and how fast dust accumulates on the filter.
4. Install a Water Heater Blanket, Lower the Water Temperature - $20
Traditional water heaters keep a large amount of water inside at a certain temperature, usually 140 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to reduce the amount of work required to keep hot water in the system, you can reduce the standard temperature to 130 degrees and install a water heater blanket. A water heater blanket wraps around the water heater to reduce heat loss by 25-40%. Be sure to keep important information regarding maintaining the water heater visible when you install one of these.
5. Programmable Thermostat - $40
Heating and cooling can be as much as half of your energy bills. A programmable thermostat that has multiple time settings can help you reduce your bills by turning off your heater or air conditioner while you're at work and can reduce their usage during sleeping hours. This feature alone will help you reduce your heating and cooling bills by $150 a year.
6. Weather Stripping and Caulking Around Windows and Doors - $20-$50
Some older windows and doors don't have proper weather stripping and some estimate that this can account for 46 percent of annual heat loss. Applying weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors can serve as a cost-effective way to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
While these methods can help you conserve energy at your current home, you may want to put green features into considering when searching for your next home.
Mark Cheng is a San Gabriel Valley, California real estate agent with IRN Realty ( http://www.irnrealty.com ) specializing in Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Temple City, and Arcadia real estate and homes for sale. Find more about him and search for listings at http://www.markcheng.net
1. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs - $3.50/bulb
Compared to traditional incandescent light bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75% less energy, produce 75% less heat, and can last 10 times longer. According to Energy Star, if each household replaced just 1 light bulb in their home, we could save enough energy to power 3 million homes for a year, save more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
2. Use Water-Saving Faucets, Showerheads, and Toilets - Free to $350+
Water-saving faucets, showerheads, and toilets can all help conserve water usage. Many cities now require faucets, toilets, and showerheads to conform to their water usage standards, with some even offer low cost solutions for homeowners. A water-efficient toilet can save between 8,000 to 18,000 gallons of water per year. And a water-saving showerhead alone can save up to 3,000 gallons of water, eliminate 1,000 lbs. in carbon dioxide emissions, and reduce your water bill by $50 per person per year.
3. Change Your Air Filter - $10/filter
Dust and dirt that clog air filters can reduce their effectiveness and make your heating and cooling system work harder. A system with a clogged filter consumes more energy and has a shorter lifespan. Recommendations of how often to change your filter range from one month to three months depending on how often you use your air conditioning and heating system and how fast dust accumulates on the filter.
4. Install a Water Heater Blanket, Lower the Water Temperature - $20
Traditional water heaters keep a large amount of water inside at a certain temperature, usually 140 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to reduce the amount of work required to keep hot water in the system, you can reduce the standard temperature to 130 degrees and install a water heater blanket. A water heater blanket wraps around the water heater to reduce heat loss by 25-40%. Be sure to keep important information regarding maintaining the water heater visible when you install one of these.
5. Programmable Thermostat - $40
Heating and cooling can be as much as half of your energy bills. A programmable thermostat that has multiple time settings can help you reduce your bills by turning off your heater or air conditioner while you're at work and can reduce their usage during sleeping hours. This feature alone will help you reduce your heating and cooling bills by $150 a year.
6. Weather Stripping and Caulking Around Windows and Doors - $20-$50
Some older windows and doors don't have proper weather stripping and some estimate that this can account for 46 percent of annual heat loss. Applying weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors can serve as a cost-effective way to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
While these methods can help you conserve energy at your current home, you may want to put green features into considering when searching for your next home.
Mark Cheng is a San Gabriel Valley, California real estate agent with IRN Realty ( http://www.irnrealty.com ) specializing in Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Temple City, and Arcadia real estate and homes for sale. Find more about him and search for listings at http://www.markcheng.net
Monday, May 12, 2008
How to "Go Green" With Your Home
With all the attention that global warming is receiving these days, everyone is looking to make the world a better and safer place to live. There are many ways to "go green" and in such a large city as Houston, Texas, this may be even more important. There are many ways to cut back on the harmful emissions and Houston families can do many of these right in and around their homes to reduce waste and save energy.
Reducing water usage is a terrific way to go green in Houston. By simply replacing your old showerhead with one that has a lower flow and is energy efficient, an incredible 280 gallons of water a month can be saved by a family of four. A misconception with these showerheads is that they will reduce the amount of water pressure in the shower but that is not true. You will not only enjoy your shower just as much as you used to but you will enjoy it more knowing that you are doing good for the planet, and saving on your water bill!
It only makes sense that buying greenery and placing it inside and outside your home will promote "going green."
Residents in Houston and the rest of the state of Texas are lucky in the way that there are many beautiful plants, shrubs, and flowers that are native to Texas and are easy to grow and maintain. By placing some of this greenery inside the home it will help to remove irritants such as formaldehyde and benzene. Buy planting flowers and plants in your garden that are native to Houston in your outdoor landscaping, you will be helping the environment by not using so much fertilizer or pesticides. Some wonderful plants that are native to Texas are: pigeonberry, red columbine, betony, fall obedient plant, scarlet sage, and black-eyed susan.
Besides planting Texas-native plants, there are other ways to "go green" with your landscaping as well. Placing solar powered lights in the patio or garden area will provide a fabulous way of displaying your gorgeous landscaping and it will also help cut the energy costs and omit any wires that could detract from the beautiful space. When tending to your lawn and garden, opt for a lawn mower with a reel, instead of a power mower. These are much easier to use than they once were and they will also save on energy. If you really do prefer power mowers, there are many battery-operated models available that will also help preserve energy and save the earth.
Batteries such as those that are used for cell phones, digital cameras, and video cameras, are very harmful to the environment. Houston has actually illegal to throw out these types of batteries and have set up many different programs for recycling them. In addition to batteries, there are also many Houston community programs that will recycle the entire device once they are no longer being used.
Reducing the amount of electricity used within the home is another great way to "go green" in Houston. There are now compact fluorescent light bulbs that are more effective than regular light bulbs. These light bulbs will last ten times longer, saving you some money on the electricity bill as well as protecting the earth's energy. Using a laptop rather than a personal computer will also help cut the amount of energy used as they use significantly less power. Freezer and refrigerator temperatures should also be adjusted to minimize energy output. A refrigerator temperature should be set to 37 degrees Fahrenheit, and the freezer temperature no lower than zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Eliminating paper waste is another step in making Houston a greener city. When printing something off a computer, make sure that the printer is set to print on both sides of the page and when you mistakenly print something, flip the paper around and use the other side to print your next document.
For more home tips visit http://www.houstonproperties.com/houston-real-estate-resources.html
Paige Martin is a member of the prestigious Martha Turner Properties' Circle of Excellence, an award given to honor the company's top producers. Paige is a member of the Houston Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors. Her website features over 500 pages of Houston real estate information and details on over 40,000 properties and all [http://www.houstonproperties.com/houston-townhomes.html]Townhomes in Houston for sale as well, as details on [http://www.findhoustonhome.com/memorial.html]Memorial Houston Texas homes for sale. Paige Martin, Realtor, Martha Turner Properties.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paige_Martin http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Go-Green-With-Your-Home&id=1166007
Reducing water usage is a terrific way to go green in Houston. By simply replacing your old showerhead with one that has a lower flow and is energy efficient, an incredible 280 gallons of water a month can be saved by a family of four. A misconception with these showerheads is that they will reduce the amount of water pressure in the shower but that is not true. You will not only enjoy your shower just as much as you used to but you will enjoy it more knowing that you are doing good for the planet, and saving on your water bill!
It only makes sense that buying greenery and placing it inside and outside your home will promote "going green."
Residents in Houston and the rest of the state of Texas are lucky in the way that there are many beautiful plants, shrubs, and flowers that are native to Texas and are easy to grow and maintain. By placing some of this greenery inside the home it will help to remove irritants such as formaldehyde and benzene. Buy planting flowers and plants in your garden that are native to Houston in your outdoor landscaping, you will be helping the environment by not using so much fertilizer or pesticides. Some wonderful plants that are native to Texas are: pigeonberry, red columbine, betony, fall obedient plant, scarlet sage, and black-eyed susan.
Besides planting Texas-native plants, there are other ways to "go green" with your landscaping as well. Placing solar powered lights in the patio or garden area will provide a fabulous way of displaying your gorgeous landscaping and it will also help cut the energy costs and omit any wires that could detract from the beautiful space. When tending to your lawn and garden, opt for a lawn mower with a reel, instead of a power mower. These are much easier to use than they once were and they will also save on energy. If you really do prefer power mowers, there are many battery-operated models available that will also help preserve energy and save the earth.
Batteries such as those that are used for cell phones, digital cameras, and video cameras, are very harmful to the environment. Houston has actually illegal to throw out these types of batteries and have set up many different programs for recycling them. In addition to batteries, there are also many Houston community programs that will recycle the entire device once they are no longer being used.
Reducing the amount of electricity used within the home is another great way to "go green" in Houston. There are now compact fluorescent light bulbs that are more effective than regular light bulbs. These light bulbs will last ten times longer, saving you some money on the electricity bill as well as protecting the earth's energy. Using a laptop rather than a personal computer will also help cut the amount of energy used as they use significantly less power. Freezer and refrigerator temperatures should also be adjusted to minimize energy output. A refrigerator temperature should be set to 37 degrees Fahrenheit, and the freezer temperature no lower than zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Eliminating paper waste is another step in making Houston a greener city. When printing something off a computer, make sure that the printer is set to print on both sides of the page and when you mistakenly print something, flip the paper around and use the other side to print your next document.
For more home tips visit http://www.houstonproperties.com/houston-real-estate-resources.html
Paige Martin is a member of the prestigious Martha Turner Properties' Circle of Excellence, an award given to honor the company's top producers. Paige is a member of the Houston Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors. Her website features over 500 pages of Houston real estate information and details on over 40,000 properties and all [http://www.houstonproperties.com/houston-townhomes.html]Townhomes in Houston for sale as well, as details on [http://www.findhoustonhome.com/memorial.html]Memorial Houston Texas homes for sale. Paige Martin, Realtor, Martha Turner Properties.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paige_Martin http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Go-Green-With-Your-Home&id=1166007
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