10 Tips to Cut Electricity Use

Source: http://www.themoneytimes.com/featured/20090716/10-tips-cutting-electricity-costs-id-1076603.html last access 7/16/09. There are many different ways to lower your energy bills and with the heat of the summer coming on strong, why not look into a couple. It pays to stay comfortable.

1. Conduct an Energy Audit - Their first recommendation is to see how much energy you're using and where the areas are that you could be saving money. There are many different ways to do this (online programs, do-it-yourself checklists...etc.) The first step is to find out where you are.
2. Invest in Florescent Lights - they suggest these because they are much more efficient than even cfls and there are a bunch of different rebates for installing them (see Edison www.sce.com) Plus, there aren't too many of the lingering side effects for fluorescent lights that there used to be - flickering...etc. So it provides nice lighting on a budget. This is especially a good consideration if it is a home office or showroom.
3. Switch off or unplug electric devices - Using a power strip can be especially helpful. Also, there are a couple of different settings on computers and Tv's to use the lower energy settings especially when in "sleep" mode. Read your manual for instructions on how to program these settings.
4. Purchase Energy Efficient Appliances - If you have older appliances they are using way too much energy. That means that if you can afford to replace big ticket appliances like your fridge or your heating and air, you are going to save a substantial amount on your energy bills.
5. Program your Thermostat - I cannot stress this one enough. If you have a programmable thermostat and you aren't using it like a programmable thermostat YOU AREN'T SAVING ANY MONEY. If you can turn on the air while it's still cool, your unit won't have to work as hard to cool down a really hot house. This saves you money and keeps your unit running efficiently.
6. Regulate Your Water Heater - with newer water heaters you can program them just like your air conditioning. This means that you can turn down the water temperature when you're away - even if it's for the majority of the day.
7. Add Insulation - I can't also stress this one enough - If your house isn't insulated there is no point in cooling it. Scientifically heat transfers from hot to cool, so if it's hotter outside and there is nothing preventing the transfer, it's going to get hot in your house. Insulation prevents the air from escaping and keeps the cold air in. Insulation in the attic also keeps the whole House cooler.
8. Use the Washing Machine and Dishwasher Wisely - if you are running the washing machine and dish washer without full loads you are wasting energy and water. Heating the water also adds a considerable chunk to your energy bill.
9. Save on cooking - use the method of cooking that's shorter...
10. Plant trees - shading your house keeps it cooler and then that leaves you free to turn the thermostat up which saves on your air conditioning bills.

Hope these tips help to keep you cool and within your budget this summer.

Drafty Rooms

Source: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_solutions.hm_improvement_draftyrooms

Drafty Rooms Diagnosis: Cold air leaking into your house around windows, doors, electrical outlets, light fixtures, and gaps in corners, can cause rooms to feel drafty and uncomfortable. As cold air is coming in through leaks, warm air is escaping through other leaks. The biggest leaks for escaping air are often found in the attic, and recessed lights are a common location. Prescription Checklist: Air sealing (Home Sealing) can help stop drafts and improve the comfort of your home. The most important leaks are often in the attic. You can do some things yourself, but for the best solution you need to hire a contractor. Ask your heating and cooling contractor to check ducts for air leaks and balanced airflow. If you have a fireplace, close the damper when not in use. You may also be interested in: Home Sealing Cold Floors Hot or Cold Rooms

How should one go about "sealing" their home? First, check to see what areas might be in need of sealing. If you notice one room particularly cooler (or hotter) than the others, I would start there.

Here is a very simple and basic list to start sealing your home:

1. Ensure the spaces around windows and doors are sealed. This can be as easy as caulking around the perimeters or as difficult as having a professional replace older windows.
2. Install dampers in chimneys to prevent air loss through the chimneys.
3. Check the amount of insulation your home requires. (There are different numbers according to the location of your home.) Pay special attention to the attic - a homeowner may add insulation or a type of radiant barrier to reflect sunlight and prevent the attic from getting overly warm during summer.

If you want to provide your home with the highest potential draft reduction, it is best to hire a contractor that specializes in home envelope testing. To test for the envelope, a contractor may use infrared tracking, air vacuum measuring and other 'new-fangled' types of figuring where your home may have leaks.

If your home is well sealed, you are not heating or cooling the outside - AND that saves you money on your energy bills. :)

20% Vampire

Do you own a TV? a computer? a VCR...the list goes on and on. Electronics are beginning to replace the refrigerator as the leading energy-users in the residential home.

But what can you do about that energy use? First things first - MEASURE it! Source: http://www.fypower.org/news/?p=629&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eNewswire&utm_content=601417125&utm_campaign=e-Newswire+Issue+641+_+hjtkn&utm_term=Are+Energy+Vampires+Quietly+Boosting+Your+Bills%3f (please keep in mind that this is a newsletter entry and the address may change). The average home should be spending about 10-15% of their energy costs when appliances are in stand-by mode. If you have a high number of electronics this number may be considerably higher. There are measuring devices, so you can see how much your energy use is being affected by vampire appliances (appliances that use energy even while turned off.) How can you tell if an appliance is a vampire? This is really easy in the dark (This is really funny to me - vampires...coming out at night...) At night, or with the home dark check for those little red, green...or orange? etc. Lights. These little lights, like on your TV, or computer monitor show that there is POWER to the unit. If there is POWER to the unit and you aren't using the unit - that POWER is being WASTED.

Simple fixes? Turn off the units when they aren't being used.

Even easier? Use a power strip or a squid. -- Okay, but don't just buy the thing - you actually have to trip the little power switch on the power strip to make it actually useful. That way you can turn off your entire entertainment system when you aren't using it. That makes life so much easier...it's all on one button.

Why spend money on energy you're not even using?

Energy Measuring

Yesterday’s blog entry described the “snackwell effect” for energy use with energy “efficient” appliances. Today’s entry will go over different ways to prevent (or rather, be aware) of the energy use in your home.

There are a couple of different outside ‘measuring’ devices that a homeowner can utilize to get a measurement of how much money and/or energy each appliance is using. Then you can benchmark your energy use or decide on techniques to curb that use.

One of the ways to measure your energy use is with a PowerCost Monitor. The nice thing about this monitoring device is that it

1. happens in real time
and
2. shows you how much MONEY the energy is costing you

This helps to eliminate the ‘looking at random numbers of energy measurement’ and provides numbers in more recognizable (and perhaps concrete) monetary value. See the invention at it’s home: .http://www.bluelineinnovations.com/default.asp?mn=1.274.285.388. Or read more about the PowerCost Monitor at: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/12/powercost_home.php.

There are other devices that are fairly similar to the powercost monitor. One such device is the Kill a Watt energy measuring device. This device determines exactly how “energy efficient” an appliance is running. Regardless of the energy star label or other claims to an item’s efficiency, if you aren’t using it the same way it was tested (in laboratory conditions) there are bound to be some differences in use. The Kill a Watt, prevents misuse, because it shows the homeowner how the energy is being used and how efficient the appliance is running. See the Kill a Watt at: http://www.p3international.com/products/special/P4400/P4400-CE.html Or read a commentary about the Kill a Watt’s consumer report report: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/03/consumer-reports-energy-monitors-kill-a-watt-watts-up.php.

While there are many more energy-measuring devices, these two are tested and vouched for by many energy-compliant agencies, so I would start here. If neither of these energy detectors makes you happy, I suggest doing your own research before purchasing another brand. You want to ensure that your energy measuring device is doing what it claims to.

AND remember: Use your energy efficient devices efficiently – or they aren’t going to save you any energy or money!

High Bill Help

Source: "Outrageous Power Bill Spurs Couple to Seek Audit" by Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier.

If your energy bills are higher than you think they should be is there really anything you can do to change that?

YES!

Contrary to popular belief there is usually something (and something fairly easy at that) that you can do as a homeowner to determine where your energy is being used and how to change that usage or conserve more energy. While there are several different options that you can do, the couple in this article opted instead for a home energy audit. These are usually provided by your power company, an energy use company or even a private contractor. The specialist will come to your house and ask you questions about how your energy is being used - so that he or she can determine where energy use can be saved without affecting your lifestyle too drastically. Then they will measure how much air is escaping from the house as well as the state of your equipment. This may be done a variety of different ways from infrared tracking to electrical air pressure measurement.

To find energy auditors in southern California...

First visit: http://www.fypower.org/res/energyaudit/professional.html this page gives you tips and suggestions on how to choose an auditing company as well as some sample questions that the auditor may ask you. You can find a local contractor by calling 888-357-1777 in Southern California. They will then provide you listings of energy auditors near you. If you want, you may also check with your local power company. For example, Southern California Edison has an energy auditing program. To learn more, visit their webpage:http://www.sce.com/_Tools/Residential/HomeEnergySurvey.htm Its in the section under the heading "In-Home Energy Survey"

"In one short visit to your home, a trained expert will help you improve your home's energy efficiency and lower your energy bills. Our energy service representatives are trained to evaluate when and how you use electricity, water and natural gas. After a brief survey, they will provide suggestions to guide you in making your home more energy efficient — reducing your energy bills, improving your home's comfort, and protecting the environment. Don't delay. Get started saving energy and money by making your home more energy efficient with our Free Home Energy Efficiency Survey. Schedule your money-saving home energy survey today by calling (800) 278-8585. Trained energy experts are available to meet with you at home or by phone any time between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on alternate Saturdays.

The more you know about the way you are using energy in your home, the more ways you can find to cut back and save some green. Don't be like these homeowners who are stuck with a hefty bill.