Home Energy Saving Tips
Ranked #14,585 in Home & Garden, #201,423 overall
Any Tips to Help Me Lower My Electric Bill?
Every homeowner dreams of seeing the day when they will start paying for lower utility bills. But, like what the American writer-humorist Will Rogers said many years ago about the weather: " Everyone talks about it, but nobody does anything about it."
Image: Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Contents at a Glance
“But unlike the weather, we can do a lot of things to improve our home's energy efficiency.”
Public Awareness Video on Renewable Energy
Let's All Do Our Share in Protecting the Environment!
Practical Energy Saving Ideas That Will Not Change Your Lifestyle
Over the years, new technology has been invented to improve the way we live. Manufacturers even produced various energy saving devices to offset the ever increasing cost of electricity. However, since new technology is a bit expensive at first, it may be best to use our common sense today and do some effort in saving energy without breaking the bank.
Why Save Energy? Here's Why!
Some Practical Home Energy Saving Tips
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1Avoid "phantom" energy users.
Never leave electrical appliances plugged in when not in use. You may not know it but they still consume energy when left that way. It is like a turning on the engine of your car and left it idling for a very long time. Got the idea? While a single plugged appliance may not increase your electric consumption significantly, leaving a number of appliance on "standby" can be a real energy vampire. -
2Turn down temperature.
A typical water heater holds about 40 gallons of water and it consumes a lot of energy as it tries to maintain the water at a constant temperature. So, if you're not expecting to use hot water for a while, it would be a great idea to maintain it at a lower temperature. -
3Check for drafts.
The openings and leaks in doors and windows create drafts.And the stronger the draft is, the longer it will take for your home to be properly heated or cooled. This will create an additional load for your heating and air-conditioning systems.
While these problems may not plague many newer homes since modern builders pay more attention in sealing draft-prone areas, older homes may not be as fortunate. Even if the outer walls are insulated, air leaks often occur around wall outlets, switches and vents that could result in water condensation around these areas. A good foam patch could fix the problem. Or you can use a thermal leak detector to determine the areas where your home leaks energy.
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4Use the microwave.
If there is nothing much to prepare for, let the stove and oven rest, and make use of the microwave instead. However, when you really need to use the stove, make sure that the bottom of the pan used for cooking matches the hob ring of the stove. Why? Because this will let you use just the right amount of energy to do the job. Allow too much flame for the pan and you are paying for heating the air around it. -
5Change your light bulbs.
CFL lights are great energy savers. By using CFL bulbs in lieu of incandescent light bulbs, you will save more than sixty percent of the cost of lighting. While it may be true that CFLs are a little more on the expensive side, you can easily recover the initial cost of the purchase because of its longer life and energy saving features. -
6Clean appliances regularly.
Dirt and dust interferes with the efficiency of appliances. Likewise, place a good distance (about 4 inches) between the wall and your appliances so your walls would not retain the heat (and create an additional load on your air conditioning system).
Power Strip: An Excellent Solution to Save You Money
Smart Strip LCG5 Energy Saving Power Strip with Auto-Switching Technology and Modem/Coaxial Surge Protection
Amazon Price: $30.18 (as of 06/02/2012)
Save money on electrical bills by using the Smart Strip LCG5 Energy Saving Power Strip! It has 10 outlets that work to efficiently power your electrical devices. Ideal for coaxial and phone lines, computer systems and home entertainment centers, this unique energy-saving power strip automatically switches devices on and off and uses less than one watt of power when fully energized. And with premium EMF/RFI filtering and 2875-joule protection to defend devices against surges, this strip keeps your valuable electronic equipment fully protected.
How to Use Power Strips
See the World in a New Light
Sylvania 29490 23-Watt CFL Mini Twist Light Bulb, Soft White, 6 pack
Amazon Price: $20.95 (as of 06/02/2012)
Energy-Efficient Bulbs Save You Money
Though these Sylvania Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs only use 23 watts of energy, they produce 100-watt light quality so you get maximum light output using the minimal amount of electricity. Each 23-watt bulb saves $61.00 in energy costs over its average rated life (8,000 hours), compared to a 100-watt (1,000 hours) incandescent bulb.
Environmentally Friendly, Energy Star Rated
These bulbs can also help save the environment. Since they use less energy, they emit lesser amounts of carbon dioxide, air-borne mercury, and other harmful pollutants. In addition, their long life span means fewer replacements, a reduced demand for raw materials, and lower recycling costs. In recognition of their energy-saving design, Sylvania Mini Twist bulbs earned the Energy Star label.
Great Power Saving Devices on Amazon
Turn It Off! Or Would You Rather...
Save Energy by markstrange
Browse Zazzle for another teezazzle.com
These Come Highly Recommended
Home Energy Saving Tips for Work-at-Home Moms
...and Dads!
Working from home brings a lot benefits. It saves you from commute and dressing up everyday, it gives you time for that extra minutes of sleep and it lets you work from your most convenient, and your most productive hours.
However, working from home may also increase your energy bills - unless you carefully choose your office equipment and do some energy saving measures.
Some Practical Energy Saving Tips to Consider
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1Look for the Energy Star seal of approval.
Buy energy efficient office equipment - computers, fax machines, scanners, printers, monitors and multifunction devices (scanner, copier, fax). Most ENERGY STAR office equipments consume 50% less energy than standard ones, while some may enable you to spend as 0% of the standard energy consumption.
An ENERGY STAR computer is 70% more energy efficient as compared to computers without this designation. When left inactive, this computer shifts into a low-power mode, which only uses 15 watts of power or less.
Aside from energy saving advantage, some office equipments reduce electromagnetic field emissions (for monitors), air-conditioning loads, and noise from transformers and fans. -
2Shut it down.
You don't need to keep all your home office equipment on all the time. Consider shutting them down and unplugging them, too, because they still draw power even when turned off. -
3Turn your monitor off.
Like you, your computer monitor needs a break. So, turn it off as you go for a break, especially if you're going to be out for more than an hour. Avoid using screensavers because they consume the same amount of energy as with normal computer use. As such, consider activating your computer's sleep mode to save energy more effectively. -
4Consider buying a laptop.
If you're buying a replacement unit for your old computer, consider buying a laptop instead as they consume less energy than desktop computers. -
5 Maximize natural light.
Set up your home office so as to natural light and minimize the use of lamps and room lights. If you're going to work during the night, consider using lamps instead of room lights since they consume far less energy.
Considering Buying a New Laptop?
Make Sure It's a Mac!
Apple MacBook Pro MC373LL/A 15-inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
Amazon Price: $2,350.00 (as of 06/02/2012)
The new MacBook Pro 15-inch models set all-new benchmarks for Mac notebooks. The 15-inch MacBook Pro feature Intel Core i7 processors, which boost performance up to 50 percent(1) and reach Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.33GHz. Next-generation NVIDIA graphics bring high performance to everything from 3D games to photos and videos. And the built-in battery lasts up to 10 hours (8 to 9 hours on the 15-inch models).(2) (1) Up to 50 percent faster compared with previous-generation MacBook Pro. (2) Testing conducted by Apple in March 2010 using preproduction 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo-based 13-inch MacBook Pro, 2.66GHz Intel Core i7-based 15-inch MacBook Pro, and 2.53GHz Intel Core i5-based 17-inch MacBook Pro. Battery life depends on configuration and use. See www.apple.com/batteries for more information. The wireless productivity test measures battery life by wirelessly browsing various websites and editing text in a word processing document with display brightness set to 50%.
A Printer for Every Need...
A Perfect Companion for Your New LAptop!
Canon PIXMA MP560 Wireless Inkjet All-In-One Photo Printer (3747B002)
Amazon Price: $124.99 (as of 06/02/2012)
The PIXMA MP560 Wireless Inkjet Photo All-In-One perfectly blends performance and convenience. Its built-in two-sided printing can save you paper and help the environment so you can be efficient and eco-friendly all at the same time. The new Auto Photo Fix II feature automatically adjusts and helps to correct your photos and you can preview images before you print on its built-in 2.0" LCD. Plus, quickly access and select the function of your choice with the Easy Scroll Wheel. Making copies? No problem. Dual Color Gamut Processing Technology enables your copies to maintain the integrity of the original. For the scanner in you, Auto Scan Mode2 automatically recognizes the type of original you are scanning and saves it with the appropriate settings.
For added versatility, enjoy computer-free photo printing options via compatible memory cards3, USB Flash Memory Drives4, PictBridge and optional Bluetooth devices.
Fed Up with High Electricity Bills?
Generate Your Own Electricity - for Less!
Other Recommended Resources for Saving Energy at Home
Unplug and Save!
Promote Green Energy!
Green Energy Mug by tshirtdujour
Create custom imprinted coffee mugs at Zazzle
Green Energy Sources
Why Use Them?
But, there is still hope. We can still change our ways.
One of the best ways to do it is to shift our focus on energy sources that will not harm our environment. And this is where the importance of green energy sources comes in.
While some may argue that it is sometimes difficult to generate the power we need using these alternative power sources, the fact remains that they can help provide us with the energy we need without harming the environment, quite the exact opposite of what you get when power providers continue to operate a coal or nuclear power plant.
We can harness the power of the sun and the wind to provide energy to our homes. We just need to know how.
DON'T Forget to Check These Out!
Energy Saving Products on eBay
Energy Savers: News and Information
A Little More About the Author
Energy Saving Tweets
Your Comments are Highly Appreciated!
So why not leave us a note to tell us you've been here? Thanks!
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scss Jun 26, 2011 @ 1:10 pm | delete
- I'm still waiting for my solar power panels to be installed - but great news is I have 'solar heating' system being intalled this week. The kind that sucks warm air from the roof and pumps it into the house area - I look forward to some serious gas central heating bill savings!
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karmicchristian
May 22, 2011 @ 6:00 am | delete
- Another great lens. Saving energy is again the need of the hour. Thank you.
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nickupton
May 12, 2011 @ 11:20 pm | delete
- Great lens. Those CFL light bulbs really do cut the electricity bills.
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billybraveheart
Apr 25, 2011 @ 11:22 pm | delete
- Nice one
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nichevalue
Mar 15, 2011 @ 11:39 am | delete
- Great information and resources on saving energy. I loved the turn it off T-shirt!
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There's simply no questions about it - all of us are tired of paying for skyrocketing utility bills. And that is the purpose of this lens - to share with... more »
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