Posts Tagged ‘Energy Saving Tips’

Nic demonstrates how easy it is to foil-back your radiators in your home. Adding the foil-backing means heat gets reflected back into the room rather than escaping through the walls of your house, saving you both energy and money. For more great, simple energy-saving tips, visit the Big Green Switch at www.biggreenswitch.co.uk

The Magnets 4 Energy e-book is more than just a plan for a Do It Yourself (DIY) magnetic generator. A magnetic generator uses the natural pulling and pushing forces to create the kinetic energy needed to spin an electric dynamo. The power produced can be used to supplement a home energy supply to reduce electricity bills.

However, there are many easy and simple steps you can take which will reduce your house power usage. The following are 10 energy saving tips as recommended in the Magnets 4 Energy manual:

1) Have better insulation – One of the biggest energy expenses for a home is on heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system (HVAC). Any steps taken to improve this area will reduce your home electric consumption substantially.

One method of reducing HVAC cost is to have a better home insulation. With good insulation, your home will have a better heat retention during winter therefore cutting your heating cost.

2) High energy efficiency appliances – How old are your home electrical appliances? Old devices tend to use more energy. Modern electrical equipment uses less power. It would be a good investment which will pay for itself in the long run.

3) Florescent lighting – You can reduce your energy bill by simply replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs (CFL). Although CFL costs more, it uses 4 times less energy and last on average 8 times longer compared to an incandescent light bulb.

4) Reduce phantom power user – Some electric devices such as computer, TV, microwave etc use electricity even when it is on Standby mode. It is a good idea to just unplug them when not in use.

5) Reduce home temperature – During winter time, try setting your living room temperature a few degrees lower. The environment is still relative comfortable. If it gets too cold, just put on a sweater.

6) Use water efficiently – The amount of water used at home indirectly affects your household expenses. To save money, use a low-flow shower head to cut water consumption.

7) Replace filters – Some electrical appliance such as air conditioning unit or furnace has air filtration system. You can increase the device efficiency by simply replacing its filter regularly.

Avoid using batteries – When possible, try not to use any alkaline based batteries. Use the rechargeable type. They may cost more, but it is cheaper on the long run.

9) Buy locally – When you shop for goods made locally, you are reducing the amount of energy needed to ship the goods to your home. By buying locally, you save money because it is cheaper.

10) Walk or use a bicycle – Using a bicycle or walking does not reduce your home expenses directly. It does reduce your total money spent on energy. When you walk or use a bicycle, you save money by not purchasing any gasoline.

For homeowners wanting to find new ways to cut spending, boost savings and do their bit for the environment at the same time, then there are a number of solutions worth considering that will help achieve all three goals. Of course, a little up front investment is required but the longer-term financial and environmental benefits will be worth every penny.

It’s estimated that as many as three quarters of all homes lose energy due to insufficient insulation. A lot of heat is lost in a home through the roof, so it’s worth considering installing loft insulation which should just about pay for itself in the first year with the amount of energy that is saved and, thereafter, it’s really just money for nothing.

Similarly, many homes have old boilers installed which are not only less effective in heating a house but they tend to waste a lot of energy too. One solution is to arrange for an A-rated, energy efficient boiler to be installed which can create substantial savings. Alternatively, for those who already have a relatively new boiler that’s still working well, then it’s just a case of ensuring it’s well maintained and kept in tip-top condition.

Another great idea is to fit a special jacket to the hot water tank which will help keep water hotter for longer and can reduce heat loss by over three quarters. The minimum recommended thickness of a hot water tank jacket is 75mm and they can be bought for a little over ten pounds, so it would pay for itself in a matter of months with the amount of energy that is saved.

Perhaps the easiest of all energy saving tips to manage is making sure all electrical devices are switched off when not in use. As televisions have gotten bigger in recent years, this also means more energy is needed to keep them running – it’s estimated that a sixty inch flat panel television costs £140 on average each year to run, whereas the old style Cathod Ray Tube (CRT) televisions cost substantially less, simply because there was inherent limitations in how big their screens could be.

It’s estimated that by the year 2020, televisions left on standby will account for over 1% of all domestic energy consumption, so it really is wise to switch a TV off at the mains if not in use.

Furthermore, with well over sixty million mobile phones in use across the UK, a substantial amount of energy is wasted by people charging their phones and leaving the charger in the mains, even when the charge is complete.

This coupled with computers on standby, lights left on in empty rooms and doors left open when the heating is on, makes it’s easy to see how much energy could be saved by following a few simple steps. By having a sensible approach to home power consumption, the smallest of changes can have a massive impact if everyone does their bit.

Its true to say that our lives are getting busier. We’re working harder than ever and finding less and less time to do the things that we really want to do. Think you are too busy to be green? Think again. Ariel and environmental expert Joanna Yarrow have put together a vodcast to show you the small changes that can be made around home with minimal time, effort and importantly, expense. The vodcast features Joanna walking you around her home pointing out minor changes to your lifestyle that, collectively, make a major difference to the amount of energy we use. In the last few years alone, 72% of women have changed their laundry habits to wash at lower temperatures and are now helping to save energy in the home*. If you too took the step to set your wash cycle to 30 degrees instead of 40 you could save up to 40% of the energy used with every wash. If you think that taking the time to be green to will take up too much of your own time then the five minute long vodcast will show Joanna demonstrating a host of energy-saving tips that take no more than an hour to implement, with some only taking a minute or two. You can watch them at home and put them into practice by the time you go to bed! Because todays environmental issues represent new important challenges, Ariel, together with the Energy Saving Trust is committed to providing people with simple solutions that help to reduce our impact on the environment. Further details can be found on the Energy Saving Trust website www …

While some energy saving tips for homes are common knowledge, others are not so obvious. Every tip you apply on a regular basis will help to lower your utility bills in the long run.

One idea is to replace all of your standard light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs. You can choose between fluorescent bulbs, also known as CFL bulbs, and LED bulbs. Whichever style you prefer, it will provide the right amount of lighting you need in your home while using less energy. Although they are equally suited to any size home, the more incandescent bulbs you replace with one of these other options, the more impact it will have on your energy bills.

Most people know that not allowing energy-draining products to run when they are not in use saves money, but some products are not as noticeable. You might think that leaving your television converter box on standby, or leaving the household’s power bars on overnight do not matter, but they do drain energy. It takes very little effort to turn all of these “extras” off when you will not be using them for many hours. It is a positive start in cutting energy costs.

Keeping your home in top-notch condition not only creates a nicer environment to live in, but reduces costs as well. One tip is to make sure your apartment or house is prepared for seasonal changes. Doors and windows which do not allow outside air to come into the home will make your air conditioning work better in the summer, and your winter heating will be more effective.

These few basic tips can lower your bills and make living in your house or apartment more comfortable and enjoyable.

Click to Learn more about Energy Saving Tips for Homes

THIS IS THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER OF THE 2009 “TEENS POWER TEXAS” VIDEO CONTEST. Ray received $1500 cash and an additional $1000 to support his film production class! Ray offers the viewers many energy saving tips through a fun and creative demonstration. This video is Ray Brown’s entry for the “Co-Op Teens Power Texas” Video contest. All of the tips are practical, and great advice for saving energy, the environment, and your wallet.

With the earth’s natural resources being depleted at an alarming rate it becomes the duty of every individual to incorporate some environmental friendly changes in their lifestyle in order to make a small but very significant contribution towards energy saving. If each and every one of us carries out their daily lives in a more eco – conscious way there can be very dynamic long term changes towards a better and healthier planet.

Every solution to a crisis begins with changes at the most basic level and this applies to our current state of environment as well. By making minor alterations in our day to day lives we will be surprised at the extent of energy saving that can be achieved in a house. Listed below are some smart and simple energy saving ways by which home owners can reduce their electricity and utility bills as well as lead a more responsible and eco – conscious lifestyle:

1. Unplug and shut off electrical appliances: Making a conscious effort to unplug cell phones after charging, switching off computer monitors or putting them on energy saving mode can save you money on a long term as well as increase the life of your electrical appliances.

2. Use easy and eco friendly cooking techniques: Incorporating ingenuous cooking methods such as using solar cookers and small stove burners can help in energy saving as well as increase the nutrition content of your food.

3. Install a solar water heater: Installing a solar water heater for your home is one of the wisest ways of energy saving as well as cutting down on electricity bills. There are a large variety of solar water heaters available in the market to suit the water requirement for diverse families and investing in one is a very viable purchase.

4. Insulate your home: There are various small ways by which you can insulate your home and decrease your heating and cooling costs considerably. Some energy saving tips for insulating your home include getting energy efficient door and window replacements, planting trees around the house, using wooden flooring, insulating water heaters etc.

5. Prepare a rain water harvesting tank: A rain water harvesting tank can be prepared easily and is a very useful way to conserve water during rainy months and use it to irrigate the lawns and garden area of your house during the summers.

Following simple steps at home and changing some common habits to more eco-friendly alternatives will help in saving money as well as becoming more aware and responsible citizens. So go ahead and incorporate the above energy saving guidelines into your life for a better and healthier future.

Here are 10 tips that you can to use to cut down on the energy usage in your household and also reduce your power bills

1.Firstly you can insulate your house. Most of the heat that is provided to your house escapes through un-insulated roofs and walls. Moreover maximum number of homes in the United Kingdom does not have the required amount of insulation.

2.Secondly switch off any appliance that you have kept on standby. An average household in the United Kingdom wasted up to £30 in a single year simply by leaving the appliances on standby and not switching them off properly,

3.Disconnect electrical devices properly from the plug. Do not simply turn them off with the remote control device and leave.

4.You can also save a lot of energy by buying appliances that are energy efficient. These need not necessarily be more expensive than conventional. Moreover since they cut down on the energy you use ultimately your power bill gets reduced. This is the reason it wise to buy energy efficient appliance even if they are a  tad more expensive. The amount of money it will save you by cutting down on your power usage will make up for the extra dough you will be shelling out in the beginning. A

5.Use only those appliances which you will need. For example a 20watt power bulb can save up to 60 pounds in its entire lifetime as compared to a 100 watt power tube. So if you are in a place that douse not require much light then it is better to use the bulb than the tube light.

6.Use a boiler that is high in efficiency. This way the energy save would almost be enough to power around two million homes.

7.While boiling water use only as much water as you need. Moreover cover your pots and pans while cooking. This makes them the food get cooked faster thus saving on the amount of power usage by your kitchen appliances.

8.Try to use your dishwasher or washing machine to run always at full capacity. This will not necessitate its usage for more number of times that is necessary. The less amount of usage of these electrical appliance wil also reduce your bill manifold.

9.Turn down your central heating. Simply by turning down the central heating in your house you can save as much as up to 10% of our current electrical bill.

10.Use light bulbs and tubes that are energy efficient and do not waste power. It is assumed if all the homes of United Kingdom used energy efficient light source, then it would save enough power to give power to keep all the streetlights on the road.

www.greenrep.net Discussion with Maria Vargas, Energy Star Program, on tips to save energy this summer while keeping your home cool with energy efficient products and practices. www.greenrep.net

Energy Saving Tips
Even high-efficiency heating and cooling systems need help. Here are some things we can all do to save energy all year around!

Winter

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Lower your thermostat from 72°F to 64°F for eight hours a day, and you’ll save as much as 11% on energy costs. Every degree you lower your thermostat below 68°F, for at least 8 hours, could save you about 3% on your heating bill.

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Winterize windows with weather-stripping (for moveable joints) and caulk (for nonmoving parts). Also, use a window kit to insulate the inside of your windows to keep cold air out and warm air in.

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Change your home heating system filter once a month.

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Keep baseboards and vents clear of rugs and furniture.

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Make sure you reverse the direction of ceiling fans so they move warm air down. Otherwise, the fans will create a wind-chill effect.

Summer

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Avoid using your stove, oven, dishwasher or clothes dryer during the warmest periods of the day. Your a/c system will have to work harder to keep your home cool.

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Fill your dishwasher completely before running it. In the summer, a dishwasher can add humidity to the air, so your air conditioning system will need to work harder to maintain a cool temperature.

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Clean the outdoor coils on your cooling system as often as necessary (when dirt is visible on the outside of the coil).

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Clean the a/c evaporator coil and condensate pan every year.

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Clean the blower fan blades.

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Clean heating and air conditioning system supply and return registers and straighten their fins.

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Plant shade trees around your outdoor a/c unit. A unit sitting in the sun can use significantly more energy to cool your home than one in the shade.

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Install ceiling fans. They use less energy than air conditioners and allow you to feel cool with your thermostat set at a higher temperature.

All Year Around

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Heating water is the third highest energy expense in most homes. If the temperature setting of your water heater is at 140°F, turn it down to 130°F. You’ll save a few dollars each month.

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Cooking meals with a microwave oven uses about half the energy of a conventional oven.

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Washing clothes in cold water instead of hot water can save you about $50 a year.

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Save money in the laundry room. Put a large dry bath towel in the dryer with each load of wet clothes. The towel will absorb dampness and reduce drying time by up to 33%, saving energy and money.

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If you have a crawl space, inspect it regularly to be sure that the insulation inside is dry. When insulation gets wet, its effectiveness is significantly reduced. Find the source of the moisture and replace any damaged insulation.

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Vacuum the coils on your refrigerator every year. The dirt buildup makes the refrigerator work harder to keep the contents cool and uses more energy.

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Check for open fireplace dampers.

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In cold climates, double-pane windows with a low-emissive glass coating can reduce heating bills by 34% compared with uncoated single-pane windows.

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When adjusting a thermostat manually, remember that the house will not warm up or cool down faster if you set the thermostat past the desired temperature.

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Consider landscaping your home for energy conservation. For instance, plant evergreen trees on the north side and deciduous (leafy) trees on the south side to block winter winds and the summer sun.

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Make sure your attic is well insulated. This step alone can save you 20%-35% on heating costs and up to 35% on air conditioning costs.

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Install flow-restricting showerheads. You can reduce hot water use by as much as 50% without affecting shower pressure.

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Leave your storm windows on all year long. They provide valuable year-round insulation and substantial energy savings.

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Windows should have ample coverings to provide shade from warm sunlight in summer months. Draperies can provide added insulation in winter.

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Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans wisely; in just one hour these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed or cooled air. Turn fans off as soon as they have done the job.

You can always save the amount of electricity you use in your home by correct usage of the electrical appliances you have and taking note of the energy saving tips supplied. But there is a simpler way you can save the energy you use. The best way to conserve energy at the moment is to invest in energy saving electrical appliances available in the market. This becomes both a cheaper and economical way to use electricity. Electrical appliances can easily be recycled hence you can always take them to a recycling centre that is responsible for environment friendly disposal of such items instead of throwing them about carelessly.  

Energy saving appliances are marked hence whether you are starting to buy or replacing the appliances, go for the ones with an energy saving logo on them just to be sure. The best thing with such appliances is that they are not very expensive considering what you achieve in return.  With energy saving electrical appliances, you will realize that your monthly electricity bill is significantly reduced and you save a large percentage of the electricity you use in a year. If you are aware of your total energy consumption per year, you can try comparing your use when you use energy saving appliances and notice the difference.

The other good thing with these appliances is the effect they have on the environment. They are known to be environmentally friendly and form part of the wide collection of products available that are eco-friendly. The rate at which the environment is being polluted has made a lot of people start thinking of ways to minimize this and this has resulted in the eco friendly products. Sooner or later everything you use will be green so you better start with the electrical appliances in your home which form a bigger percentage of your home appliances. You can also reduce the cost of electricity in your office by getting energy saving electrical appliances just like your home.  

Washing machines, refrigerators, electric irons, fans, microwave ovens, dish washers are some of the electrical appliances that use electricity in the home that we can save energy with. Items such as the refrigerators consume electricity 24 hours and this weighs heavily on the electricity bill. The best thing is to go for the energy saving ones.

Energy saving electrical appliances also come in a variety of styles and designs hence you can always have your favorite design. Appliances are also available for all budgets it’s all about doing a through search to identify one you can afford. Be sure to check the energy saving ratings of the appliance you want before purchasing it. Make sure you buy your products from companies and manufacturers you are sure provide energy saving and environmentally safe electrical appliances.  

Getting an energy saving electrical appliance is one step towards being responsible for the electricity you use as well as being part of the efforts towards providing an environment safe for everyone to live in.

Check out these six energy-saving tips as winter approaches.

Did you know that lighting represents up to 15 percent of your home energy use? Did you know you can achieve energy savings of up to 75 percent on your lighting, without compromising the look and feel of your home? These tips from PSE will help you understand more about home lighting and the options available to help you save energy, money and the environment. For more information, visit PSE.com.

Ryness (http://www.ryness.co.uk) is the home of lightbulbs of all descriptions, from the remaining stock of old fashioned lightbulbs that are banned to the latest in energy saving lighting. Saving energy helps cut fossil fuel production. When fossil fuel is burned it releases carbon dioxide which contributes significantly to climate change. Here, Ryness gives you its top energy saving tips – helping you to save money while you help the environment.

Not only is the planet being harmed by the increase in energy consumption, but rising energy costs and increased home electrical appliances have led to higher energy bills. By cutting your own energy consumption you are helping the wider environmental effort while helping to reduce these rising costs in the home. There are simple but effective ways to do this:

Switch to energy saving light bulbs and energy saving lamps. The new energy saving light bulbs use around a quarter of the electricity of standard bulbs and last eight times longer. They can help you save over 90% in energy costs and Ryness stock the cheapest LED lighting and light bulbs on the internet; further saving you money!
Update your appliances. Older electrical appliances are far less energy efficient. It’s cheap to replace commonly used appliances such as toasters, kettles and sandwich makers, and it’s surprising how much energy you will reduce by updating to a newer model.
Turn your washing machine down to 30°C and always ensure you wait until you have a full load of washing.
When it comes to heating, turn your thermostat down by only 1°C and you can save around £10 per year. Fitting thermostatic radiator valves allows you to set different temperatures around the house. Also make sure that furniture and curtains are not blocking the heat.
Insulate your home sufficiently. Homes that are poorly insulated can lose up to half of their heat through the roof and walls. Loft and cavity wall insulation does not cost much, but can save you money on your heating bills as well as cutting your energy consumption.
Finally, switch off appliances when you don’t need them. Most of us are sufficiently energy-aware to turn off lights when they’re not needed, but can often forget to switch off standby appliances such as TVs and DVD players.

If you would like more information on energy saving lighting, visit http://www.ryness.co.uk, where you can buy light bulbs online as well as update your electrical appliances for less.