Energy Saving Facts For Home or Business
Switching to wind or Solar Power is the ultimate goal to reduce and even eliminte your utility bills, live a greener life and save a ton of hard earned cash, but there are many easy steps you can implement now which are often overlooked.
Acting on this advice will not only save you money now but it will make the switch to Alternative Energy easier for you, minimising the power output of your home or business will mean less output and so fewer steps needed to live off grid.
lightbulbs
First step is to change your lightbulbs if you have not already done so, a compact flourescent lightbulb cost more to buy initially but is still only a few dollars and could see a saving of 70% and lasts up to 10 times longer so it could pay for itself over a period of 6 months, try to change 1 lightbulb per week or 2 a month until your whole premises is done.
Phantom Loads
This one may shock you, a phantom load is the energy an appliance uses while switched off but still plugged in, it is believed that in some cases up to 75% of power consumed by home or business electronics is when they are switched off, either unplug everything you can or use power strips and unplug those when items are not in use,
Insulation
The attic is the worst culprit for this as heat rises, but also walls 7 floors, check to see if your home is insulated in these areas and how long ago it was installed as you may need to renew or upgrade, check with local councils or authorities as many are now giving grants to help with the cost,
Appliances
We all like to get as many years use out of our appliances as we can but when its time to replace look for the energy star rating, once again the better efficiency of the appliance will cost a little more when purchasing but will save you money in the long run, a tip if you have got a freezer that is quite old is to make sure you defrost at regular intervals and keep it full.
Windows
Windows are not a good barrier and double glazing is a must to save energy loss, even so make sure that all windows and doors have a good seal around them and use a sealant where required.
Conserve Water
Using less water will lower your water bill if your property is on a meter but also use less hot water by taking showers instead of baths, wash up fewer times per day and adjust the thermostat on your hot water tank, keep lowering the temperature until you find a level that is Ok for you, it may be a case that your water is boiling away at a temperature that is way to hot.
Programmable Thermostat
using a Programmable Thermostat will enable you to just have your heating or hot water on when its needed and not have to worry, you can set the programme to switch on or off at certain times of day so you are in complete control.
The World is now finally moving at a faster pace towards Green Power & the advancements should pick up pace over the next few years and the very latest step is the European Union has banned the manufacture or import of 100w frosted & incandescent light bulbs, they will slowly be phased out and finally disappear in 2012, this move will force people to use the energy efficient florescent or halogen lamps which use less power and last longer so could use up to 80% less.
What others are Saying About Saving energy
The Energy Savings Trust are floating an idea that in six years time homes which have an energy rating of “F” or “G” should not be allowed to be sold or rented out. The idea is intended to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from … Read more…
Hospitals look to cut energy costs
In a large-scale equivalent of switching out incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents at home, hospitals are saving money and reducing their carbon footprint with energy saving efforts. Read more…
The endless efficiency resource
The Energy Department strives to be a leader in championing energy efficiency. Its Web site lists energy saving tips, while Secretary Steven Chu calls conservation one of the department’s most important goals. … Read more…
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Tagged with: advice • bills.costs • cost • electricity • energy • facts • fuel • gas • heating • money • save • water
Filed under: Renewable Energy
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I found your blog from ask.com and it is incredible. Thank you for sharing such an awesome post!!!!
Everything helps. Taking many small steps can make a big difference. Things like good insulation and double glazing will make a difference to the warmth of a biulding.
Thanks for the great tips.This will not only save me a lot of money running my home and business but this will greatly help in minimizing the effects of climate change.Kudos to you!
Ivy@Small Business Resources´s last blog ..Dec 2, Small Business Grants Alabama
I have never heard of phantom loads. I leave all of my appliances plugged in all the time! Things like the tv, microwave, coffee pot, washer & dryer, lamps…. I will take inventory and see which ones can be left unplugged.
Thanks!
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Nice site youve got there. I never knew what keyword luv did until i found your website via bing so i will add it to my own website. Thanks
Solar Panels are a great way to save, sunlight is free and will always be there. Wind is also a great way of creating energy and again is FREE i wish people would put the environment first and go with these ideas, fingers crossed in the future this will be a way that we all do things its sustainable and it makes sense !!!!
Great post. Solar and Wind energy is best option in reducing our monthly bills. I am happy that people are already searching for an alternatives.
More economically friendly forms of energy have two obvious advantages: saving the environment and saving money. There’s absolutely no reason not to do some of the things you have mentioned.
The problem comes with some of the things that really make a huge difference, such as Solar Power and Wind Power. These are very expensive to start with, and if they weren’t then I’m sure people would use them. I think governments need to be much more active in helping people with this.
Great info and tips. Happy to read this article. This will really a big help for people who are very problematic with their monthly bills.