If the wattage is not listed on the appliance, you can still estimate it by finding the current draw (in amperes) and multiplying that by the voltage used by the appliance. Most appliances in the United States use 120 volts. Larger appliances, such as clothes dryers and electric cooktops, use 240 volts. The amperes might be stamped on the unit in place of the wattage. If not, find a clamp-on ammeter—an electrician’s tool that clamps around one of the two wires on the appliance—to measure the current flowing through it. You can obtain this type of ammeter in stores that sell electrical and electronic equipment. Take a reading while the device is running; this is the actual amount of current being used at that instant.

When measuring the current drawn by a motor, note that the meter will show about three times more current in the first second that the motor starts than when it is running smoothly.

Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched “off.” These “phantom loads” occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. Most phantom loads will increase the appliance’s energy consumption a few watt-hours. These loads can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance.

Source: EERE

They don’t block the Sunlight and prevent the cold draft from getting in. Replace your summer drapes or curtains to heavy ones will also help. Be sure to let Sunlight in when you leave for work in the morning. Open the blinds and curtains. Sometimes it’s hard if you both work since the time that you leave the house will usually still be dark outside. But if you know it’s going to be a Sunny day, open the blinds. That’s why the clear window insulation films work well since they’re clear. If you use the hairdryer which gets rid of the wrinkles, your guests won’t even notice there’s a plastic film on the window. Try that this winter and see how much you can save. When it comes to winterize, little things do add up.

If your home has single-pane windows, as many U.S. homes do, consider replacing them with new double-pane windows with high-performance glass . In colder climates, select windows that are gas filled with low emissivity (low-e) coatings on the glass to reduce heat loss. In warmer climates, select windows with spectrally selective coatings to reduce heat gain. If you are building a new home, you can offset some of the cost of installing more efficient windows because they allow you to buy smaller, less expensive heating and cooling equipment.

It’s expensive to replace all your window. Many people choose simpler, less costly measures to improve their performance.

Source: EERE

There are many types of heaters available on the market now and you need to know the difference before making a purchase. Do you want the conventional storage water heater, the tankless, the solar water heater, or the tankless coil and indirect water heaters? What about the fuel type and its cost, the size, and energy efficiency? The good news is that most heaters are much more energy efficient than the old models. So even if you just opt for an exact type like your old heater, it’ll still save you money. So do your research before heading out to the store.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

The other problem is when it gets dark early during December and January. By the time I get home, it’s already dark and the house feels cold with the blinds open. If there’s no one else to close the blinds in you house, then leave it closed if you get home late. Plus it’s safer. But on weekends, be sure to open the blinds and enjoy the solar heat. If you spend a lot of time in the office with articifical lighting, then it’s a must to let sunlight in on weekends.

So I guess it’s really a personal choice. The recommended warmup time is 30 seconds, but if you want to, you can do it longer. If you’re more energy concious, then limit it to 30 secods and start driving. It also depends on how much it actually waste by idling. Most commuters know that once you get stuck on the highway, the idling time can be 10 minutes or more. So do you turn off the engine then? The bottom line is, the best way to save gas is by driving less.

Also better yet, if you hand wash your dishes. The problem with hand wash is that you end up using more water. So if your water is not cheap, then run the dishwasher. But never run it if it’s only half full. Have 2 sets of dinnerware if you are constantly running out of dishes.

When it comes to saving energy cost, people always think of big things such as not driving, riding bicycles to work, turn the temperature low in winter and high in summer. Yes, these definitely will make a big difference. But what about start small and make small changes. Remember little things add up quickly. Just like going to grocery shopping. Each item costs you less than $2.00, but a whole cart full of $2.00 items will add to more than $100. So start small and doable.

We will show you some simple saving tips in the next few postings. Today’s tip is: Teach your children to turn off lights when they leave a room. And you will do the same. Turn off any unnecessary lights in the house including monitors and computers, laptops, and TVs. Even radios. Turn them off when you go to bed and leave the room.

(Wattage × Hours Used Per Day ÷ 1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption
So a typical Window fan will cost you:

(200 Watts × 4 hours/day × 120 days/year)  ÷  1000
= 96 kWh × 8.5 cents/kWh
= $8.16/year

Personal Computer and Monitor:

(120 + 150 Watts × 4 hours/day × 365 days/year)  ÷  1000
= 394 kWh × 8.5 cents/kWh
= $33.51/year

As you can see, window fans and computers don’t cost that much. However, if you have a lot of them and they’re on 24/7, it’ll add up. So turning them off is still a good way to start saving energy, for you pocket, and for the environment.

Source: EERE