You may already know where some air leakage occurs in your home, such as an under-the-door draft, but you’ll need to find the less obvious gaps to properly air seal your home. For a thorough and accurate measurement of air leakage in your home, hire a qualified technician to conduct an energy audit, particularly a [...]
Posts Tagged ‘energy savers’
Air Sealing
Air leakage, or infiltration, occurs when outside air enters a house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. Properly air sealing such cracks and openings in your home can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs, improve building durability, and create a healthier indoor environment. It is unwise to rely on air leakage for ventilation because it can’t [...]
How to Read Residential Electric Meters
he basic unit of measure of electric power is the watt. One thousand watts are called a kilowatt. If you use one thousand watts of power in one hour you have used a kilowatt-hour (kWh). Your electric utility bills you by the kWh. The standard electric power meter is a clock-like device driven by the [...]
Buying Clean Electricity
The electricity industry is changing. At least 50% of customers have the option to purchase renewable electricity directly from their power supplier, and all customers have the option of purchasing renewable energy certificates. Such power is sometimes referred to as “green power” or “clean power.” In most states, you can buy clean power through one [...]
Reducing Your Electricity Use
There are many ways you can reduce electricity use in your home and help reduce your energy bills. Also, if you’re interested in using a small renewable energy system to make your own electricity, reducing your electricity loads will help make your system more cost effective. You can reduce electricity use in your home by [...]
When to Turn Off Personal Computers
If you’re wondering when you should turn off your personal computer for energy savings, here are some general guidelines to help you make that decision. Though there is a small surge in energy when a computer starts up, this small amount of energy is still less than the energy used when a computer is running [...]
Shopping for Energy-Efficient Appliances and Home Electronics
When it comes to shopping for and comparing energy-efficient appliances and home electronics, look for the EnergyGuide and ENERGY STAR® labels. EnergyGuide Label The Federal Trade Commission requires EnergyGuide labels on most home appliances (except for stove ranges and ovens), but not home electronics, such as computers, televisions, and home audio equipment. EnergyGuide labels provide [...]
Garage Energy Savers
Use the octane level your car’s manufacturer recommends. Beware of “gas saving” gadgets that claim to boost mileage. Consider Alternative Fuel Vehicles if you’re in the market for a new car. Drive more efficiently—observe the posted speed limit and avoid quick starts and stops. Maintain your car, truck, or motorcycle—keep it tuned, check your tires, [...]
Drive More Efficiently
Smart drivers know that speeding can cost you at the pump. To make the most of your gas dollar: Stay within posted speed limits. Gas mileage decreases at speeds above 60 miles per hour. Improve your mileage up to 5% by avoiding quick starts and stops. Anticipate traffic conditions and drive gently. Avoid unnecessary idling. [...]
Trash Room Energy Savers
Participate in your community’s recycling program. Don’t throw something that can be recycled into the trash. Look for the recycling symbol. Buy products that use recycled components or that can be recycled whenever you can. Start a compost pile. To help your community save the time and money it spends separating the items it recycles [...]