Lower Energy Bills Part IV Breaking Old Habits To $ave $$$

Electricity is one of those things we don’t even think about until we get one of those bills that break the bank! Then we start to pay attention. We run about for a few days turning off lights and TV’s when we leave a room. But after a while, we seem to forget and go back to our old ways. Well, now is the time to break those old Habits and save some money while doing so good for the planet we love so much! How do we save money while maintaining our cushy lifestyles, you ask? Simple little things that don’t leave you in the dark, but can save your money each day, I respond!

One easy Habit to break is to unplug your gadgets while not using them. Chargers use power even when not being used, so unplug your laptop, iPod, MP3 and cell phone chargers when not in use. Now that doesn’t hurt at all!

TVs, DVRs and such all use power when in the “off” position, so you might want to consider plugging them into a power strip and turning the strip off and on when you need to watch TV. It might take a few moments for the TV to reset, but you will save money over the course of the day. If you are not watching TV for 19 or so hours a day, why do you want to pay for the power?

Another Habit to change is our light bulbs. Of course we all know to replace our usual light bulbs with compact fluorescents(CPL). According to Popular Science, CFLs require about 25% of the power that incandescent light bulbs use for the same amount of light. So cut your power bill without cutting your light. Also, dust your fixtures frequently. And turn them off with the ceiling fans!

Look at your kitchen appliances. Are there counter top items that can be put on a power strip or just unplugged until needed? What about your refrigerator/freezer? Are the coils cleaned frequently? Read your manual for the refrigerator to learn the most energy saving temperatures to use.

Break the Oven Habit: consider using the microwave or toaster oven when baking smaller items. And remember to unplug them too! Just how many clocks do you need in one room? When replacing appliances, look for Energy Star ® to save more money.

Now none of these $$$$ $aving tips will hurt! And you will $ave $$$$. Enlist your family’s help, turn the children into the Energy Spies and reward them for saving energy. Compare your power bill after a month of being conscience of your energy usage and see the difference a few moments of thought can make!

Lower Energy Bills Pt III, Using the Sun!

We have looked at adding Window Film to your larger west & southerly facing windows. Then we got handy and put in a few Trellises to let those wonderful plants bring shade and fresh air to your world! Now we are exploring ways to use the Sun to save money!
--A new subdivision has been built outside of Phoenix by Habitat for Humanity that celebrates the sun! This new project uses panels on the homes to soak up the sun and turn that energy into electricity. The final 18 homes in this new subdivision that are built for the green and solar use are getting rave reviews.
--This is a trend that Salt River Project sustainability engineer Joel Dickinson would like to see take over the state and hopefully the country. Quoted recently in an article by the East Valley Tribune, Phoenix, Dickinson says the average cost for the panels on the homes is about $20,000. However, offsetting this initial cost are local as well as federal credits that can be as much as $8,000 locally & $3,600 on the Federal level. Also, savings in energy costs each month helps with the initial cost.
--One local resident who has been in her solar powered home since 2007, is excited about the cost savings she experiences each month. Colleen Hill stated that she recently had a $16 electric bill and has even gotten a monthly credit at times instead of a bill! Another neighbor had had similar results with his bill being as low as $20 even with 4 children in the home. This is in direct contrast to the $250 and $300 per month they had experienced before going solar.
--So even though we all don’t live in sunny Arizona, we can look for ways to use solar in our own areas. We we may not get our bills down to $16 a month, any savings would be good for our pocketbooks as well as the environment. The use of solar actively or passively can do a lot to alleviate environmental stresses. Check in your local areas about the alternative energies that are available in your neighborhoods.
Green, clean, environmentally friendly sources of power are good for all of us. Go Green! More to come in the next post!

Lower Energy Bills Part II

Last Energy Saving Post, we added Window Film to those large windows to provide protection from UV and Infrared energy as well as saving on our 2009 Federal Tax bill. Good stuff! The few posts will be simple things we can do without much trouble. Now for another easy energy and therefore $$$ saving tip!
Have you considered a Trellis covered with a lush green vine as a bit of shade on your deck, screened porch or a window/door that just gets too much sun? A is an easy solution, keeping the sun at bay while adding green to the landscape.
Should you be handy, you might make a simple trellis from 1x1’s or even some small copper pipes. Explore your local hardware store or Lawn & Garden store for materials to make your own trellis. Advice from your local hardware store owner or Lawn& Garden store owner will make your decision making so much easier. Local experts know which woods or pipes will last the longest in your area. So use your local experts! They know your area, what works best in your climate and are willing to share with you.
Now, if you are not handy or just don’t have the time, you can purchase one at your local Lawn & Garden store or local Hardware store. Pre-made, painted or stained, they come in lots of shapes and sizes.
Be certain to measure your location before you leave home, no matter how you acquire your trellis. Proper size makes a difference in having much needed shade or just a pretty bush!
While at your Lawn & Garden store, hunt for vines that grow well in your area. Living in the South, we have many vines that provide shade almost year round! I particularly like Confederate Jasmine as well as Clemantis. Again, your local Lawn & Garden expert can assist you with your plants.
So plant some green vines around a trellis to provide the shade you desire, add flowers for the hummingbirds to enjoy and leafy filters for cleaner air as they add decoration to your home.
More Energy Saving Tips Next Post!

Lower Summer Energy Bills and Get a Tax Credit

Well, Spring is finally here! The sun will be out heating up things and raising your air conditioning bills in the process. While sunlight is important for our health, physically as well as mentally, it is not too good for our heating bills. But don’t despair, there are a few easy tricks to keep the summer sun at bay on those big windows. This is tip #1.

Palladium windows are beautiful, but south or west facing windows let in heat in the summer. Often putting blinds or shades over these windows defeats the purpose of the windows, the view that you paid so much to see! Adding Window Film can solve many problems. Search out local companies online for the products available in your area. The local installers will know which products work best for your location and can easily do the installation on those high windows. Get informed and keep yourself safe while getting a professional installation.
What to look for in a Window Film:
* Look for films that reflect 97% of the suns infrared light to keep your home cool. The energy coming through the windows is infrared in nature and will not turn to heat unless it bumps into people or furniture. So blocking the infrared light is important in keeping your home cooler. Only a few degrees in temperature reduction can reduce cooling costs by up to 25% according to Solargard.
* Search for films that block 99.9% of the suns UV rays since these cause fading and the risk of skin cancers according to the 3M site.
* Another positive to the window film is holding the glass in place after it has been hit by a tree limb or a burglar trying to enter your home. Check with your local provider to see if their product has this Security Property.
**Finally, a financial incentive to look at using window film this year is the Tax Credit you will receive on the purchase price of the film(labor costs are not part of the credit). The Federal Tax Credit applies to film purchased between Jan 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. Homeowners can receive 30% credit on the costs of qualified window film products , up to a maximum of $1500. The tax credit comes directly off your tax bill! Check with your personal tax advisor for more information before you purchase.

Now you can save energy on cooling, save on replacing furniture because of fading, save of health costs by reducing the risk of skin cancers and save on your 2009 Federal Tax bill!
More Energy Saving tips Coming on the Next Post! Stay tuned!