Hi Folks,
People living in industrialized countries have grown so accustomed to a plentiful supply of relatively cheap energy that we pretty much take it for granted. We seem to only pay attention to our use of energy when we find ourselves having to cut costs due to job loss, additional expenses, retirement, etc. Fortunately we are becoming more aware of the importance of conserving energy. We are learning that our resources are not unlimited and that their use is causing harm not only to our cities but to our world. So, whether you want to conserve energy to save money, help save our environment or both, the following are some areas where you can begin.
I hope you are having a nice day,
Woody
<> Replacing your old refrigerator with a new energy efficient model is a good first step and you will save as much as $80.00 a year. Of course you will save even more if the door seals in your old refrigerator are leaking, causing the refrigerator to run more often to keep cool.
<> One important point to remember is that you will not benefit as much from a new energy efficient refrigerator if you place it near heat radiating appliances such as your dishwasher, oven or stove. This is why interior designers and architects make it a point to have separate areas for cooling and heating appliances. If your frig is old or new you should examine its location to determine if there is a way to better insulate it from heat sources.
<> Maintaining the correct temperature of your refrigerator can save as much as 25% on energy consumption. Many people set the temperature much colder than necessary. It is also a very good idea to remind your family (and yourself) to not hold the refrigerator door open any longer than necessary
<> Allowing your dishes to air dry rather than using the dishwasher’s “heat dry” setting is an easy way to save energy and money.
<> Clothes dyers use a lot of electricity so to save money hang you clothes on a line outside in nice weather. Hanging you clothes on a line may be extra work but watch your electric bill for the reward.
<> Washing your clothes in cold water saves as much as 75% in energy use.
<> More than 50 degrees of heat is lost whenever you open the oven during cooking. Follow the cooking instructions and preheat the oven as required. Open the oven only when needed.
<> While shades and curtains are a good way to help maintain a room’s temperature, adding e-films to the windows will save even more in heating and air-conditioning costs.
<> Double paned windows are excellent energy savers. Storm windows are also good but not as efficient as double paned windows.
<> Your furnace and or air conditioner have to work harder when you have air leaks and drafts around your house. Sealing your home against air leaks and drafts is one of the cheapest ways to conserve energy.
<> Limiting the use of ventilating fans and closing the damper in the fireplace when its not in use helps maintain desired temperature inside your home.
<> Ceiling fans are a good investment. Ceiling fans circulate the air in the room allowing you furnace and air conditioner to run less often. In many parts of the country, ceiling fans are enough to cool a home that is well insulated.
<> Trellises, overhangs, shrubs and especially trees help in cooling your home during the summer months. They also serve as good wind breaks during the winter.
<> Unplug appliances when they are not being used. Keeping appliances plugged in and on standby mode may be convenient but adds a lot to your electric bill.
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Hi Folks,
Most of you reading this blog are seniors so this article on saving energy for kids is not specifically directed to you but there are many things you can do to help teach your grandkids and the neighbors children about saving energy. One is to print this article and pass it along to their parents.
It is very important that we all learn how to conserve energy and it is very important to teach it to our children.
Woody
Teaching Your Kids to be Energy Efficient
Saving energy and saving money should not be your sole responsibility as parents and grandparents. Your kids must also learn to help in keeping the electric bills down. This way, your effort will not be wasted and at the same time, your kids will learn good values while growing up.
Because teaching your kids to be energy efficient requires some effort, here are some easy to follow suggestions you can do:
Education
Teaching your kids the importance of saving energy should be your first goal. Take note that making them understand the value of being energy efficient is more effective than telling them ways to save energy and leaving it at that. Teach them how conserving energy helps the environment. Tell them stories or read educational books about the importance of saving energy.
Lead by example
You know that kids tend to follow what elders do so practice what you preach. You may have listed and posted a litany of things-to-do to conserve energy but if you don’t follow them yourself, you cannot expect your kids to. Do not just tell them to turn the lights off before leaving their room; show them by always turning the lights off when you leave a room in your house. Education and leading by example are a good combination if you want to make good habits stick.
Make it fun
Find educational materials where your kids will learn the value of conserving energy as well as ways to save it. Computer software, educational websites, books and television shows that educate and entertain kids would really make a difference on how well they will respond. This is especially applicable to kids from 5 to 10 years old.
Get your kids involved
Family activities should not be limited to eating, playing and entertainment. Chores can also be a good way to bond with your kids.Wash the car by hand, water the plants, clean the table, wash the dishes, clean the house etc. These are some of the things you can do with your kids while conserving energy.
Teach your kids according to their age
Kids of different ages have different attitudes about things around them. If your 5-year son doesn’t know how to turn off the lights before leaving the room, all you need to do is to talk to him about its importance and showing him that you practice what you teach.
Your 10-year old daughter may require a different approach like showing her your electric bill and explaining to her that it will help if she will change her bad habits. You are teaching your 5-year old good habits while you are teaching and emphasizing your 10-year old good habits and responsibility.
The same thing applies to kids of different ages. The point is, make sure that you teach your kids proper ways to conserve energy using an approach suited to their ages.
Energy saving tips for kids
1-Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
2-Always turn the lights off before leaving the room.
3-Turn the computer off after use.
4-Do not hold the refrigerator door open.
5-Unplug unnecessary appliance.
6-Use natural light if possible.
Saving energy is not so hard if your kids are involved. And just like any family activities you do, energy conservation should be fun, educational and driven by good motivation.
Popularity: 20% [?]
Hi Folks,
Here’s post number three in my “save money by saving energy” articles.
I hope you can use these tips to save money on next months utility bills.
Now, I’m off for a walk at Falls Park and downtown Greenville. One beautiful place to take a stroll.
Woody
Saving on your home energy bill
With the increasing cost of energy, we need to take measures to limit our energy consumption. Saving energy has now become a must.
Heating and Cooling:
Almost half of your energy bill goes for heating and cooling your home. So if you want to maximize your savings here are a few things you can do:
Replace your ac/furnace filters as recommended by the manufacturer.
Keep your baseboard heaters, radiators, and warm-air registers clean. Be sure they are working properly and that they are not blocked by drapes, carpeting, and furniture.
Set the thermostat as high as is comfortable when it is hot and as low as is comfortable when it is cold.
Turn off exhaust fans (kitchen, bath, others) 20 minutes after cooking or bathing. Keeping them on for a longer time affects the temperature of the room.
Lighting and Appliances:
As much as possible, use natural lights – working near a window will prevent you from turning on the light and consuming electricity. Utilize the power of the sun.
Switch off the lights when you leave a room for five minutes or longer.
If you are using fluorescent lights, install reflective backings to maximize the light.
Switch to compact fluorescent lights. These are tremendous energy savers.
Turn off all lights and appliances when not in use. Unplug appliances like television, stereos, computers, VCRs, and battery chargers when they are not in use. These appliances consume energy when they are plugged in.
Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing lighting product and appliances.
Use task lighting instead of lights that cover the entire room. For example, use lamps when reading and not the overhead lights.
Laundry:
Washing your clothes in cold water will reduce your washer’s energy consumption by as much as 90%. Drying your clothes on an outside line drastically cuts your energy bill (and your clothes smell great).
Always do full loads whenever possible. If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water level and wash setting.
Refrigerator:
Maintain the correct temperature for your freezer and refrigerator.
Do not hold the refrigerator or freezer door open. Energy consumption increases dramatically when the compressor has to run just to maintain the temperature of the refrigerator and freezer while the door is open.
Check for leaks and cracks in the door gaskets. Make sure that your refrigerator is completely sealed to maintain the temperature inside.
Insulation:
Heat loss occurs when your house is not properly insulated and sealed. Use sealants and weather-stripping around windows and doors.
Make sure that the openings around pipes, ducts, and electrical conduit are sealed where they enter the house. A properly insulated home saves as much as 10% on electric bills.
Of a typical household’s electric and gas bill, 44% goes for heating and cooling the home; 33% goes for lights and appliances; 14% goes for heating water; and 9% goes for the refrigerator/freezer.
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Tags: energy saving tips
