In the 21st century, the average energy consumption and related prices not only continues to rise, but are also viewed as a mundane occurrence. Something that is part of our modern life, and is accepted as a necessary evil. It is a very bad situation, as if the trend continues, prices could really go through the roof as it did last year with gas prices. Taxes and new regulations will also cause prices to go up.
Faced with this situation, a simple solution exist: we must cut back and save energy. Is it hard to do? Not in the least, it is however important to develop new habits
How to save energy on Lights:
How to save about 68% on your usual average bill!
First, you can turn out the lights when you leave a room. It sound commonplace, but it is absolutely not.
Second, avoid halogen lights. A 500 watts halogen light consumes the equivalent energy of 23 incandescent bulbs.
Third, try to replace your incandescent bulbs with energy efficient lights. They are a little more expensive to buy, but allow you to save 53 kilowatt/hour every year and last about 4 times as long.
Computers, TVs, and other electronics
People have two misconceptions, first they believe that you cannot save on these devices, and second that they consume almost nothing. These two notions are both false. You can save simply by turning them off instead of keeping them on stand-by. To give you an idea, a VCR or DVD player in stand-by mode 97% of the time, uses on the average 120kwh, while the same device turned off when not in use consumes 20 kwh. It is true that some appliances do not have a setting other than stand-by, you can remedy this by plugging it into a power strip which can be turned off.
Finally, you should know that another myth that some people want to cling to, is indeed a fallacy, appliance do not wear quicker, simply because you turn them off.
How to save energy on transportation
Here is another area where you can affect some real savings.
First, as much and as often as possible, use public transportation if available.
Second, avoid using the car or the motorcycle for short distances, a third of a mile (500 meters) is only a 6 minutes walk. Consider that you vehicle uses 50% more gas during the first half mile and 25% more during the second half of a mile.
Third, practice good maintenance on your engine, because a poorly tuned and maintained vehicle uses more gas. This will also make it last longer.
Fourth, do not speed, excessive speed increases your consumption by about 40%.
How to save energy on heating
In this rubric there are two things to consider doing. First do not open windows without knowing the actual temperature. It is important to set the temperature accurately. Second, if you are going away for a few days, lower or even turn off (depending on seasons and locations) the heating system.
How to save energy on cooling
Refrigerators and freezers represent 35% of your electricity bills. So to prevent you from suffering cardiac arrest every time you open your bill follow the advice given here.
First, choose the location of your appliances carefully. Place them as far as possible from an appliance producing heat (ovens, microwaves ect…) If you have a ventilated garage, it is an ideal place for a fridge or a freezer.
Second, follow the manufacturer advice to set the temperature (around 40 degrees Fahrenheit for a refrigerator, and around 0 degree Fahrenheit for a freezer.
Third, always close the refrigerator door. It may not seem like much, but it can be a great saving that can be accomplished easily.
Fourth, do not store food that is still hot in the refrigerator, and cover the food that you put in, to prevent frost from forming on the back of your appliance.
How to save energy on laundry and dishwashing
When it comes to washing machines and dishwashers once more great savings can be realized.
First, do not use them half empty. Wait until you have a full load before running the appliance. If your appliance is programmable, follow the manufacturer directions to maximize savings.
Second, if you have any possibility to dry your laundry in open air do so. Dryers are energy hogs, therefore should be avoided if at all possible. The same goes for the dishwasher, do not over use pre-wash and drying settings that can be totally skipped as they only waste a lot of energy. You can rinse your dishes manually before putting them in the dishwasher and they do not need heat to dry.
Third, if you can, or if you need to replace your appliances, be sure to choose energy efficient ones.
How to save energy on water
You can even save money on your water bills.
To begin with, check out all the possible drips that you might find in you home. Small, unobtrusive water drips can amount for 20% of your consumption. Then consider little investments that can generate great savings. Changing the water tank on your toilets for water saving ones could save you almost 2 gallons with every flush. Remember also that dishwashers and washing machines that save electricity manage water consumption economically.
Faced with this situation, a simple solution exist: we must cut back and save energy. Is it hard to do? Not in the least, it is however important to develop new habits
How to save energy on Lights:
How to save about 68% on your usual average bill!
First, you can turn out the lights when you leave a room. It sound commonplace, but it is absolutely not.
Second, avoid halogen lights. A 500 watts halogen light consumes the equivalent energy of 23 incandescent bulbs.
Third, try to replace your incandescent bulbs with energy efficient lights. They are a little more expensive to buy, but allow you to save 53 kilowatt/hour every year and last about 4 times as long.
Computers, TVs, and other electronics
People have two misconceptions, first they believe that you cannot save on these devices, and second that they consume almost nothing. These two notions are both false. You can save simply by turning them off instead of keeping them on stand-by. To give you an idea, a VCR or DVD player in stand-by mode 97% of the time, uses on the average 120kwh, while the same device turned off when not in use consumes 20 kwh. It is true that some appliances do not have a setting other than stand-by, you can remedy this by plugging it into a power strip which can be turned off.
Finally, you should know that another myth that some people want to cling to, is indeed a fallacy, appliance do not wear quicker, simply because you turn them off.
How to save energy on transportation
Here is another area where you can affect some real savings.
First, as much and as often as possible, use public transportation if available.
Second, avoid using the car or the motorcycle for short distances, a third of a mile (500 meters) is only a 6 minutes walk. Consider that you vehicle uses 50% more gas during the first half mile and 25% more during the second half of a mile.
Third, practice good maintenance on your engine, because a poorly tuned and maintained vehicle uses more gas. This will also make it last longer.
Fourth, do not speed, excessive speed increases your consumption by about 40%.
How to save energy on heating
In this rubric there are two things to consider doing. First do not open windows without knowing the actual temperature. It is important to set the temperature accurately. Second, if you are going away for a few days, lower or even turn off (depending on seasons and locations) the heating system.
How to save energy on cooling
Refrigerators and freezers represent 35% of your electricity bills. So to prevent you from suffering cardiac arrest every time you open your bill follow the advice given here.
First, choose the location of your appliances carefully. Place them as far as possible from an appliance producing heat (ovens, microwaves ect…) If you have a ventilated garage, it is an ideal place for a fridge or a freezer.
Second, follow the manufacturer advice to set the temperature (around 40 degrees Fahrenheit for a refrigerator, and around 0 degree Fahrenheit for a freezer.
Third, always close the refrigerator door. It may not seem like much, but it can be a great saving that can be accomplished easily.
Fourth, do not store food that is still hot in the refrigerator, and cover the food that you put in, to prevent frost from forming on the back of your appliance.
How to save energy on laundry and dishwashing
When it comes to washing machines and dishwashers once more great savings can be realized.
First, do not use them half empty. Wait until you have a full load before running the appliance. If your appliance is programmable, follow the manufacturer directions to maximize savings.
Second, if you have any possibility to dry your laundry in open air do so. Dryers are energy hogs, therefore should be avoided if at all possible. The same goes for the dishwasher, do not over use pre-wash and drying settings that can be totally skipped as they only waste a lot of energy. You can rinse your dishes manually before putting them in the dishwasher and they do not need heat to dry.
Third, if you can, or if you need to replace your appliances, be sure to choose energy efficient ones.
How to save energy on water
You can even save money on your water bills.
To begin with, check out all the possible drips that you might find in you home. Small, unobtrusive water drips can amount for 20% of your consumption. Then consider little investments that can generate great savings. Changing the water tank on your toilets for water saving ones could save you almost 2 gallons with every flush. Remember also that dishwashers and washing machines that save electricity manage water consumption economically.
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