how to save energy – Stagetecture

Start Monitoring the Amount of Electricity You Use at Home

Ronique — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:41:17 +0000

Guest Blogger #853, Entry #2038, January 22, 2012

Unless you are someone who can afford to have a house that runs solely on solar energy (and if so, that is absolutely awesome), there is simply no way around the fact that you are going to have to rely on electricity.Yet, just because we are dependent on it, that doesn’t mean that when it comes to the amount of energy (and money) that we spend is totally out of our control. Indeed, there are things that we all can do in order to properly monitor the amount of electricity that we use at home.

How do you save energy in your kitchen?

Image via: Mosaic Architects – Jim Bartsch

Monitor how much electricity you use with these tips from my guest blogger. From your appliances to electronics, create a greener lifestyle.

Here are just a few ideas that you can apply:

Get to know your appliances and electronics.

Not all appliances are created equal when it comes to the amount of electricity that they use. For instance, a ceiling fan tends to need far less electricity than a central air and heating unit does. Microwaves only require power when they are on (which isn’t all day) and washing machines need more energy when they require hot water. Then there’s the refrigerator. When the compressor is on, it uses a significant amount of electricity, but when it’s off, it needs next to nothing. So, one way that you can monitor your electricity is to pay attention to what appliances you use and how you use them. If there is a month where you notice that your bill is significantly higher than usual, consider “switching it up” in your house by using your appliances differently. For instance, try washing your clothes in cold water and actually unplugging certain items when you’re not actually using them.

Read the labels.

A lot of us don’t give much thought to the fact that basically anything that has a plug attached to it has a little piece of paper on it as well. A part of the purpose is to provide us with any warnings that we may need to know (such as keeping plugs out of water), but it’s also to inform us about how many volts each item uses. Here in the states, the range is (currently) between 100-120 volts. However, the thing to keep in mind is that the number on the tag reflects the maximum amount. For instance, if your computer says “120 volts”, it’s only using a fraction of that. The bottom line here is that if you know how much each item uses, you can go online and research creative ways to get more out of your plugged-in items for less. While we’re on the subject of reading things, it’s also a good idea to get a programmable thermostat as well. It can assist you in presetting the temperature in your home, which is really helpful when you’re reading your electricity bill and making annual comparisons, especially in the peak of summer and winter.

How are you measuring electricity in your home?

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Get creative.

Say that your heating unit goes out towards the end of winter and a company like Lloyds Heating Service tells you that you have to replace it. That could cost you thousands of dollars and as you’ve probably already experienced, do a number on your energy bill. Until you can save up some money, get some space heaters; they use less electricity. Some other tricks to try are replacing your light bulbs with fluorescent ones, letting your clothes air dry, turning off the lights in the rooms that you are not in and setting your computer to “standby” when you’re not using it. If you apply these tips for a solid month, you should notice a significant dip in your electricity bill, for sure. Good luck!

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Guest Blogger: How to Save Electricity in Your Kitchen

Ronique — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:27:54 +0000

Guest Blogger #693, Entry #1635, September 24, 2012

Kitchens can be one of the largest users and abusers of home energy; with all those electric appliances such as toasters, mixers, microwaves, stoves, fridges, and cabinet lighting – the kitchen can drastically increase your electricity bill. Here are some great, easy ways to use less energy in your kitchen:

How do you save energy in your kitchen?

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Unplug:

One of the easiest ways to use less electricity in your kitchen is to simply unplug all of your appliances when they are not being used. Most people do not realize that when appliances are plugged in, they are constantly sucking power – even if they are not currently being used! By unplugging all your small appliances, your energy savings will add up. While you are at it, go ahead and do this for your televisions, computers, and other home electronics. Appliances such as electric radiators and other heating sources should be unplugged when not in use. Power saver bars can also be quite handy; you can usually plug in up to 5 outlets into one bar, and some even have timers which will shut off the power source via a timer switch.

Gas appliances:

If your home has access to gas energy, then use it! Gas is less expensive than electricity and there are so many modern gas appliances on the market that will look fabulous in your kitchen. Plus there is nothing easier than a conventional gas oven that will cook all your baked goods to perfection at half the energy cost!

Save energy in your kitchen with these helpful tips

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Energy star appliances:

Are you hanging on to all those old appliances because you don’t want to shell out the money for brand new ones? Well, you may actually be costing yourself more in the long run with these old, inefficient appliances. Most modern kitchen stoves, fridges, and even toasters, now come with five star energy ratings – making them the most efficient appliances on the market. There are also government rebate programs where you can usually get approximately a $40 rebate back for each energy efficient appliance that you buy.

Overall, your kitchen does not have to be a power-draining room in your home. Shop around your local hardware stores and look at all the energy-efficient models that are currently on the market. Most of these appliances will have a showroom display that shows the amount of energy you could be saving – you will be surprised at the money you could save as well!

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

3 Ways your Smartphone Can Save Energy At Home

John Chavez — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:58:49 +0000

Entry #1283, June 14, 2012

The Smartphone isn’t called smart for nothing. It is not just for communication or for playing your favorite music, it now how practical purposes for your everyday life. Smartphones have evolved in so many ways that consumers can keep track of their energy use, lights, fuel costs and more for their home. It also opens opportunities for programmers to make applications that will benefit the users.

Your smartphone can help you control heating and air from your phone.

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There are several ways to save energy at home using your Smartphone. Here are some of the things you can save using your Smartphone:

Enhanced fuel efficiency.

Did you know that you can save fuel consumption by being up-to-date with how you drive? Rapid acceleration, sudden breaking and over speeding can increase your fuel consumption to 33 percent. This figure is definitely a lot of money to just go to waste without you knowing it. One example of Smartphone application that can help you with this is the greenMeter. This application will store data on your driving speed and changes in acceleration. The greenMeter app will indicate whether you are driving efficiently or not.

Control the thermostat of your cooling and heating appliances.

Adjusting your thermostat to its proper setting will certainly save your energy bill. This will help you utilize the right amount of workloads that your appliances perform. Some popular apps for controlling your temperature are Nest and Ecobee thermostat controller. It is easy to install and use. You can adjust the temperature of your home with your Smartphone like a remote control.

The Nest thermostat – smart technology that ‘knows’ your lifestyle

Conserve and monitor energy consumption

Energy monitoring in real-time to conserve electricity. Many devices on the market can help your home and be monitored on your smartphone.

The Energy UFO application for iPad provides visual feedback of electricity consumption and its cost as determined by information received from our family of Wi-Fi enabled products, such as the UFO Power Center, a four outlet smart power-strip. The UFO Power Center, as shown in the application is currently available from www.energyufo.com.

Consider using your smart phone to start helping you at home. Whether it is enhanced fuel efficiency, controlling your thermostat and more. You will love the simplicity and convenience , and your wallet will enjoy the energy savings!

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

How to Choose Energy Saving Window Treatments

Ronique — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:30:46 +0000

Guest Blogger #541, Entry #1220, May 25, 2012

There are some things that we don’t think about updating or replacing nearly as much as we should. Take our windows, for example. Unless we want to renovate a room in our home, most of us don’t even give it a second thought. Maybe we would if we knew how much money we could save by opting for energy saving window treatments.

For instance, did you know that by simply replacing one single-pane window with an energy-efficient one, you can save as much as $150 per year? Plus, by installing energy-efficient windows, doors or skylights, you can also earn a tax deduction (within the same year of the installment) of up to 10% of the total cost of any particular product.

Tips for window treatments for your home

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These two reasons alone should serve as enough motivation to do a bit of quick research on the variety of energy-saving window treatments that are available.

Here are five of them.

Awnings.

Did you know that window awnings can reduce solar heat (depending upon where you live) by as much as 65-77%? Plus, they come in a lot more variety to shade your windows than they once did. (Almost) gone are the days of the metal and canvas kinds that need to be replaced every 5-7 years. Now you can get ones made from synthetic fibers that are both water-repellent and resistant to mold and fading. Awnings-USA.com and SunSetterAwnings.com are two websites that can provide you with some good estimates.

Storm panels.

One of the best things that you can do for both you and your windows during the winter months is to install some storm panels. Matter of fact, by adding one to a single-pane window, you can the loss of winter heat by as much as 50%. For exterior panels, you can either purchase the single or combination kind. For interiors, you can choose from flexible or rigid plastic. Do keep in mind that exterior panels need a custom fit, while interior ones do not. For more info on these, go to your local hardware store.

Awnings are decorative and can deflect the sun

Image via: Houzz

Drapes.

Drapes are the “oldie but goodie” window treatment solution. Based on the kind of fabric and color, when closed, drapes can save as much as 10-30% on energy costs. To get the maximum results, hang them close to the windows, allow them to fall on the windowsill or door, and use magnetic tape to attach the sides to the walls. By following these three tips, you can reduce heat loss by up to an amazing 25%.

Blinds.

If you’re someone who wants to cool your home down, blinds (whether interior or exterior) are a great way to go. Although they aren’t the best solution when it comes to trapping in winter heat, they are pretty effective at keeping your home at a comfortable temperature during the summer months. So much in fact that there are reports that indicate that reflective blinds can reduce summer heat gain within the home by as much as 45%. Roller window blinds are also a wise choice for the same reason. SelectBlinds.com, HunterDouglas.com and even Wal-Mart and JC Penny have a wide selection of blinds that are both cost-effective and energy-efficient.

Choose window treatments that will help save your energy bill

Image via: Apartment Therapy

Mesh window screens.

Something that is catching more and more people’s attention are window mesh screens. If you’re not familiar with them, they are basically screens that are placed on the exterior part of a frame while covering the entire window for the purpose of reducing heat gain in the summer months. They’re relatively inexpensive on Amazon.com or the Home Depot. DIY.com even has a feature that shows you how to make them by hand. They’re a favorite, especially, in baby rooms because they can be easily mounted and removed, which is far less taxing than any of the other window treatments mentioned. So, if you’re short on cash, this is one that you definitely have no excuse for not using. Test them out. Your electricity bill will show just how much this little change made.

For more cleaning & maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.

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How To Effectively Save Energy And Water In Your Kitchen

John Chavez — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:57:39 +0000

Entry #1194, May 20, 2012

One of the areas at home that utilizes the bigger amount of energy and water consumption is our kitchen. It is where you prepare the food, wash dishes and other related activities. These household tasks require electrical appliances and water supply for completion.

The household chores in your kitchen are necessary in everyday routine. Since you cannot do away with energy and water consumption, the best thing you can do is to maximize the utilization of energy and water in order to save money for bills.

Tips to help you save energy and money in your kitchen

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Here are helpful tips to save energy and water in your kitchen:

Invest in energy efficient appliances/fixtures

There are many energy efficient appliances on the market for your kitchen and plumbing fixtures for your bathroom and kitchen. Before shopping do your homework to know what to look for. Low flow faucets and shower heads, refrigerators that use less energy, and dishwashers that use less water are all helpful ways to save you money and the Earth’s resources.

Appliances and plumbing checked

Make sure that all electrical circuitry and water valve connections are in good working condition.

If you do not have the tools and equipment to do this, hire experts to check your energy and water connection. This will provide an assessment in your electrical connections whether they are still functional or not. This will also ensure electrical safety at home. For water connections, unattended leaks will surely add a substantial amount of money deflected in your bill.

Post a reminder

Energy and water conservation will not be successful without the cooperation of all members at home. Post reminders near the faucet, electrical outlet and other sources of energy and water. You can stick on laminated reminders stating energy and water consumption. For instance, you may have “Unplug After Use” or “Use Glass When Brushing Your Teeth”.

Talk with your family about conserving resources

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Get your family involved

Discuss energy and water conservation with all members in the family.

You may have this discussion during meal time or in family bonding. Feel free to inform them about the current energy and water consumption and its corresponding amount. Ensure that all members of the family express their thoughts about energy and water conservation.

Bear in mind that energy and water conservation is not only for saving money but for the sake of the environment.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.