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Showing posts with the label energy saving tips

What Uses the Most Electricity in Your Home?

If you are like a growing number of people, you want a better understanding of how you can control your energy use. You may want to get a better idea of how much energy you use to save money , you may want to leave a smaller carbon footprint or both. With that in mind, a key question you likely have is what uses the most electricity in a household? Water Heater In the typical household in the United States, the appliance that uses the most energy is the water heater. Industry experts advise that about 14% of electricity in a residence powers the typical water heater. The water heater is something a homeowner has a considerable amount of control over. For example, you can lower the amount of energy used on your water heater by lowering the temperature. In addition, you can save money on the operation of the water heater in your residence by lowering usage. Washer and Dryer Although the hot water heater in a typical residence is the appliance at the head of the pack when it comes to el...

Get Rid of Energy Vampires! Simple Ways to Reduce Your Electric Bill

If you’re looking to lower your electric bill, consider using some  electricity saving tips  that can not only reduce your monthly bill but help you save money year-round. By getting rid of energy “vampires,” just about anyone can cut a large chunk off their energy expenses. Lowering electricity usage adds up over time and many consumers are surprised at how much they save just by unplugging a few items, using power strips, and paying attention to which appliances are energy vampires. What is “Vampire” Energy? So-called vampire appliances get their name because they constantly drain energy from your grid, a practice that ends up costing you money even when you’re not using things like computers, cell phones, televisions, and similar vampire appliances. The key characteristic of vampire appliances is that they constantly drain power from your outlets and run up your electric bill. Some vampireappliancesonly use a tiny amount of electricity per hour, but they’re like leaky fauce...

7 Key Factors That Impact Electricity Prices

You don't have to be an expert to know that electricity prices sometimes go up and sometimes go down. Electrical rates in Texas are expected to rise this year due to several factors, some obvious and some not so obvious. To understand what's going on with recent energy costs, it helps to look at an electricity price comparison to see how rates have changed over previous months and the year at large. But an even better way to get insight into the situation is to examine the 7 key factors that have an effect on the overall price of consumer electricity. What Causes Energy Prices to Fluctuate? Seasons: It's obvious—but people tend to use more energy during the coldest months of the year Weather Patterns: Extreme weather patterns usually cause at least a temporary spike in energy prices Geographic Location: Some places are warmer than others, which is why people who live in the coldest parts of the nation tend to pay a lot more for ...

Biggest Energy Wasting Habits You Need to Avoid

Let’s face it. We’re all guilty of at least a few energy-wasting habits and could definitely do more to promote energy saving at home and at work. If you choose the right electricity plan, that’s a good start. But even more important is to cut out as many of those energy-wasting habits at home as you possibly can. The Many Ways to Be Smart About Energy Use Whether you live in a tiny apartment or a large house, here are some of the most effective, simple ways to say goodbye to energy-wasting habits at home: Not using a programmable thermostat:  For about 10 bucks, you can purchase a programmable thermostat and install it in your home. These amazing little devices can quickly reduce your daily energy consumption. All you have to do is program them with a high and low temperature and forget about it. Putting your water-heater thermostat over 120 degrees:  Here’s a tip that some people haven’t even thought about but only takes a minute. Check to make sure your water heater is set ...

Saving Energy by Turning Off Lights: Facts & Benefits

When you get in the habit of turning off the lights in your home, whenever they are not needed, you can save energy as well as money.  You can determine just how much energy you conserve for each hour that a light bulb is burning. First, look for the wattage rating that is printed at the top of the bulb. If you are using a 75-watt bulb and switch it off for an hour, you will save 0.75 kilowatt-hours of energy use. By viewing your last electric bill, you can locate the rate that you are charged per kilowatt-hour and multiply the cost by the number of kilowatt-hours. This figure can vary according to where you live and, sometimes, the time of day or season of the year to which your electric bill refers. If your electric usage charge rate is equals to 20 cents per kilowatt-hour, you are enjoying a cost-savings of 1.2 cents for each hour that one bulb is not in use. You will no longer need to ask, “How much energy does turn off lights save”? Basic Ways to Practice and Encoura...