When it comes to saving money on your power bill, people from Maine to California know the big ones: proper insulation, water conservation and turning down the thermostat can lead to major long term energy savings, but there are a whole slew of little known things you can do around the house that can lead to significant savings, as well. Let’s take a look at a few of these secrets that can help you save money on electricity.
Energy scientists are continuing their efforts in developing a variety of alloys, substances and elements that can meet the world’s growing demands for energy, while providing clean and green capabilities. Lithium Hydrogen is one of the most new discovered and one of the most promising to provide a boost to the alternative energy field.
1 CommentThere are federal tax incentives of 30% or up to $1,500 on six categories of energy saving devices through December 31, 2010. The benefits are for existing, principal residences only, with new construction and rentals ineligible. Applicable technologies include:
No CommentsGlaciergate – In 2007 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) claimed that glaciers in the Himalayas would disappear by 2035. It turns out that claim was pure speculation and not based on research that has been been formally published or subjected to peer review.
No CommentsResidential solar energy is straightforward, and anyone can use it to supplement or replace services with their local utility company. All you need is a set of solar panels or modules that covert sunlight into electric current. You can then use the electricity generated to operate appliances and other devices in your home. Some solar panels convert sunlight into heat, which you can use instead of gas, oil or electricity. With the right information, you can be on your way to saving a lot of money on electricity, just by using the power of the sun.
No CommentsTwo primary motivations drive homeowners to install a residential solar energy system: environmental concern and economic benefit.
No CommentsThe short answer is, “Yes, over time, a home solar system will pay for itself.” There is, however, a more complicated long answer. Every home system will be unique in terms of equipment and location. Consequently, homeowners will have to use their personalized data to answer the payback question.
1 CommentThe Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Energy is a major source of information for homeowners considering the installation of a home solar power system.
No CommentsWith the proper research and possessing basic construction and wiring skills, a knowledgeable do-it-yourself homeowner can build and install a home solar power system.
2 CommentsHomeowners interested in installing a home solar array will find no shortage of companies to perform the work. A good place to start is the member directory at the Solar Energy Industries Association website.
The site is also an excellent source of information on residential solar technology and products as well as federal and state information relative to regulations and incentives.
No CommentsThe potential savings in an efficiently set up home office are huge. Computers left on all the time can use thousands of kWh/year. Additional devices such as printers add to this number. Let’s talk about some different energy saving products that can help identify and combat the wasteful use of electricity in your home office.
No CommentsEach year almost 400 loads of laundry are done in the average American household. What most people don’t realize is that they can cut their electricity bill by as much as a third and their water costs by almost half just by switching to energy efficient washers. If your washer is more than 10 years old, replacing it with an energy efficient washer could save you more than $135 on your utility bill each year and enough water to fill a swimming pool. The combined savings in energy and water each year is enough to pay for a matching energy efficient dryer.
No CommentsIf you are looking for a way to significantly lower your utility bill you can look no further than your hot water heater.
No CommentsThere are some simple energy saving ideas that you can use that cost nothing to implement, but can lead to massive savings.
1 CommentWith the gloomy economy, and relatively high price of electric service, many homeowners that didn’t concern themselves with their energy costs are now very interested in lowering their electric bill. However, it’s not always obvious where to get started first.
No CommentsIn the middle of the coldest winter in years, many households focus on energy savings related to reducing their gigantic home heating bills.
No CommentsWell that is just what those who have installed residential wind turbines on their own homes are doing. Now they are enjoying the freedom to rely less on the more traditional and waste producing energy methods that come from electric companies that rely on oil, coal, or natural gas.
3 CommentsResidential wind power not only helps homeowners adopt renewable energy habits and do their part in reducing the release of harmful greenhouse gases, but they also reap the benefits of saving money on their electrical bills. Residential wind turbines can save homeowners up to 90 percent off of their standard electrical bills, and when this is added to the fact that they can take a step towards removing their homes from the reliance upon electrical companies that supply energy through oil and coal methods this is all the better.
No CommentsSome manufacturers will tell you that your residential wind turbine will pay for itself in six years. Frankly, that’s probably not realistic. In real-world application, you will not completely recoup your investment for 15 to 20 years.
2 CommentsOne of the best resources for homeowners interested in financial benefits to help defray the expense of their residential wind power system is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. It provides information on state, local, utility company, and federal incentives for the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
1 CommentMaintenance of a residential wind turbine falls into two categories: preserving the efficiency of the system and ensuring its safe operation. Fortunately, modern turbines have few moving parts and are designed to operate for up to 120,000 hours or roughly 15 years. The estimated cost of annual repairs and maintenance is about 2.5 to 2 percent of the original cost of the system, or about 0.01 cents per kilowatt hour.
No CommentsCan you install your residential wind turbine yourself? Well, let’s be honest. There’s very little determined human beings can’t do when they set their minds to it. The real questions are:
1 CommentYou’ll want to find a company with a good reputation in close enough proximity to your home to be on hand for maintenance and repair calls. If other people in your neighborhood or community are using residential wind power systems, ask where the units were purchased and how they were installed.
No CommentsCompact fluorescent bulbs burn, on average, ten times longer than incandescent bulbs. Those CFLs with an Energy Star rating use 75% less energy, saving roughly $30 over their operating life. The packaging provides a comparison in wattage to a traditional bulb, but CFLs take several minutes to warm up and produce a colder light than the warm, yellowish cast of incandescent bulbs. Early users objected to the quality of CFL illumination, leading manufacturers to develop second-generation products that more closely reproduce traditional lighting tones.
1 CommentWith the growing concern over energy-consumption it’s no wonder that so many people are turning to low energy light bulbs to light their homes.
No CommentsDimmable compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are a good option if you want to save money on electricity. CFLs use a fraction of the electricity of standard incandescent bulbs, leading to lower energy bills.
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