A vacation is a great way to get away from it all. Did you know that your appliances and electronic devices can use a little time off as well? With a few simple adjustments before you leave, you'll come home to a lower energy bill.
By Peter Niagu, Energy Advisor
The front door of your home has a lot of meaning. It sets the stage for the home and provides the first impression for your guests. Beyond curb appeal, the front door is a good place to look for energy savings.
Owners of two-story homes face the same problem every summer: The upstairs is hotter than the first floor. The choice seems to be to sweat it out or lower the thermostat to make up the difference. Unfortunately, doing nothing can lead to a lot of hot, sleepless nights, while adjusting the thermostat can give you a chill when you receive your summer energy bills. There has to be a better way.
Ceiling fans are more than decorative fixtures that require an occasional dusting; they can provide a whole new spin on energy savings. If used correctly, ceiling fans can help reduce your cooling and heating costs, while making you feel more comfortable.
Your cooling system provides welcome relief from the dog days of summer, but only if it's working properly. Take action now to find out if the time is right to upgrade to a new, energy-efficient air conditioner or heat pump. Your energy budget, your family and your furry friends will appreciate it.
Whether you’re renovating your current home or building a new one, it pays to consider energy use and conservation in your plans. Energy efficiency is a major factor in home design, and will continue to be, say experts.
When looking at electric bills, many people focus on the total dollar amount of the bill. While you don’t have control over the cost of the energy, you can control how much energy you use so when you’re trying to manage your energy costs, it pays off to change your focus to energy use.
You can reduce your bills, without spending a lot of money, by changing your behavior. Here are some tips for getting started:
You have a busy schedule and many line items on your budget, so energy use may not be top of mind. However, energy is a significant cost of doing business for many companies. If fact, even businesses in smaller facilities (those with less than 5,000 square feet) spend, on average, nearly $5,000 a year on energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Companies housed in larger facilities or those with more energy-intensive processes often spend a lot more.
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Beat the peak (and save money)
If you look around your home, you likely have more devices and equipment that require electricity than ever before. Our connected lives are increasingly dependent on more electricity to function.