Going Green At Home…
The phrase “go green” has been around for several years as awareness has increased about
the impact our energy usage has on the environment. With a growing number of electronic and electrical devices in the average home it has become increasingly important for many people to figure out ways to use less energy and pay more attention to how their electricity usage affects the earth’s resources. So what are some ways that you can live a greener life in the coming new year?
Appliance Upgrades That Can Reduce Energy Waste and Save You Money
Frankly, the best way to ensure your household is doing its part is to use less electricity. With more and more devices in your home that rely on electricity usage, the key is in improving the efficiency of these devices and paying attention to reducing energy waste. Luckily, there is a growing market of products to help you do just this.
Energy Star rated appliances are a great investment if you can afford them. These appliances are engineered to run using less electricity than earlier models. For example, it’s estimated that a refrigerator from the early to mid 1990s can cost up to 50% more (and use 50% more electricity) to run than one from the early 2000s. And, an even newer model is even 40% more efficient than that early 2000s model! As technology has advanced, these newer appliances come with features that make it possible to use less power more efficiently and to run on less electricity overall.
The same is true for standalone freezers, air conditioners and washers and dryers. So, if your appliances fall into this category and you can afford to upgrade them, you’re guaranteed to reduce energy bills and will be using less electric overall, thus contributing to a more energy-efficient lifestyle.
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“Phantom” Loads and Their Effect on Your Electric Bill
Believe it or not, many electronic devices in your home are drawing power even when they appear to be completely off or are in “standby” or “power save” mode. This is referred to as a “phantom” load. Think about all the little blinking lights you can see on gaming devices, computers, DVD players, etc. even when they’re not in use. It may not seem like a big deal but it does take electricity to power these displays—even the clock on your coffee maker or microwave. While you may not be able to unplug every single appliance in your home when it’s not directly in use—like the coffee maker which is likely programmed to start brewing on a timer in the morning—there are many which can be totally disconnected to avoid them drawing power when you aren’t using them, as this power is completely wasted.
One way to eliminate this waste is by plugging in several devices to a power strip and then unplugging the power strip so they are all disconnected at once. This makes it a bit more convenient than tracing every single wire behind your TV and trying to determine which is safe to unplug and which isn’t. Even better is to purchase a “smart” power strip, which actually detects which appliances are continuing to draw power despite not being in use and will individually cut the power to only that device. Some are even fancy enough that you can control them from your smart phone in case you forget to unplug one.
Handling Inefficiency at the Source
Another major impact you can have to lower electric bills is to invest in a power factor correction device. This is a special device installed by an electrician (or it can be self-installed by someone knowledgeable about electricity and wiring) that actually attaches to the main electrical panel in your home, or at a major appliance in your home that draws a lot of power. For example, if you have an early 90s refrigerator you cannot afford to replace, a power factor corrector could be installed at that load. What it does is eliminate wasted electricity by correcting the power factor of these appliances.
Power factor is, in its simplest explanation, a word that refers to how efficiently a motor uses the electricity fed to it by the electrical wiring in your home. When the electric utility transmits electric current to your home, a certain amount of it is lost through heat and a certain amount is taken in by these appliances but not necessarily used. While you aren’t charged for losses that occur from the power company’s wires to your home’s electric meter, if these losses are occurring within your home, from the meter to the appliances (and the way many houses are wired, these losses do occur) you are being charged unnecessarily for them.
The Electric Saver 1200 is an energy saving device that comes with a 365-day money back guarantee and top ratings from consumers. Average savings of between 10% and up to 25% on electric bills have been reported, with the difference in savings determined by how much loss was there to be corrected in the first place. At under $200, it’s an investment in your home that pays for itself in a very short time. You can learn more about this device, including how to buy and have one installed in your home by visiting www.electricsaver1200.com.
Summary
There are a number of ways you can have a positive impact on your energy usage, energy waste and as a result, save money on electric bills. With the new year just arrived, there isn’t a better time than now to make a resolution to go green!