Ways to Save Energy and Slash Electricity Bills
1. Lighting & Light Bulbs
Install low energy light bulbs in rooms you use regularly ? they last up to 15 times longer than a normal light bulb and provide the same lighting for a quarter of the running cost. Turn off the lights when you leave a room for a long period and don't use several light bulbs where one will do the job. Teach all family members to turn off lights when leaving a room.2. TV, Hi-Fi & RadioTurn off the TV or video and hi-fi rather than leaving it on standby.
Always use the television's on/off switch. Leaving the television on standby wastes energy.3. Cooking Microwave ovens reduce cooking time by 15% to 20% and save energy. When boiling vegetables, use just enough water to keep them covered. Use a jug kettle that has a water level gauge to ensure you only heat the amount of water you need.
Cover saucepans with lids whenever possible to reduce the cooking time.4. Home Laundry & DishwashersSave electricity by using old-fashioned clothesline for clothes drying. Avoid drying clothes on radiators as it lowers the room temperature, making your boiler work harder. Shut off dishwasher for dry cycle.
Let your dishes "air dry".
Don't use dishwasher or laundry equipment until you have a full load.5. Fridges & Fridge Freezers Make sure your refrigerator and freezer door seals are airtight. Let hot foods cool before placing them in the refrigerator. Defrost refrigerator regularly - when about 1/4 inch of ice has formed. Place your refrigerator in the coolest part of the kitchen - away from cookers, heaters and out of direct sunlight.6.
HeatingTurn off electric water heater when going away for vacations or weekends. Turn your heating down rather than opening a window to reduce the room temperature. Never cover radiators with curtains or furniture as this reduces their efficiency and wastes valuable heat. When going on long holidays, remember to switch your water heating off.7. Work Tools Use hand tools in your workshop instead of power tools.8.
Appliances When shopping for new appliances, ask about energy-efficient models. Buy appliances on the basis of cost plus operating costs, not price alone. Limit the use of appliances that use over 1,000 watts. Keep appliances clean and in good working order. They'll use less energy.9.
Bills Check all energy bills closely.
Errors can be costly.10. Insulation & Air conditioningInsulating your attic will save on operating air conditioning (also heating). If your walls are suitable, cavity wall insulation will substantially reduce heat loss. Keep air conditioning condenser shaded from sun or on north side of house.
Turn off air conditioning when no one is home..
Copyright © 2005. Chileshe Mwape writes for The Cheap Electricity Guide website at: http://www.cheap-electricity-guide.org.uk/ and he?s also a regular contributor to the Ways2Save website at: http://www.ways2save.org.uk/This article may be reprinted as long as all the above links are active and clickable.Are You Responsible For The Appliances in Your New Apartment?
So you're moving into a new apartment? The list of things you should check on before signing that lease seems never-ending. You have to worry about location, environment, convenience, cost, aesthetic appeal, etc. But wait... there's more! One more thing to check out is what you, the tenant, are responsible for bringing to the apartment.Realize that just because the model apartment you toured with your landlord displayed the lovely washer/dryer 2000 unit doesn't mean you'll have one in your apartment. The lease might be for a two bedroom apartment with washer/dryer connections...
but this doesn't mean it has to come with the washer/dryer!Perhaps you're lucky, and you already have appliances to take to your new apartment. If so... great! Otherwise, you need to look at your options:Option number one: Rummaging through garage sales.If you have the patience for garage sales, you could end up with some great deals. My grandmother, for example, found her big screen t.v. (which hasn't...
Are You Responsible For The Appliances in Your New Apartment?
Appliances > Are You Responsible For The Appliances in Your New Apartment?
Fire Safety, Prevention and Survival Tips
Ashland Kentucky (ContentDesk) June 12, 2006 -- It's not a question of luck. It's a matter of planning ahead. Heightron Systems (www.safesurge.com) presents a list of the ways people can make their homes safe.When using appliances, make sure to follow the manufacturer's safety precautions. Overheating, unusual smells, shorts and sparks are all warning signs that appliances need to be shut off, then replaced or repaired. Unplug appliances when not in use.
Use safety caps to cover all unused outlets, especially if there are small children in the home.Placing smoke detectors in rooms where you have appliances and in bedrooms is important but if you install the new wireless smoke detectors every alarm alarms when any one alarms. This technology is required in some states and my soon be required in all states.Never overload circuits or extension cords. Do not place cords and wires under rugs, over nails...
Fire Safety, Prevention and Survival Tips
Appliances > Fire Safety, Prevention and Survival Tips
Voltage Converters - Don't Fry Your Appliances!?
Most of North and South America, the Caribbean and Japan use 110 volts at 60Hz while most European counties use 220 volts at 50Hz. This means you may need to use voltage converters to use many of your electrical appliances. Plugging a 110 volt electrical product into a 220 volt socket without a voltage converter will damage or destroy the appliance. To know if you need a power converter you should check any electrical appliance as you pack them for your trip. Each appliance will have a small rating plate which will tell you if the product is single volt or dual volt (i.e.
Use 110 or 220 or both). If the rating plate says it is a dual volt appliance you will not need a voltage converter, however, any single volt appliance will need a travel converter.There are several different kinds of travel voltage converters available. Small electronics - like your electric razor or toothbrush - need a 50 watt converter while heating appliances like heating pads, hairdryers and curling irons...
Voltage Converters - Don't Fry Your Appliances!?
Appliances > Voltage Converters - Don't Fry Your Appliances!?
Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for at least 400 accidental deaths and over 5,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms per year. Unfortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning is often misdiagnosed as flu, food poisoning, allergy/asthma or chronic fatigue syndrome. Children, the elderly, individuals with respiratory problems and pets are at risk, even at low levels. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are; headaches, nausea, drowsiness, vomiting, tiredness, pain, cramps and sleep disturbance. Some people experience headaches and dizziness for almost 2 years prior to carbon monoxide poisoning diagnosis.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is highly toxic, making it impossible to detect with our senses. Carbon monoxide is produced by incomplete combustion in household appliances like furnaces, boilers, water heaters, stoves, ovens, fireplaces as well as well as automobiles. Tips to protect yourself and your loved ones: 1) Install carbon monoxide detectors...
Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Appliances > Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning