Utilities

How to slash your heating bill

cheapncheerful — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:49:58 +0000

Good Housekeeping is sharing tips on how to cut that heating bill down. I don't know anyone that wouldn't want to do that! :)

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/research-institute/slash-your-heating-bill-how-to

3 Secrets for Keeping Your Home Cool in Summer

bringmeroses — Tue, 31 May 2011 07:41:03 +0000

But before you give in to firing up your energy-burning, power-bill-boosting AC, consider revisiting techniques that our great-greats used to stay cool in summer. Three simple strategies will go a long way to keeping the inside of your house more comfortable.

http://www.rodale.com/summer-heat-and-cooling-your-home

How to cut that cable bill

purplerain — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:25:09 +0000

I saw a great tip at BankrateRead the rest...

Save on the AC by insulating your outlets

greenmachine — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 22:24:37 +0000

It's amazing how all those little energy leaks add up. For example, if you have an older home and there are gaps around your electrical outlets, your heating or air conditioning is likely escaping making your utility bills just a little bit more expensive each month. The good news, is that those leaks are easy to fix.

I hadn't seen these gadgets and I'll be looking out for them now. We're in the high 80's already!Read the rest...

Do you or would you buy meat in very big bulk packages?

Kay — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:41:36 +0000

We have a slaughterhouse not far from us and apparently you can buy huge meat packages, like half a pig or a whole side of beef. It's all prepared and wrapped for you in the different cuts like chops and bacon, steak and ground beef etc. Do you think it would be worth getting that? I've heard it's cheap per lb. but how cheap I don't know yet. I'm wondering if it would be too much meat or if it would go bad before I could use it all.Read the rest...

6 ways to save on home heating

cheapncheerful — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:11:17 +0000

There's ways to do it that you might not have got around to yet. Every winter I wish I'd took a better look at our loft insulation.

Read the rest...

How often do you freeze fresh fruit and veg you get on sale?

Kay — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 19:33:45 +0000

I would love to do more of the prep work ahead of time for dinner. I'm seriously thinking about buying up a load of vegetables I use often when they are on sale like carrots and onions and spending an afternoon just slicing and dicing then freezing it all in freezer bags. That will save time when it comes to getting dinner together and money if I can catch them on sale. Anyone done it? I was reading about once a month cooking again but I don't think I'm up to that.

If you want to save on heating, get some thermals

Kay — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 01:29:23 +0000

Thermal underwear I'm talking about. Seriously, I got some and can't believe how warm and lightweight they are. I don't want to take them off LOL. And it's not old lady clothes before you start on at me! I am toasty warm and managing to keep that thermostat down a few degrees more than usual, so it's all good. They are cheap too!

New GE and Dept of Energy project looks to cut Home Energy Usage by 70%

Kay — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:12:52 +0000

In an effort to push the limits of home energy efficiency, General Electric is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy on a $5 million project to connect homes in the Western U.S. to its energy management system, LED lights, appliances and solar panels.Read the rest...

DIY installation solar panel kits coming soon

cookiefan — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 00:54:22 +0000

By next Spring, you should be able to pick these "plug and play" solar kits up at your local hardware store.
Read the rest...

Five air conditioning myths busted

Zoey — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:50:04 +0000

See if you believed any of these. I admit to believing the first one. I thought it cooled the place faster if you deliberately set your AC way lower than you needed initially.

Myth: Cranking your air conditioner up high (by setting your unit's thermostat significantly below the temperature you want to achieve) will cool your house faster. Read the rest...

New"smart" metal makes AC 175% more effective

greenmachine — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 02:49:18 +0000

The “thermally elastic” alloy, which is supported by a $500,000 grant from the US Department of Energy, works like a traditional compressor-based system, but uses far less energy. The University of Maryland team explains,"The approach is expected to increase cooling efficiency 175 percent, reduce U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by 250 million metric tons per year, and replace liquid refrigerants that can cause environmental degradation in their own right."

Read the rest...

How to save on gas

Kay — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 19:55:41 +0000

Here's ten ways to do so if you're not already doing your best to cut costs at the pump.

1) Slow and steady wins the race
Gasoline mileage drops off in most cars once you're going faster than about 60 mph (see chart at left). For every 5 mph you drive over 60 mph, you're essentially paying an extra 24 cents per gallon of gas.
Try using cruise control on interstates and other highways to maintain a constant speed. It can also help to use your car's overdrive gears, which save fuel and engine wear by reducing your speed.Read the rest...

Take advantage of the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program

Savannah — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:39:07 +0000

I was reading this article on when "Cash for Refrigerators" starts in various states. The article's been around for a few months but some states still haven't depleted their funds for this program. Arkansas for example still has some funding available.

If you're in the market for a new appliance, look into this. It could save you between $50 and $250 on a new Energy Star appliance. If your state is no longer eligible, the link will tell you that.

Here's the links to the statesRead the rest...

EPA Offers Cooling Tips for Every Budget this Summer

purplerain — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:34:47 +0000

Release date: 06/08/2010
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov, 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355
Read the rest...