Money Saving Tips: energy - billeater.com

Save Money by Saving Mother Earth

Jessica Bosari — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:30:00 +0000

In recent years, there has been a huge interest in simple living, green lifestyles and frugality. It makes sense: inexpensive lifestyles are often the best for the environment as well. Our nation's combined economic crisis and growing concern about resources have created a culture of environmental awareness and a growing interest in saving money. If you're looking for more ways to save money and take care of the environment at the same time, here are a few suggestions.

Read the rest...

Winter Savings in Your Rental Home

Guest Blogger — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:00:00 +0000

It’s no secret that a home without a winterization plan can make the colder seasons a lot harder than they need to be. Many of us live in climates that demand a shift in terms of how we live between the seasons. Read the rest...

Install a timer on electric water heaters and save money

billeater — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:45:51 +0000

If you have an electric water heater, the U.S Department of Energy estimates that you can save 5-12 percent of your energy costs by installing a timer that turns it off when you aren't using hot water. At night, or while you're at work, and during your utility's peak demand times, you don't really need it running...Read the rest...

Can Installing a Garbage Disposal in your Kitchen Sink Save Money?

Jessica Bosari — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:55:39 +0000

When people think of home improvements that can save money, installing a garbage disposal may be the one of the last things to cross their minds. For those who pay a fee for every bag taken to the curb, it can be a great way to save money. Saving on the cost of trash bags and trashcans can also put a little extra money in your pocket. Garbage disposals have environmental benefits by reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills. Installing a garbage disposal is a great idea, but there are some things to consider before making the decision to shop for one.Read the rest...

Five High Tech Tips for Winterizing your Home

Jessica Bosari — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:49:55 +0000

With the joys of homeownership come the expenses of heating and cooling. Though energy costs continue rising there are various steps owners carry out to keep these expenses from going through the roof. Some of the most popular, cheapest, and effective methods involve caulking around doors and windows, using insulated drapes and wearing warm clothing. Whether families are on a tight budget or not, these five high tech tips for winterizing a home save hundreds of dollars in the end.Read the rest...

Simple Ways to Create an Energy Efficient Home on a Budget

dlawwill — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 02:31:46 +0000

With utility costs on the rise, many families are looking for simple ways to cut heating and cooling costs in their homes. Creating an energy-efficient home does not have to be expensive. Many modifications are free or cheap. In the long run, you’ll save plenty of money on heating and cooling costs.

Read the rest...

Scientific Discovery Turns Discarded Cooking Oil Into Energy Savings

Jessica Bosari — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:08:11 +0000

In the past building roofs were either a light colored or a dark colored roof. The light colored or "cool roof" was supposed to reflect the sunlight beating down on the structure and keep the building cooler, lowering the energy bill. However, in the winter months the heat escaped which caused a rise in the energy bill. In contrast the dark roof trapped the heat in the summer raising the energy bill, while in the winter the heat was held in lowering the energy bill. In other words either way you were stuck with a high bill at some point. But now there is a end in sight to this dillema.Read the rest...

Billeater’s Practical Guide to Freezing Efficiently for Food Savings

Jessica Bosari — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:37:12 +0000

Did you know that you could save hundreds of dollars a year simply by putting your freezer to work for you? It’s not just about buying extra peas on sale and freezing them. There’s a lot more to it than that. By extending the life of meals, freezing some foods you never thought about, and taking better care of your freezer, you’ll save a bundle on groceries and energy. Read the rest...

7 Ways to Beat the Summer Heat Without Wasting Money on AC

Jessica Bosari — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:10:04 +0000

The cost of living is constantly rising, and many families struggle just to pay the bills. The summer months, which always see a spike in energy usage, put a further strain on family finances. There is no energy-saving plan that will suit all lifestyles, but there are several ways a family can take energy-saving measures that save both money from the monthly budget and emissions from our eroding climate.Read the rest...

Save $63 with CFL compact fluorescent bulbs

billeater — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:55:43 +0000

You've seen them when you're shopping at Home Depot, but haven't picked any up yet, right ? They use 75% less energy, and throw off less heat. Each one you swap will last almost seven years, and save you $9/year. That's $63 for each one you swap out ! While we have a large number of tips for saving energy, very few are as simple as this one.
Read the rest...

Secret to lower bills ? Just ask.

billeater — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:48:33 +0000

You can save quite a bit just by making a few phone calls and asking. A KCRA reporter was able to lower her bills by $318/year. She was able to secure better rates from her cell phone provider, local newspaper delivery, internet service, as well as her cable television bill. See the details on KCRA's website. Bob Sullivan, from MSNBC, also noted some similar success with getting credit card interest rates lowered. In his article at msnbc.com, he notes one customer was able to shave 5 percent from his bill.Read the rest...

How to Save Green by Cooking Green - Use Less Cooking Energy

Jessica Bosari — Sat, 29 May 2010 14:41:42 +0000

Cooking is one of those household chores we often do without thinking much about it. Getting it done fast is really what’s at the top of our minds. But if you take the time to think about your cooking habits, you may learn how much energy (and often time) you waste when you mindlessly go through the motions of making supper. There are many ways to save energy while cooking that also save you time.Read the rest...

Don't Forget to Look at Your Heating and Cooling Systems

Dan Early — Wed, 26 May 2010 00:26:54 +0000

It really doesn't matter what type energy saving appliances you use in your home if you don't do something about the costs associated with the air-conditioning or heating system that you have in your house. In fact, the cost of heating and colling accounts for 50% of your energy bill. In light of this fact, a wise consumer will need to know the facts behind what they can do to save money and reduce the cost to themselves over the years. Along with saving money, a person can also do their part in ‘going green’ to limit the emissions that they put out each year into the atmosphere. It's estimated that each year heating and cooling systems in the US will put out over 140,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide into this ever shrinking bubble in which we live. So, we would like to share with you a few tips on how to reduce the emissions that these parts of life put out and save you money along the way.Read the rest...

Save 10 Percent on Your Heating and Cooling Bills With a Programmable Thermostat

Jessica Bosari — Tue, 18 May 2010 00:17:20 +0000

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning your thermostat back for eight hours a day will save you as much as 10 percent a year in heating and cooling costs. See the DOE website for more details. Since a good entry level programmable thermostat costs only around $25 or so, that means it could pay for itself in the first month you own it.Read the rest...

Can You save on Cooling Costs with a Lighter Color or White Roof ?

Jessica Bosari — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:11:20 +0000

Short answer: Absolutely. Danny Parker, a senior scientist at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cape Canaveral, conducted a variety of tests on homes in Florida over a period of several years. In the experiments, he noted a reduction in roof temperature of more than 50 degrees. The savings on energy costs varied from 10 percent to 40 percent. And...all this research is from the late 1990's, but more recent studies confirm the findings as well. So much so that the U.S. Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, asked Americans to replace roofs with white materials or at least paint their roofs white. Read the rest...

The Four Best Companies for Energy-Saving Heating and Cooling Systems

Dan Early — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:40:15 +0000

You may have been recently thinking about lowering the cost or finding the best bargain out there for your heating and cooling needs, and we want you to know that we've done a little research for you. To find out which company to go with, it helps to know a little more about these companies, their reputations and their business practices. We've gathered a little bit of information on four of the top providers out there, and we hope that this will help ease some of your questions.
Read the rest...

Cut Your Electricity Bill Up To 11.25% With a Few Simple Changes

Jessica Bosari — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:55:12 +0000

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, as much as 15% of the average American household's electricity is used in lighting the home. The government also estimates use of efficient light bulbs combined with timing devices and lighting controls could reduce this expenditure by 50% to 75%, meaning you could cut your electricity bill by up to 11.25% by making a few simple changes.Read the rest...

How to Save on Heating Costs All Year Round

debbiedragon — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:52:46 +0000

With the record high in heating oil prices how do we leave more money in your wallet? Try these simple tips that you can do today to reduce the amount of heating oil you use.
Seal the Drafts
Warm air may be slowly seeping out of your home. These holes can be easily found and expertly plugged with caulking. Some common places to check for draughts and leaks are around doors, window and lighting fixtures.Read the rest...

How to Save Money on Heating and Cooling Bills

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:20:06 +0000

The first step to saving energy is to determine how much you presently use. One way to get an estimate is to visit the Lawrence Berkeley Lab to launch a computer program (see Resources, bottom) that can estimate your annual energy use. By answering a smattering of questions about your home’s energy use, you can receive an estimated calculation of your heating, cooling, hot water, lights, and appliance use.
Read the rest...

Residential Wind Turbines: Basic Facts for Homeowners

billeater — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:56:28 +0000

Between 2004 and 2008, residential wind power in the United States increased at an annual rate of 32 percent. That figure has more than doubled over the past two years and now exceeds 75 percent. Homeowners considering a wind system have no trouble finding someone who wants to sell them the equipment and provide the labor for installation. What they may find difficult, however, is getting hard, fast facts on which to base their decision.

In calculating the total cost of buying and owning a wind turbine, consider the following:
Read the rest...

Five Ways to Save Home Heating Energy

Jessica Bosari — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:42:17 +0000

Back in the oil crisis of the seventies, President Jimmy Carter made a big mistake. Instead of advising people to save on heating costs through better insulation methods and other simple ways to keep the heat in the house, he simply told them to turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater. This added to the downward spiraling economy at the time. Read the rest...

Tips To Reduce Home Heating Costs

debbiedragon — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:26:46 +0000

People living in regions that experience cold weather in the winter are preparing for the frigid months ahead. This includes digging out cold weather clothes andmaking sure your vehicle is equipped to handle below zero temperatures, snow and ice. The most important step and one that can save considerable money is winterizing your home. Home heating costs are expected to be lower this winter compared to recent years, nevertheless consumers worry if they will be able to afford keeping their family safe and warm. The following tips are great reminders for both homeowners and renters to help ward off old man winter without breaking the bank.Read the rest...

16 ways to save money on laundry day

Tyra — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:35:35 +0000

Having to do laundry is something that everybody has in common. More than most other chores, it is repetitive, and pretty expensive. Between the washer, dryer, laundromat fees, fabric softeners and detergent costs,and the power it takes to run your machines you may find yourself in over your head. Read up on a few ways to keep some cash on laundry day. Read the rest...

Cutting Down on Summer Air Conditioning Costs

MikeV — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:40:21 +0000

Most of us like to avoid the heat of summer - or at least try and find a way to compensate for it. Air conditioning is a wonderful tool to be able to do this, but sometimes, it just costs too much money. That may be money that you need for something else, too. Here is some money saving tips on how to avoid those high bills on air conditioning this summer.

Start Saving Money with the BasicsRead the rest...

Electric Choice - Compare electric providers, switch, and save

billeater — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:01:25 +0000

How to switch electric companies and save hundreds

Does your state allow electric choice and competition ?

First, you'll need to find out if your state allows electric companies to compete for your business.
At the time this article was written, the following states had programs that allowed consumer choice: New Jersey, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Oregon, Texas, Arizona, Washington D.C., Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Michigan, Virginia, and New Hampshire.

Then...Read the rest...

7 Simple Tricks to Reduce Your Heating Bill This Winter

MikeV — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:27:43 +0000

If you have noticed that your house or apartment is somewhat drafty, then you are probably also paying way too much in heating bills. By taking some simple steps, you can greatly reduce your heating bills and find something more important to spend your money on for the remainder of the winter. Here are seven simple tips to help you save money and reduce your heating cost.Read the rest...

Apply for Federal Weatherization Program and Save Money on your Utility Bills

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:30:33 +0000

If you are a low income family or individual and you qualify under the state guidelines, you can apply for the weatherization program. Once you have been approved, you can get improvements to your home that will weatherize it to cut down the costs of your heating bills. Contractors can fix or replace old and broken furnaces, repair or put in new windows, add insulation, caulking, and more.

Update: President Obama's stimulus program, now passed by Congress, is set to pump an additional $5 billion into this program. That can mean up to ten times more spent this year versus in year's past, especially in the colder weather states like Oregon, New York, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, etc. Minnesota, for example, usually weatherizes about 3500 homes each year, and with the additional funding could raise that to almost 35,000.Read the rest...

Find energy rebates and electric bill discounts

billeater — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:44:32 +0000

Many state and local governments as well as utility companies offer incentives for energy efficiency and use of renewable or green energy sources...
In the past, the hard part has been finding these programs, as there wasn't a consolidated area with pointers to which programs were offered. North Carolina State University, together with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and the North Carolina Solar Center, have created a huge database of incentives. This database is called "The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency" or DSIRE.Read the rest...

Cooling Paint: Reduce your heating and cooling bills

billeater — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:19:18 +0000

Choosing the right color for your exterior walls plays a big role in your energy-saving strategy. There's a significant difference in the "reflectance" between dark paints and light paints. It's this reflectance that causes the paint to either absorb and hold heat, or to reflect and dissipate the heat.

Darker Paints to retain heat from the sun...Read the rest...

Get assistance with your heating bill if you need it

billeater — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:41:20 +0000

There is a federal program available for low income families and elderly called LIHEAP. LIHEAP stands for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. To find out if you qualify, call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project at 1-866-674-6327. You can also see more detail about the program on the U.S. Department of Health's Website If you do not meet the qualifications for LIHEAP,Read the rest...

Save on your electric bill by cleaning your AC condensor unit

billeater — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:41:11 +0000

The outside unit of your air conditioner is a big heat exchanger. The fan inside of it is designed to pull air from the ground up through the coils and fins that are in the four sides of the unit. When those coils and fins are clogged up with mowed grass, dust, anthills, etc, they don't work that well. It can consume 10 percent more energy than it needs to. A pro will charge a little over $100 to do this job, but you can save a bit by doing it yourself...Read the rest...

electric money saving tip: upgrade your nightlights

billeater — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:12:24 +0000

Have you seen the newer nightlights that look like a glowing blue square ? Unlike old nightlights that use 7 watts or so, these new lights use about a tenth of a watt, and cost just pennies a year. They are also relatively inexpensive at under $10 each, and are cool to the touch, so no safety issues to be concerned about...Read the rest...

lower your heating and air conditioning bill with incense ?

billeater — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 17:29:04 +0000

An incense stick is a great tool to find leaks around doors and windows. Light one, and you'll notice that the smoke generally travels upward. Being careful not to burn curtains, bring the incense stick around your windows and doors. Where there's a significant leak, you'll see the smoke travelling sideways towards the leak rather than upwards.Read the rest...

10 ways to save energy while doing laundry

billeater — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 15:33:36 +0000

Looking to save money when doing your laundry, or perhaps contribute to a greener planet? We've compiled a great list of the top 10 ways to save money, and energy while doing your laundry...Read the rest...

Use motion sensors on light switches

billeater — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:09:44 +0000

Use one of the new motion sensors on light switches and they will automatically come on as you enter the room, and turn off when you leave.

By automatically turning off the lights when nobody is in the room, manufacturers claim that an average of 128 hours of uneeded lighting is avoided reducing electricity consumption by 10%.

You can purchase motion sensing switches in our gadget store.

Lower your electric bill ... don't overuse your pool pump

billeater — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:47:32 +0000

Many people tend to overuse their pool pump. A typical 2hp pool pump uses 2000+ watts ! At 8 hours a day, that would be 477kW Hours, or roughly $50 at national average rates.

See the chart below for an estimate of how many kWh per month typical pool pumps will use, based on how many hours a day you run the pump:

Kilowatt Hours per month used by pool pumps:Read the rest...

Save money on the air conditioning portion of your electric bill

billeater — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:41:44 +0000

Air conditioning is the single biggest driver of high electric bills in warmer areas. A 2.5 ton unit uses 3500 watt hours for one hour of use. Compare that to 75 for a television, or 350 for a refrigerator with the door open.Read the rest...

Is your air conditioner or heating unit blowing into the attic ?

billeater — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:50:57 +0000

Many homes have developed leaks in the ductwork, causing your heated or cooled air to blow into the attic. Duct leakage can be as high as 25 percent, without any obvious signs. Ducts either come loose and separate at connection points, or they can develop holes and leaks in the seam areas. Read the rest...

Save on your appliances

billeater — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:26:25 +0000

First, if you need a new appliance, try to purchase during the month of May. Retail stores tend to discount appliances for Mother's day and Memorial day. Also, many states offer a "tax holiday" during this time.

Don't forget to negotiate. These big ticket items are sold on commission, and the salespeople have the ability to make you a deal. Leverage price matching offers where the store will meet or beat advertised specials from their competitors.Read the rest...