Other Energy Information and Tips I Found

TLC Home http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/question272.htm 

What I didn’t think about was water pumps I did not know these were included in the bill, and that it takes up so much of the bill.

If you were to make a chart of the electricity-consuming devices in a typical home and rank them in order of their hunger for power, the list might look something like this:

Device	Typical consumption	Cost per hour
Heat pump or central air	15,000 watts	$1.50
Water heater or clothes drier	4,000 watts	40 cents
Water pump	3,000 watts	30 cents
Space heater	1,500 watts	15 cents
Hair drier	1,200 watts	12 cents
Electric range burner	1,000 watts	10 cents
Refrigerator	1,000 watts	10 cents
Computer and monitor	400 watts	4 cents
Light bulb	60 watts	0.6 cents

This table assumes that a kilowatt-hour of electricity costs 10 cents, which is an average rate depending on your location.
If your house has electric heat, then the middle of winter is a time when you are going to use a lot of power. A heat pump might run 10 to 15 hours a day. At $1.50 an hour, that's $15 to $22 per day. Over the course of a month, that's several hundred dollars worth of electricity. The same applies in the summer if you use the air conditioner a lot.
Water heating uses a good bit of power as well. When you take a shower or run a load of clothes in the washer, the electric water heater might run for an hour reheating the water in the tank. That's 40 cents. A typical household can burn several dollars a day heating water. Because we don't normally think of it this way, it is funny to consider that every shower you take costs 40 cents! When you add in the cost of washing and drying the towels (every load of clothes that you run might cost $1 to $2 for washing and drying), plus the soap and shampoo, it can cost nearly a buck to take a shower!
Refrigeration is another big power drain because the refrigerator can easily run for 10 hours a day. That's about $1 per day to keep the milk cold. If you leave the computer or TV on all day, it can add up to $1 per day as well.
Then we get to light bulbs. At 0.6 cents per hour, it doesn't seem like much. However, many fixtures contain two or more bulbs, and it is easy to leave several fixtures on. If 10 bulbs are burning, that's 6 cents an hour. If they burn for six hours a day, that's 36 cents per day for lighting. Multiply that by 30 days in a month, and it's $10 per month for photons.
Using a space heater or an electric blanket to heat a smaller area at night is probably the easiest way to save big on your power bill. Saving hot water is the next easiest.
Its good that this website gives a few tips on the easiest ways to save power.
Seven ways to save energy http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/7-energy-savers-460608
Your dear old Dad wasn't just being stingy, he was trying to teach you to save energy and money, back when he fussed at you for leaving lights on after you left the room.
See, Dad knew that lighting is responsible for about 11 percent of a home's energy bills. By turning off lights you don't need, you'll begin saving right away, and will extend the lifetime of all those bulbs.

CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) are well known for substantial energy savings (they use about 75% less energy than standard incandescents), plus they last much longer. These days, you can get CFLs in many different shapes and sizes, including ones that work with all your lamp shades!
You aren't stuck with that now-iconic swirly shape, unless you want to be. Do remember to dispose of them carefully, but don't over worry about the small amount of mercury they contain.

Install Motion Sensors

Install motion sensors on lights in your home, which turn on only when movement is detected and turn off automatically.

These work particularly well for outdoor lamps, which can also boost security. Leaving lighting on all night can be disruptive to wildlife, especially when it comes to flood lights.

So save electricity and money (and reduce the chance of getting shocked) by installing sensors. Isn't that smart?

Turn Off Your Computer at Night

Many of us spend so much time on our computers, and check e-mail and other services so frequently, that we never turn the things off.

It may occasionally take you a few more seconds to get to work, but you'll save energy and money if you turn your computer off at the end of each day. It will also reduce wear and tear on your hardware, extending its life. According to the Department of Energy you'll save an average of $90 of electricity a year.

The agency recommends shutting off your monitor if you aren't going to use it for more than 20 minutes, and the whole system if you're not going to use it for more than two hours. (It is true that very frequent cycling of the power switch can result in added wear.)

Use a Laptop Instead of a Desktop

If you have the choice between powering up your desktop or a laptop, choose the latter. Also, when it's time to upgrade to a new computer, think laptop.

Laptop computers draw only 15 to 25 watts during regular use, as compared to the 150 watts used by a conventional desktop computer and monitor. Plus, laptops also draw just a fraction of a watt when in sleep mode.

Get an Energy Monitor

Get a close handle on your home energy use with an advanced energy monitoring device.

One good example is The Energy Detective (TED), which starts at $139. TED is a small display that indicates household electrical usage in real time and projects your monthly bill -- all without using batteries. Research has found that real-time energy feedback leads consumers to reduce their electricity consumption. According to the company you'll save 15 - 20% on each bill, which would amount to hundreds of dollars a year.

It's really quite simple: If you can measure it, you can manage it. You can make small adjustments through the day and see how the savings add up.

Get an Energy Audit

Now that you've been making some small changes around the house to save energy, you may want to consider a home energy audit. Many people think of them only when it starts getting cold, and heating season begins. But summer cooling is also one of our largest energy users.

An energy audit will help you determine exactly how much juice you are using, and will identify ways you can reduce it, through better insulation and other techniques. Hire a pro, or get started with your own simple DIY audit here.

Surprising the added benefits you can achieve buy conserving power like security and reducing wear and tear on appliances. At first the laptop thing surprised me but once I started thinking about it, it made sense.

home energy conservation tip #1 - Choose Your Colors Wisely

The colors in your House can Reduce Your Energy Bill

Paint the walls of your home a light color. Dark colors tend to absorb light, requiring you to use more energy from light bulbs to achieve the same effect.

Not only to light colors on your walls help conserve energy in your home, they also make your rooms feel brighter and more cheerful!

home energy conservation tip #2 -- Who Wants to Do the Dishes?

An Energy Efficient Dish Washer

A dishwasher that is 90% full uses 4 units of electricity. If it is only 50% full, it still uses 3 units of electricity. Fill the dishwasher to save on your electric bill.

Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings:
All New Listings of the Most Efficient Products You Can Buy

Alex Wilson and John Morrill have assembled a comprehensive guide to energy-saving techniques and devices with two goals in mind: save consumers money and save Earth in the process. Wilson and Morrill offer consumers the latest techniques for making their homes more efficient, comfortable, and cheaper to live in, and they supply energy ratings for appliances, light bulbs, water heaters, windows, heating systems, and more. The language is clear and entertaining; you needn't to be a technician or an engineer to understand the suggestions and analyses. Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings will prove incredibly useful for people who are about to build a home or remodel, or who simply want to get the most bang for their buck and not waste energy or foul the environment

Review
"Not only does the Guide rate the brand of major home appliances and fixtures for energy efficiency, it also shows how to insulate, landscape and maintain your home in the manner that will make your wallet and your planet greener."
-E Magazine

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home energy conservation tip #3 -- Insulate

Give Your Water Heater a Blankie

Buy a water heater blanket and keep your water heater insulated. You'll save $40 per year. Doesn't that just make you feel warm all over?

M-D Building Products R-5.0 Water Heater Insulation Blanket #04671

Water heater insulation blankets are designed for gas, oil or electric heaters. White vinyl backed fiberglass blanket. Includes adhesive tape for easy installation. Easy to install with scissors, measuring tape and pencil. Fits up to 60 gallons. R-5.0 insulating value.

-- Reduces energy cost
-- Easily installed
-- R-5.0 Insulating Value

home energy conservation tip #4 -- Lighten Up!

Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Replacing a single incandescent bulb with an energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulb (one of those "squiggly bulbs") can save up to $50 over the bulb's lifetime.

Now THAT'S a bright idea!

60-Watt Replacement 4 Pack Mini Spiral Compact Fluorescent Bulbs, Uses only 13-Watts

Did you know that if every U.S. home swapped out just ONE incandescent bulb for a compact fluorescent "squiggly bulb", the energy saved would be enough to power 2.5 MILLION homes!?!

Save on energy costs with a bright, low-wattage fluorescent light bulb. Conserve energy by replacing any 100-watt incandescent light bulb with this 23-watt fluorescent bulb that emits the same amount of light! This 1600-lumen bulb is the same size as standard light bulbs, easily fitting in small lamps, recessed lighting fixtures, or anywhere else you usually install an incandescent bulb. The 23-Watt Mini Spiral Fluorescent Light Bulb features excellent color rendering and excellent light distribution as well as a double coating for higher lumen maintenance. A built-in soft-start circuit ensures a longer bulb life: Built to last 10,000 hours, this fluorescent light bulb has an average life span of more than 10 times that of standard 1,000-hour incandescent bulbs.

home energy conservation tip #5 -- Money Out the Window?

Energy Efficient Windows

Up to 16% of your heat can escape through unprotected windows. Close your drapes at night or install insulating shutters to retain heat. If you have a large expanse of glass that doesn't receive direct sun, keep the drapes closed as much as possible.

home energy conservation tip #6 -- Turn the "Off" OFF

Get a Smart Power Strip

75% of electricity used by home electronics is consumed while "off". By using a power strip and switching off when not in use, you lessen CO2 emissions and reduce your energy bill.

home energy conservation tip #7 -- Get a Load of This!

What Kind of Washing Machine is More Energy Efficient?

When choosing your next washing machine, pick one with a front-loader. Front-loader models use 25% less energy than a standard model.

Also, simply switching from a hot/warm cycle to a warm/cold cycle when washing laundry can save you 10 cents a load. That adds up when you think about how many loads of laundry you do a year!

Don't forget to look for the Energy Star before making those big purchases!

Whirlpool Duet Sport Series WFW8300SW 27" Front-Load Washer with 3.4 Cu. Ft. Capacity, 7 Wash Cycles, 6-Point Suspension System & Flexible Installation

Introducing the Whirlpool Duet Sport washer.
It's time to get serious about conserving not only space, but water and energy too.This washer combines a contemporary front-load design and large capacity with the flexibility of a compact frame. Enjoy this front-loading washer's deep cleaning performance and save as much as 2/3 the water and energy consumed by traditional top-loading washers. The Duet Sports fabric care system combines two powerful technologies combine for one powerful clean. The Anti-Escape valve ensures the maximum concentration of detergent, while the Care Control System keeps temps optimal for detergent enzymes.

--Anticipated Durability (Consumer Reports indicates Whirlpool has lowest repair-rate for front-loaders.
--Quiet.
--Super clean clothes.
--SGreen: consumes way less water and electricity than top-loaders

home energy conservation tip #8 -- Ditch the Dirty Filters

Heat and Air Conditioning Filters

Check your furnace and AC filters regularly. Cleaning or replacing filters once a month during periods of high use will insure proper air flow, promote better health, increase efficiency, and save money too.


If you are concerned about air quality, consider a dust collector or air filtration system.

CrispAir Air Cleaning Light Bulb, 23 Watt, 6400K, Compact Flourescent

Did you know they make energy saving lightbulbs that clean the air in your home or office, too? The CrispAirTM Air Cleaning Light Bulb purifies the air by generating negative ions. These negative ions collide with airborne particles, which are large rafts for hundreds of toxic chemical and disease organisms. This process removes viruses, bacteria, odors, cigarette smoke, pet dander and other pollutants from the air we breathe. The negative ion functions as a remover of dust, bacteria, cigarette smoke, offensive odors and the positive ions generated from TVs, computers, and other electrical devices. The CrispAirTM Air Cleaning Light Bulb helps to balance the ionization in your home and office to help combat the positive ions that make us feel tired and irritable. This restored balance increases oxygen intake so we feel more alert and helps to relieve asthma symptoms, fatigue, headaches. The CrispAirTM light bulb is a compact fluorescent bulb and as such, uses about a quarter of the wattage to produce the same amount of light as an incandescent light bulb. In addition, since it lasts up to 10 times as long, it saves multi-bulb replacement costs.

--Cleans air by removing cigarette smoke, odors, dust, pollen, pet dander, mold and mildew.
--Removes harmful germs that aggravate allergies, asthma and bronchitis. Relieves headaches caused by computer use.
--23 Watt, 90 Watt equivalent. 110V, 1300 Lm
--Color: Daylight/6400K
--Life: 10,000 hours. Save up to 75% in energy costs

home energy conservation tip #9 -- Air Your Laundry

Even a Retractable Clothes Line WIll Do Ya!

During spring and summer months, line dry your clothes instead of using a clothes dryer. This can save you as much as $75 a year.

home energy conservation tip #10 -- Get with the Program

Energy Efficient Thermostats Save You Money

Why pay for heat or AC you don't need? You can save energy and money by using a programable thermostat. It can reduce your energy needs from heat or AC when you are at work, away at vacation, or asleep.

Hunter 44550 Auto Save 7-Day Programmable Thermostat

Create the ideal indoor climate for a particular household's daily needs while conserving energy with this Energy Star-compliant programmable thermostat from Hunter. Users program for each day of the week, enabling the thermostat to automatically heat up at dawn on a cold morning or to run the air conditioner for longer hours over a summer weekend. By adjusting the thermostat to operate primarily when household members are home, the device reduces wasted energy and minimizes the size of the electric bill in addition to maximizing comfort.

"This is not a particularly expensive thermostat, but it might as well be because you get a lot more than you pay for. It was so easy to install that my not-particularly-handy husband was able to do it (he DID have to read the directions, but he did NOT have to ask for help). It works really well, we love the indigo glow, and the program is really easy to use and really convenient for people who don't work the standard 9-5 M-F that some thermostats limit their programs to. The energy-saver programs are also really nice. All in all, I think this was a great buy."

http://www.squidoo.com/home-energy

 fuel efficiency tips for cars http://www.hk-phy.org/energy/transport/act_fuel_tips_e.html

Advice on Selecting a Car

Do you need a car? Consider public transportation or walking to your regular destinations instead of driving. Buy a car with the right capacity and engine size - The penalty for any excess is extra fuel expenses. Buy a car with an energy label - Compare the fuel consumption of different cars before making your decision. Ask the dealer for the fuel consumption rating of a car if it does not have an energy label. Consider buying alternative fuel vehicles - they usually consume less fuel and produce a smaller quantity of greenhouse gases and pollutants.

Advice on Using a Car

Plan your journey - Avoid congested roads, steep hills, road construction, etc. Group short journeys and minimise your car's idling time. Do not drive short distances- Consider public transportation or walking. Share your car with others – Give neighbours, friends or colleagues travelling the same route a lift in your car, or get a lift from another driver and leave your car at home. Park-and-ride at railway stations - Use public transportation as often as possible. Drive only to destinations where no public transportation is available.

Advice on Energy Efficient Driving

Avoid unnecessary acceleration and over-speeding - Accelerate smoothly and maintain a steady speed. Use air-conditioning sparingly - Use flow-through ventilation or open windows to reduce the use of air-conditioning. Drive off as soon as possible after starting. Switch off your engine if you have been idling for a long time. Do not carry any unnecessary articles or fittings - The extra weight results in fuel wastage and unnecessary emissions. Close windows when travelling at high speeds - This will decrease aerodynamic drag. Maintain your car properly - Service your car regularly and keep it well tuned. Keep your car in top operating condition. Maintain correct tyre pressure - Inspect your tyres regularly and inflate them to the correct pressure as recommended by the manufacturer.

A biggy is idling this wastes large amounts of fuel when done often.