Now that winter has reared its ugly head, it’s everyone’s mission to keep as warm as possible!
With heaters on full blast around the clock, it’s no wonder that household bills skyrocket at this time of year. According to ABC, The average American household will pay $992 in heating costs this winter, which is $94 higher than last year. This is because of a recent hike in oil prices.
As well as saving some money by keeping more heat inside, you’ll stop harmful greenhouse gasses from escaping into the atmosphere and adding to global warming.
It makes sense to try and keep as much heat in the house as possible. Our guide is here to help!
INSTALL ATTIC INSULATION
Most of the heat lost in your house is escaping through the roof. It can be quite expensive to have your attic insulated, but the long term benefits make the cost worthwhile. Make sure that you research a few firms before you make your decision, or ask friends and relatives who they have used to carry out the work.... read more
The time to think about cooling is when it’s cool, not hot. So begin preparing for a cooler summer now and through the spring. Doing so will have you sitting pretty when the thermostat starts hitting its July and August highs.
The methods you choose will depend on several variables, not the least of which is your own internal thermostat. Some people can tolerate more heat than others. If you’re not afraid of a little perspiration, for example, any number of low-tech solutions may be all you need. As a bonus, low-tech tends to be greener and less expensive than mechanical solutions. If your tolerance to heat is low, or if you live in a climate where the heat is relentless, choose from one of several central air conditioning systems. They are quieter and more efficient than window air conditions and won’t obstruct your windows. They’re also more secure, giving intruders one less way to break into your home.... read more
I know it's still autumn, but I saw Halloween stuff at the store yesterday, which can only mean that autumn is right around the corner, which means winter isn't too far behind! It got me thinking...how do you keep your house warmer without harming the environment and racking up a huge heat bill?
There are lots of ways!
- The first and most obvious way is to lower the heat and put on an extra layer. Sweaters, socks, and slippers...they all go a long way on a chilly evening!
- Don't keep your house warmer than you need to. According to EnergyAustralia, a one degree increase in temperature can increase your heating costs by up to 10%. That's pretty substantial!... read more
A little background: On August 2, 2012, Representative Bob Filner and 10 cosponsors introduced the Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act of 2012, H.R. 6275 in the House of Representatives. The bill is officially entitled “To promote the domestic development and deployment of clean energy technologies required for the 21st century” and will allow Americans to invest in Treasury Bonds for as low as $25 each. The bonds will fund clean energy programs that support wind, solar, energy efficiency, and electric vehicles in the US.... read more
Hey kids! Want to tell the world about the things you do to save energy, money, and protect the climate? Here's your opportunity!
Kids who submit an essay about saving energy to the Share Your Story ENERGY STAR page and click on the "DoSomething Team ENERGY STAR Challenge" immediately become eligible for a number of prizes, such as:
· The new Lorax DVD, which will go to the first 100 kids to submit essays
· 25 winners will receive ENERGY STAR qualified electronics products donated by LG Electronics, including computer monitors and televisions, smart phones, and mouse scanners
· Top winners will also be featured in New York's Times Square on the LG billboard.
· Some winners may have a chance to participate in ENERGY STAR Day in October with EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.... read more
Here are some tips for staying cool this summer while decreasing your energy consumption. If you're not ready to go solar, there are still plenty of changes you can make to reduce your carbon footprint.
1. Turn your thermostat to 120 degrees. Run a meat thermometer under the water 5-6 hours after you lower the temperature and adjust the settings on the thermostat as necessary.
Owning commercial property can be a very expensive proposition. Even though fairly good money is realized from the rents paid by tenants a large portion of that is taken away due to maintenance, leaving behind a very thin net profit. It can be even tougher if not all the space in the building is rented out. Landlords are always looking for ways to either cut or contain maintenance costs. Very few look to green alternatives for cost control and that is unfortunate. Going green is not necessarily a hippie Woodstock way of managing things. In fact, it is entirely possible for a landlord to reduce his or her carbon footprint and save money at the same time. There are a number of possible strategies and here are just a few:
1. Conduct an energy audit. Most commercial buildings are not designed to make use of the current solar panel technology, but that doesn't mean that these structures cannot be energy efficient. Public utilities are quite willing to do an energy audit that will give the owner an indication of how much energy is being used, and provide suggestions as to how to save money by efficiently decreasing energy use (e.g. not having the air- conditioning on in offices 24/7).... read more
Our friends at Easy Finance look at some different stats for the finances of going green and saving money.
They go on to explain: "There are a number of ways to help our environment almost effortlessly and without spending a single dollar. Some principles of a sustainable lifestyle are pretty straightforward and easy to put into practice."
Check out the graphic below to learn more. ... read more
About one-third of your heating and cooling are lost as heat transfers through your windows. While window technology has improved dramatically over the past 20-30 years, newer windows still contribute to home energy loss significantly. There are many things you can do to improve the efficiency of your home windows. The best place to start is with testing the efficiency of your windows to determine if it is time to invest in new windows, or if there are smaller improvements you can make to your existing windows. ... read more
Now that winter has reared its ugly head, it’s everyone’s mission to keep as warm as possible! 
The time to think about cooling is when it’s cool, not hot. So begin preparing for a cooler summer now and through the spring. Doing so will have you sitting pretty when the thermostat starts hitting its July and August highs. 
I know it's still autumn, but I saw Halloween stuff at the store yesterday, which can only mean that autumn is right around the corner, which means winter isn't too far behind! It got me thinking...how do you keep your house warmer without harming the environment and racking up a huge heat bill? 
Owning commercial property can be a very expensive proposition. Even though fairly good money is realized from the rents paid by tenants a large portion of that is taken away due to maintenance, leaving behind a very thin net profit. It can be even tougher if not all the space in the building is rented out. Landlords are always looking for ways to either cut or contain maintenance costs. Very few look to green alternatives for cost control and that is unfortunate. Going green is not necessarily a hippie Woodstock way of managing things. In fact, it is entirely possible for a landlord to reduce his or her carbon footprint and save money at the same time. There are a number of possible strategies and here are just a few:
