Category: Electrical Tips

There is a great interest in making homes more energy efficient for two reasons: doing so helps conserve energy and lower one’s electricity bill. The latter is certainly of great concern to homeowners, and the former is of great interest to those who are beginning to see the value of conserving non-renewable resources by minimizing or eliminating wasteful electrical practices.

If you are serious about making your home more energy efficient, you might want to invest in the services of a professional electrician. A licensed electrician can identify areas in your home that can be upgraded, repaired or improved, and areas where a different practice might reduce your energy costs. Some of the things that an electrician may point out to you in your home can include:

• Upgrading your heating and cooling system

The largest consumption of energy, up to 44 percent of most utility bills, is often ascribed to heating and cooling systems for the home. So if you are really serious about making your home more energy efficient, you may consider making the investment in upgraded heating and cooling systems that consume less electricity. The initial investment you make will be well worth it if you consider the long-term savings you will make in your monthly utility bills.

• Consider natural ways of heating and cooling your home

Simply opening windows and letting sunlight and fresh air into the home can do wonders for the air quality inside your home, and it can also save you a bundle when it comes to the cost of having your air conditioner running for hours on end. You might also consider planting more trees around your home to provide additional shade during summer, and to offer additional natural protection against harsh weather during winter.…

“Energy efficiency” seems to be on everybody’s lips these days, but what does it really mean? And is it so different from the traditional ways by which homeowners seek to cut down on their energy costs?

Simply put, energy efficiency means essentially what the words mean – that while energy consumption is reduced, the result is still of the same level and quality. So for instance, if you wish to make the lights in your home more energy efficient, you can replace your old light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs to conserve energy and cut down on your energy costs and energy consumption without having to suffer through periods of downtime. In other words, the lights would still be turned on as usual, but energy-efficient lights can reduce the amount of energy consumed to do so. In this scenario, the steps taken towards energy efficiency could include investing in CFL or LED light bulbs.

Another step that homeowners can take in making their house more energy efficient is to ensure the proper insulation of their homes during winter. Heating and cooling systems have been shown to be the greatest energy consumers in most residential homes. But you waste energy utilized for heating if your house isn’t properly insulated. So investing in stronger insulation for your home can save you more money in the long run, due to the reduced energy consumption of your heating system. This includes insulation even in the rooms which we don’t often use, such as attics and basements.…

Green power is power derived from renewable energy sources that are also cleaner to use than the more traditional forms of energy sources like coal, gas, and nuclear power. The increasing worldwide awareness of environmental changes that are the result of our use of our natural resources are becoming a global concern, and so efforts have been made to increase the use of green power or green electricity.

The great thing about renewable sources of energy is that they utilize natural energy sources that are in no danger of being exhausted due to human use. Also, the impact on the environment of using these types of green power is minimal, if at all. Shifting to these types of energy sources can certainly go a long way because it reduces the air pollution that may otherwise result from the traditional use of coal power plants, for instance.

There are different types of green power, which can be differentiated based on the source:

Solar

Solar power utilizes energy produced from harnessing sunlight. This is done through the use of solar panels which collect and convert sunlight to electricity through the use of special semi-conductors.

Wind

You can probably recognize the sight of magnificent wind turbines dotting the landscape. When wind causes the blades of a wind turbine to turn, electricity is generated.

Hydroelectric

Hydroelectric power is generated from the energy produced by water currents that are coursed through specialized turbines. The faster the water current, the more electricity is generated.

Biomass

Biomass can also be a prime source of electricity. Biomass is sourced from various organic waste materials which are then converted into fuel through combustion. The process of converting biomass to fuel is what generates electricity.…

The great thing about constant innovations and technology is that they come up with great ideas all the time. For household appliances, for instance, there are now available energy-saving appliances which are designed to consume less electricity as compared to older models. This can be a significant way for homeowners to reduce their energy costs, considering that a good portion of a home’s electricity bill goes to the power consumed by electronic appliances.

Eventually, you and your family may decide to replace some of your older appliances with newer models. When you do so, don’t just look for all the interesting new features that a particular appliance may have. Consider looking for energy-saving appliances instead, and rest assured that the investment you are making into this particular appliance will also translate to huge energy savings in the months and years to come.

So what do you look for in energy efficient appliances?

Look for the Energy Star label. An Energy Star appliance is one that has been certified by the U.S. Department of Energy as one that uses around 10 to 50 percent less electricity than a non-Energy Star appliance.

These types of appliances are often more expensive than the regular household appliance, but considering the huge energy savings, and the consequent reduction of your electricity bill, this is certainly a worthwhile investment to make. And the good thing about it is that these types of premium appliances can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.…