Avoiding the High Priced Power Grid: Save

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:46:00 +0000

Money in a Few Simple Steps With rising electricity prices, many people are looking for ways to save energy and reduce electricity usage. To lower your energy costs, there are a few important steps that should be taken. The majority of energy usage in the home comes from large electric motors, such as the ones found in refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners. These motors are responsible for compressing and pumping refrigerant through their respective system, and then moving a large volume of air through. The most important thing to reduce electrical usage from these appliances is to ensure that they are working at peak efficiency. In order to do this, you should inspect or replace any filters, and make sure that there is a free path of air getting to the appliance.

For a refrigerator or freezer, this means making sure that there is enough air space behind the unit for proper circulation to occur. If your refrigerator is too close to the wall, slide it out a few inches to provide more ventilation. This can have a large impact on the amount of time that those heavy motors are running. Make sure the area is free from dust and debris. The key is to maximize airflow.

When dealing with an air conditioner, you’ll want to check the return filter and make sure that it’s not clogged or dirty. Even a small amount of dust can have a large effect on the amount of air passing through the filter. When this occurs, the system will have to compensate by running longer, which translates into higher energy bills. Make sure your return ducts are unobstructed by furniture or drapery. The same principle applies, maximization of airflow.

Taking these simple, free steps can help lower your energy costs and save money on your electric bills. Before spending your hard earned cash on brand new appliances that promise to save you money, take a few moments to make sure that your existing ones are up to par.

Mail this post

Technorati Tags: electrial usage, lower your energy costs, save money on your electric bills, save money on your energy costs

Handmade Energy: Can it Work for You?

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:03:00 +0000

With the cost of energy rapidly on the rise, many people are wondering if it’s possible to find an alternative, homemade source of electrical power. The answer is yes. With a few simple household items and a single trip to your local hardware store, it is indeed possible to save money on your electrical bills by constructing your own solar powered cells. The most important item is the sheets that will be used for the panels themselves. For this, you’ll need to purchase large sheets of copper, so if you can find a local source for these, you can start your project. There are a variety of guides available online that detail the process to convert a standard piece of copper into a solar receptor using a household stove. While these panels won’t be capable of powering your entire house, they can be a fun project to construct in order to power outdoor lighting, or even illuminate that old pitch black shed in the backyard.

It is possible to use either a conventional rechargeable battery cell, but some innovative folks have designed and built their own cells as well, using nothing more than household items, such as a table salt, tap water, and a plastic jug. Don’t expect to power your A/C in the middle of summer from these homemade devices, but you can help do your part by moving towards alternative energy sources with a fun weekend project.

Mail this post

Technorati Tags: alternative energy, build your own energy, handmade energy, handmade solar energy, save money on your electric bills, solar energy

DIY » save money on your electric bills

Avoiding the High Priced Power Grid: Save

Handmade Energy: Can it Work for You?