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kyro298 Glider Sprinkles      CO, USA 15262 Posts I know it's an initial investment, but new windows can make a huge difference in keeping heat/cool in or out. We have been switching to the energy efficient bulbs as the others burn out as well. Energy efficient appliances can replace your current ones when it's time, lower the temp on your water heater, close vents/doors in areas you aren't using, I really only turn lights on when the sun goes down with any room that has a window, lots of clothes can be washed in cold water, if you have newer appliances, your Utility company may give you rebates or discounts for using them, make sure you don't have leaky faucets, hoses, etc..., only water your lawn as needed. All I know is having a new house with energy efficient appliances, new windows, etc... our utility bill is LOWER than our last house and we grew by 2,000 sq. ft! OR you could just live in a tent. LOL glidersaver Starting Member 2 Posts My wife and I picked up new curtains that had the "blackout" panel with it and our bill is $30.00 cheaper than the month before and the house has stayed much cooler. We keep them pulled in the daytime while we are at work and it has really helped!!!!! MRattan Starting Member 7 Posts Take a couple days off, unplug everything and go backpacking! lol Just kidding. Although it does sound nice right?!?! There are companies out there that actually rent solar panels out now at very fair prices that will save on you electricity costs. Here's an article about one of the companies. www.worldwatch.org/node/4828
500 bucks to start and a per kilo-watt charge after that. I've also heard of programs where you can actually sell power back to the electricity company. Of course you'd have to have a way to produce it first. Tate and Jodi Super Glider IA, USA 393 Posts i don't know if this will be helpful, but i picked this up at the fair. it is labeled mythbusters
Myth: setting your thermostat back during the day doesn't save money b/c your heating system has to work hard when you get home to warm the house back up (or cool it down) Rule of thumb: dpending on the climate where you live and the fficiency of your home, including levels of insulation, you should be able to set your thermostat back several degrees for 8 hrs a day which ill reduce the number of times your heating or cooling system needs to cycle on during the day - and that saves significant energy. it's true that when you come home and turn up your thermostat, your heating aor cooling system will run for a longer pd of time to get your home up to its optimal temperature. but you'll still have saved more energy (and money) over the 8 hours your system worked less intensely. so go ahead and set your thermostat back Recommendation: turn your thermostat back several degress every night and when you leave home. Better still-install a programmable thermostat. it will remember to turn the thermostat up an down based on you schedule, so you never to have to remember. this can save you about $100 a year.
Myth: replacing your old windows is the most cost-effective inergy improvement you can make to reduce you home energy bills. Rule of thumb: replacing windows is not the most cost0effectie way to reduce your energy bills. the actual amount of your savings depends on how leaky your old windows are, how many windows your older home has, how tight and wel-insulated your home is, and how efficiently the heating system operates. the biggest benefits from replacing windows are improved comfort , aesthetics, and added resale value. Recommendations: if you'r planning to replace your windows, make sure you get ENERGY STAR (R) windows. this small incremental increase in cost will pay you back in lower energy bills. as ENERGY STAR (R) rated windows are significantly more energy efficient than windows without the ES label.
myth: basements and crawlspaces don't need to be insulated, since they are primarily below the grade and we don't live in them. FACT: according to the Department of Energy, an uninsulated foundation can result in a large heat loss from an otherwise tight sealed, well insulated home. it can also make rooms below grade uncomfortable. foundation insulation can result in lower heating requirements and may help avoid water vapor condensation problems. however, a poorly designed foundation insulation system can cause many problems such as radon infiltration, moisture problems, and inset infestation.
Myth: Tightening up ductwork doesn't save energy bc the ducts are normally located inside the house, so any air that leaks out will leak into the house anyway. FACT: in homes that have a forced air furnace, sealing leaky ducts will put heat where you want it, making you feel more comfortable quickly when the heating or cooling kicks in. sealing ductwork also will balance the system so it operates more efficiently and more safely. fixing ductwork problems pays multiple dividends. when sealing ductwork in places that are accessible, using mastic (a gooey grey substance that is put on ductwork joints with a paint brush) rather than duct tape )which often starts to come off within a year), is your best choice. sorry bout sloppy typing  edited to fix the lines salamander Super Glider WA, USA 273 Posts Sure. I have adjusted my driving habits but would love to learn more tips.  Right now I drive 65 on the freeway instead of the 70 speedlimit, try and coast a ways before coming to a stop, slower accelerations, and try and avoid driving. I have read that getting gas in the mornings is best because it is colder and you get a little more gas that way (it is denser if I remember right). Tate and Jodi Super Glider IA, USA 393 Posts Green driving tips from greenercars.org * Avoid "jack rabbit" starts and aggressive driving. Flooring the gas pedal not only wastes gas, it leads to drastically higher pollution rates. One second of high-powered driving can produce nearly the same volume of carbon monoxide emissions as a half hour of normal driving. * Think ahead. Try to anticipate stops and let your vehicle coast down as much as possible. Avoid the increased pollution, wasted gas, and wear on your brakes created by accelerating hard and braking hard. * Follow the speed limit! Driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph will lower your fuel economy by about 10 percent, and can dramatically increase tailpipe pollution in many vehicles. * When possible, plan your trips to avoid rush hour. Stop-and-go driving burns gas and increases emissions of smog-forming pollutants. * Combine trips. Warmed-up engines and catalysts generate much less air pollution, so combining several short trips into one can make a big difference. * Take a load off. Carrying around an extra 100 pounds reduces fuel economy by about 1 percent. Take a few moments to unload your cargo area. * If your vehicle has it, use overdrive gear at cruising speeds. When driving a manual transmission, shift up as soon as possible. Running in a higher gear decreases the rpm and will decrease fuel use and engine wear. * Try using the vents and opening windows to cool off before you turn on the air conditioner. Air conditioner use increases fuel consumption, increases NOx emissions in some vehicles, and involves environmentally damaging fluids. * Unlike many older cars and trucks, modern vehicles don't need to warm up and they have automatic chokes, so you don't need to step on the gas pedal before starting the engine. Maintenance Tips * Keep your tires properly inflated. Tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended for your vehicle; this information is often printed inside the door frame or in your owner's manual. For every 3 pounds below recommended pressure, fuel economy goes down by about 1 percent. Tires can lose about 1 pound of pressure in a month, so check the air pressure regularly and always before going on a long trip or carrying heavy loads. Underinflated tires can also detract from handling, safety, and how long the tires will last. * Buy low-rolling-resistance (LRR) replacement tires. Switching to a typical set of replacement tires lowers a vehicle's fuel economy as much as 4 percent. LRR tires, on the other hand, are specially designed to improve a vehicle's fuel economy. Most major tire manufacturers now produce LRR models, so when it comes time to replace your tires, seek out a set of LRRs. * Check your own fuel economy every few weeks. If you notice it slipping, that could mean you have a minor problem with the engine or your brakes. Using this advance warning, you can fix problems before you have a breakdown on the road. * Get a tune-up. Whether you do it yourself or go to a mechanic, a tune-up can increase your fuel economy. Follow owner's manual guidelines. Be sure to check for worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, and low transmission fluid; have your wheels aligned and tires rotated; and replace the air filter if needed. Make sure all used vehicle fluids are recycled or disposed of safely. * Change the oil. In addition to making your car or truck last longer, replacing the oil and oil filter regularly will also help fuel economy. Check your owner's manual for specific recommendations about how often to change. Ask the service station if they recycle used oil, or if you do it yourself, take your old oil to someplace that does recycle. Ask for recycled oil as a replacement. * Have your vehicle's emission control system checked periodically. Take it in for service if an instrument panel warning light comes on. Prudent Parking * Park in the shade in summer to keep your car cool and minimize evaporation of fuel. * If you have a garage, use it as much as possible to keep your car warm in winter and cool in summer. * If you have to park outdoors, windshield shades can cut down on summer heat and help keep the frost off in the winter. kyro298 Glider Sprinkles CO, USA 15262 Posts
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Oh and I also set my thermostat at 78 during the day we wait till around 7pm before we start cooling it down so it does not work so hard. And at night we sleep at 73 or 72. Also check where your vents blow if they blow towards your thermostat you need to turn them so you get a proper run time on your ac.
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