Posts Tagged recycling

Consumer Reports recently listed 4 strategies to lower your energy bill by $1,500.  You can read the original article by following this link: Cut Your Energy Bills.

Heating & Cooling - $550 savings

• Eliminate leaks
• Check insulation levels
• Correct ductwork
• Lock double-hung windows to prevent air from escaping
• Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day
• Install a programmable thermostat

We’ve followed the above suggestions.  We also close the blinds during the summer to cut down on air conditioner use.  One of my friends installed a whole-house fan to eliminate his AC use.

Water Consumption - $400 savings

• Stop drips
• Lower the water heater temperature to 120°
• Insulate hot water pipes
• Insulate your water heater
• Don’t pre-rinse dishes
• Install aerators to faucets

You can add “take shorter showers” to save water.  Also, when you run the tub faucet to warm the water, save the cold water for flushing or watering plants instead of letting it run down the drain.

Recycling - $250 savings

• Use RecycleBank on a pay-as-you-go basis
• Return your deposit bottles
• Donate unwanted items for a tax break
• Start a compost bin
• Buy reusable grocery bags

You can usually get credit for your recycled printer ink cartridges.  Staples was offering $3 back per ink cartridge when you buy a new cartridge.

Electricity Use - $300 savings

• Use power strips to shut off “vampire” appliances
• Set your computer to hibernate
• Turn off lights when leaving a room
• Change to CFL bulbs
• Replace old appliances with more energy-efficient models

You could also dine by candlelight if you’re the romantic type.  We have our lights set on timers to reduce energy consumption.  You could use this to see how much juice your appliances are using:

Kill-A-Watt Electricity Usage Monitor

What steps have you taken to cut your energy bill?

• Self-Reliance Series #5A: Prepping Your Home for an Emergency: Shelter, Water, and Fire Photo by howieluvzus This is Part 5A of my self-reliance series.  I hope that you've enjoyed the first 4 parts.  If you haven't read them, you can do so by clicking on the following links: Self-Reliance Series #1: A Personal Survival Kit (PSK) Self-Reliance Series #2: An Office Survival......
• Our Air Conditioner Broke The other day, the Northeast was hit by a heatwave.  It's rare to have consecutive days in the 90's where I live, and the forecast was calling for a week-long blast of heat and humidity.  For someone like me, who can sweat in the shower, this was not going to......
• Wal-Mart Check-Cashing Scheme I saw a TV commercial recently that portrayed a young couple, seemingly with dual incomes, raving about their ability to cash their paychecks at Wal-Mart.  This was wrong on so many levels.  My first thought was: Don't they have a bank account? My second thought was: If they do......

• How to Fix Your Weak Windows - Installing Storm Windows [/caption]When it comes to windows, people generally have one of three things in mind. Decor, energy savings, and protection from the elements. What if you could install windows that served up a dose of all three, saving you money on energy, protecting you from storms, and adding to the design......
• 10 Ways to Prove that Frugal Living is Really Green Living in Disguise. I'm probably the most unlikely Green Living advocate on the planet. I'm an advocate of offshore drilling, I voted for Bush in 2004 (bad call I know), and I drive a crossover SUV. Yet, more and more these days, I find myself being slowly taken in by the tree hugger......
• Ideas To Save On Energy Expenses By Draught Proofing Your Sash Windows You can save on your energy bills by draught proofing your sash windows very easily. A home loses over 25% of its total heat due to draughts. Spending some time to make your home energy efficient will save you time and money with minimal expense and effort. There are......