Save Energy & Money NOW!

(Page 7 of 8)

October/November 2001
By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Consolidate your system. Investing in internal computer applications (faxes, answering machines, etc.) will not only save you money in the purchase price, but they will also use less energy than running several stand-alone appliances.

RELATED CONTENT

Logical Landscaping

With a little planning and a lot of patience, good landscaping does a lot more than just pretty-up the homestead. The proper placement of just three trees can save the average home $100 to $250 annually. Check with a local nursery about the best types of trees to plant in your area.

Using trees or shrubs to provide shade for your air conditioner's compressor will help it work 10 percent more efficiently than one in full sun.

Deciduous trees will shade your home from the hot summer sun, while skill allowing winter sun to warm the house. Evergreen trees and shrubs are best planted to the north and west sides of your house to deflect winter winds.

Shade trees and/or trellised vines can reduce external temperature by 10 to 20 degrees. Planting them on the west and east sides of your house will absorb sunlight before it gets to your windows, walls or roof.

Strategically plant trees and shrubs to block the sun at various times of day. Low-growing trees and bushes can be planted to block out early morning and late afternoon sun. Moderate-sized trees can block late morning and early evening sun. Tall trees planted close to the house can shade the roof during midday hours.

Beyond the Checklist

For the most up-to-date information on where to find the most energy-efficient appliances and how to use them best, check out the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

The guide is full of tips, diagrams, charts, explanations and lists on al most every facet of home life that involves energy use: food storage, cooking, dishwashing, heating and cooling systems, and much more.

Finding Phantom Loads

Many appliances, such as recharging adaptors, clocks and computers, use electricity even when they're turned off. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory calculates that these energy leaks account for 5 percent of total domestic energy consumption, or $3 billion per year. Idle TVs and VCRs alone cost us $1 billion a year, or $30 per household. To avoid this hidden loss, look for appliances that feature the Energy Star rating. These appliances have a sleep feature that will automatically power down the appliance when it's not in use.

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Next >>
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.