PowerPigg

Avoid Peak Hours to Save Electricity

2011-11-23T11:43:00.000-05:00

Did you know that utility providers often have different rates based on the time of day?

Most utility providers charge a premium for electricity between noon and 6 PM, when businesses are operating at maximum capacity.

Additionally, during the summer air conditioners and refrigerators are in high gear.

A great way to save money is by reducing your usage, particularly if you aren't at home during the day. Turning your refrigerator to a lower setting, turning the air conditioning down, and doublecheck to make sure all energy using equipment is turned off before you leave for work will save you substantially more during the day then at night.

Save tasks for off-peak hours such as running your dishwasher, washer, dryer and other items that use high amounts of power for short durations.

Smart Landscaping Leads to Energy-Saving

2011-06-01T14:10:00.001-04:00

Planting the right trees or shrubbery can beautify the outside of your home and, if strategically done, the proper landscaping can also save energy.

Creating natural shade and wind breaks could potentially reduce overall energy consumption by up to 30%. As little as three mature trees, placed properly, will save hundreds of dollars annually.

Keeping Cool

Reduce cooling costs in the summer:

Deciduous trees (ones that lose their leaves) create shade. Use these along east and west walls.
Shade outdoor air conditioner to increase energy efficiency.
Fences and shrubs can direct airflow into the home, creating natural ventilation.
Light colored landscaping can reflect heat away from the home.

Keeping Warm

Reduce heating costs and energy usage in the winter.

Evergreens make effective windbreaks all year round. Reduce wind flow around your property.
Shield your home from the wind with dense shrubbery, creating natural insulation.
Dark colored landscaping will absorb heat in winter, some of which will be transferred into the home.

Don't cost yourself money by making landscaping mistakes.

While trees and shrubs can lead the energy savings, planting them too close to air vents may cause your heating and cooling systems to operate less efficiently. When planting contact your utility company to avoid contact with underground pipes or wires. Remember to consider growth mature tree branches can interact with utility wires or dense roots can damage underground services. Ultimately, your goal is to save energy and money.

Stay Away from Solar Gain

2010-09-06T13:55:00.000-04:00

During the summer, keep the window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain, which will increase the temperature in your home. If you really enjoy the view, open your curtains in the early morning at breakfast and late at night during dinner.

Help Heat Your Home Without Electricity

2010-09-03T13:52:00.000-04:00

During the cooler seasons, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

Are Your Baseboard Heaters Clogged?

2010-09-01T13:42:00.000-04:00

Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed, especially before you turn on the heat in the fall or winter. Get down low on the floor with a flashlight and check all small crevices in the baseboard heater or raidiator for small items that may be jambed, such as small childrens toys or lint. Furniture, carpeting, or drapes should be at least a foot away from the heater.

Replace Your Leaking Faucets

2010-08-28T10:52:00.000-04:00

Repair leaky faucets promptly, water leaks can cause serious damages to walls, tiling, and floor coverings. You may not notice it, but a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time.

Four Ways to Save on Your Water Heating Bill

2010-08-26T10:51:00.000-04:00

There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient model.

Do You Turn the Thermostat Down When You Turn on the AC?

2010-08-22T11:47:00.001-04:00

Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

Fans Help Circulate Central Air

2010-08-18T08:31:00.000-04:00

Sizing is important for central air-conditioning systems, which need to be sized by professionals. If you have a central air system in your home, set the fan and cooling unit (compressor) to shut off at the same time. Instead of relying on the fan in the unit, use circulating fans in individual rooms.

Bigger Is Not Always Better

2010-08-14T10:28:00.000-04:00

Buying a bigger room air-conditioning unit won't make you more comfortable during the hot summer months. In fact, a room air conditioner that's too big for the area will perform less efficiently and less effectively than a properly sized unit.

Water Heater Maintenance

2010-08-10T13:22:00.000-04:00

Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer’s advice.

Radiator Reflectors: A Small Investment

2010-08-07T12:12:00.000-04:00

Radiator reflectors do just that, reflect the heat from the radiator out into the room, rather than heating the adjacent wall. They are inexpensive and easy to install.

Repairing Holes in Your Insulation

2010-08-04T13:02:00.000-04:00

Look for dirty spots in your insulation, which often indicate holes where air leaks into and out of your house. You can seal the holes with low-expansion spray foam made
for this purpose.

Foam Insulation for Apartments

2010-08-01T12:48:00.001-04:00

Foam insulation is typically is more expensive than fiber insulation. But it’s very effective in buildings with space limitations, such as apartments, and where higher R-values are needed.

Use higher density insulation on exterior walls, such as rigid foam boards, in cathedral ceilings and on exterior walls.

Filling Up Your Tank at the Right Time

2010-07-27T11:17:00.001-04:00

For summer, it is best to wait until you have a quarter tank, but don't push this any further. Doing this can extend your gas because you are hauling a lighter fuel load. It also gives you the opportunity to buy more gas if you run across a bargain.

Do the same thing in cold weather, and you run an increased risk of condensation in the fuel tank. Running a car with less than a quarter tank can shorten the life of the electric fuel pump and running on empty will often destroy the pump.

The Cool Team and How to Use Them Together

2010-07-21T10:16:00.000-04:00

Positioning a fan directly in front of your AC unit will spread cooler air throughout the room faster.

Angle the fan towards a common area where you spend a lot of time, the couch in the living room or at your desk.

Your AC Loves Closed Doors

2010-07-17T09:10:00.000-04:00

Right this moment, you are probably running your AC in this July heat. Look around, if you have doors open to other rooms, get up and close them. When you shrink the size of the area that needs to be cooled, your air conditioner will run less.

If you have a central cooling unit, close off the vents to those rooms.

Stick with Standard Air

2010-07-12T09:42:00.000-04:00

Most people don't know that standard compressed air is already around 78 percent nitrogen, and the differences between a tire filled with standard air and one filled with nitrogen are really not that noticeable. You won't see $20 in savings on gas when your car repair shop charges you $20 for a nitrogen refill.

Don't let "free nitrogen refills" lure you into a purchase of a new set of tires.

1 Minute Warm Up

2010-07-10T08:35:00.000-04:00

Even on the coldest of mornings, you should never need more than one minute to idle your car to let the oil warm up. Starting your morning commute slowly after a 1 minute idle state is the best way to warm up your car. It will save you gas in the long run.

If you need to drive your car fast as soon as you are done idling, let your car idle for one more minute. Generally the length of idle time needed depends on how fast you will be driving the car.

A Smaller Car Doesn't Always Save

2010-07-07T09:21:00.000-04:00

For the most part, a smaller vehicle will save a significant amount of money through lower gas usage.

If you plan on having your trunk full most of the time, or tying down cargo on the roof of the car on a daily basis, you may want to opt for a larger vehicle.

A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to buy a smaller car. However, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5%.

Defensive Driving Saves Gas

2010-07-02T11:28:00.001-04:00

Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking) wastes gas. It can lower your highway gas mileage 33% and city mileage 5%.

Defensive driving will save your vehicle gas and keep you safe. Check out a defensive driving class at your local DMV.

Overdrive Gearing Saves Wear and Tear on Car

2010-06-28T09:26:00.000-04:00

When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces wear. Sometimes the best way to save is to prevent wear and tear.

Motor Oil and Gas Mileage

2010-06-24T09:53:00.001-04:00

If you're tempted to use fancy smancy motor oil, hoping for better performance, think again.

Alwasy use the grade of motor oil recommended by your car's manufacturer.

A different motor oil can lower your gasoline mileage by 1%-2%, even if you think that motor oil is of better quality.

Air Checks Save 3.3% on Gas Mileage

2010-06-22T11:57:00.000-04:00

Keep tires properly inflated and aligned to improve your gasoline mileage by around 3.3%.

It is a myth that you can check the air pressure tires by measuring the tire diameter or by simply kicking them.

To check your tire pressure, you'll need a small, inexpensive tool called a tire pressure gauge. Also, double check your recommened tire pressure, which can be found in you car's manual or on a sticker in the driver's side doorjamb.

Before you can use the gauge, make sure you are parked near an air pump (available at most gas stations, free of charge) and be sure you can reach all four tires with the hose.

Unscrew the small plastic cap in the tire pressure hole and put it somewhere safe so you don't lose it. Check the air pressure with the tire gauge, then add air, and recheck pressure until you reach the correct amount.

Repeat for all four tires. Experts recommend checking your tire pressure every month.

Keep Car Maintenance Up and Costs Down

2010-06-20T10:52:00.000-04:00

Keeping your car maintenance up-to-date may seem inconvenient, but it will save energy and money in the long run.

Replace clogged air filters to improve gas mileage by as much as 10% and protect your engine.

Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or transmission problems.