Nov 19, 2015 | Energy Efficiency
Your holidays should be memorable for all the right reasons – visits with family and friends and the continuing of beloved traditions – but not for the size of your energy bill.
We all know the year-end holidays can be a time of heavy electricity use, especially if you’re entertaining or decorating. These seven tips from PPL Electric Utilities can help you keep your usage and your costs under control.
1. Get the LED out. Whether you’re using them in living room lamps or holiday decorations, LED bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than conventional bulbs and last up to 20 times longer. Make this the season to switch to LEDs, if you haven’t already. (If your holiday decorations are wearing out and showing their age, a new set of LEDs may also be safer.)
2. Stay warm – and smart. Heating accounts for more than 30 percent of a typical home’s energy bill – the largest single cost. Set your thermostat at 68 degrees for energy savings, and use a programmable thermostat to lower it overnight or when no one is home. And remember: Cranking up the thermostat won’t make your house warm up faster, since your heating system runs at the same rate, regardless of the temperature setting.
3. STAR power. If you’re buying electronics as a holiday gift, or updating your own appliances, look for devices with the ENERGY STAR® label. These are the most energy-efficient models available. To learn more about ENERGY STAR-rated products, visit www.energystar.gov.
4. Don’t peek. The pie’s doing fine. Your oven temperature could drop by 25 to 50 degrees when you open the door, forcing the oven to work harder and produce more heat. So keep those glimpses few and far between.
5. Scrub now, save later. Keep oven surfaces and drip pans as clean as possible. A clean stove and oven will heat efficiently; a dirty stove and oven will use more energy than necessary to reach the desired temperature. Speaking of which …
6. A keen time to clean. …got a self-cleaning oven? Start it right after you’re done baking. Self-cleaning ovens reach temperatures of 850 degrees, and the heat already in the oven can give them a head start. (Just make sure to take the cookies out first.)
7. Slow and low. Slow cookers and microwaves are energy-efficient alternatives to firing up the oven. During the holidays, look for recipes that take advantage of these appliances. Use them for quick, easy weeknight meals.
More energy-saving tips for homes and businesses are available in the Save Energy & Money section of our website.
Aug 27, 2015 | Energy Efficiency
It’s back-to-school season – time to make sure you have bookbags, lunch boxes and other supplies needed for a successful return to school.
It’s also worth taking time in advance to check out the space where your kids will be doing their homework.
While we’ve all pressed the kitchen table into double duty from time to time, kids should ideally have a separate place to work that’s well-lit, comfortable and free from distractions.
But “well-lit” doesn’t have to mean “energy hog.” Here are tips to save energy in your kids’ homework spaces, as well as other parts of your house:
- Switch to light-emitting diode bulbs where possible. LEDs use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 20 times longer than traditional incandescents. Because they’re so energy-efficient, LEDs can save you up to $135 over the life of the light bulb.
- When buying new lighting fixtures or bulbs, look for the ENERGY STAR® label. They are the most energy-efficient on the market.
- Keep light bulbs clean. Dirt can absorb up to 50 percent of the light.
If your child has a computer in his or her homework area, make sure the “sleep” mode is enabled. The computer will switch automatically to a low-energy mode when they are away, cutting energy usage by more than half. And, for extra credit, remind your child to turn off the computer when they’re done using it.
Our website features many more tips to help you get an A-plus in Energy Use 101 this year.
Mar 17, 2015 | Energy Efficiency
This St. Patrick’s Day, along with green food, beverages and attire, you can go green at home. There are so many gadgets on the market that can help you save electricity. I personally love finding tech toys that make saving energy easy, convenient and fun!
I’ve put together a short list of gadgets that are easy to find, easy to install and make saving energy a no-brainer.
Kill-A-Watt Electricity Usage Monitor
Did you ever wonder how much energy your gadgets use – or if they’re using energy even when not in use? All you need to do is plug this monitor into an outlet and plug your electronic device into it. You can measure its energy use and play detective to find out where you might be wasting energy and where you are using the most energy. Pretty cool! Uncover your own energy-saving opportunities or find out what Project Envolve families discovered about their energy use with the Kill-A-Watt monitor.
Programmable or Smart Thermostats
Thermostats can control half of your home’s energy. Half! That’s a pretty big deal. A correctly programmed thermostat can save about 20 percent on your heating and cooling bill, according to nest.com. These thermostats give you total control. You can program the thermostat to avoid wasting energy heating or cooling your home when you’re asleep or away. You can save about 1-3 percent per degree, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Learn what settings are recommended by the DOE.
Smart Power Strips
Take your power strips to the next level. Smart strips work especially well for entertainment centers. No more gaming systems and accessories drawing phantom power 24/7. Smart power strips will automatically turn your DVD player, game system and other peripherals off when you shut off the television. And you have the ability to always power the DVR. If you have a regular power strip, simply turn the power strip off to turn off all the devices at the same time. Devices left on are wasting energy and your money.
LED Light Bulbs
Replace your light bulbs with LEDs. They use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 20 times longer. And because they produce light without producing much extra heat, they’re cooler than traditional incandescent bulbs. Through our E-power programs, customers can receive instant in-store discounts on select ENERGY STAR LEDs. Find a participating retailer near you.
Slow Cooker or Microwave
Switch up how you cook and spruce up your recipe repertoire. By using smaller, more efficient appliances like slow cookers and microwaves, you can use less electricity for food preparation. Plus you’ll save time, too. These appliances are very versatile and have the ability to make appetizers, entrees and even desserts.
Occupancy Sensors
If you tend to forget to turn the lights off, consider installing occupancy sensors. They’ll automatically turn the lights on when you enter the room and off when it’s empty. They’re great for the powder room or laundry room.
Solar Exterior Lights
Spring and summer are right around the corner. You can find all sorts of walkway lights and decorative lights to highlight your landscape.
ENERGY STAR
Are you in the market for any new appliances or electronics? Buy ENERGY STAR. You’ll save energy for years to come.
Going green around the house St. Patrick’s Day is easy thanks to these energy-saving gadgets and electronics. How are you going green?
