More Energy Saving Tips
Part of the Green and Frugal Series of Posts
A number of reader’s have expressed interest and contributed excellent ideas on how to conserve energy. With increasing awareness of the costs, both to the environment and wallet, or wasting energy, manufacturers are also becoming more responsive and producing devices that are less energy pigs and also devices to help with conservation. Here are some energy saving devices or implements:
–Motion sensors for lights – I returned from a business trip where the entire hotel was configured with motion sensor lights. The corridor lights would stay off unless someone was walking by. It all seemed very efficient and workable and I wonder why people don’t incorporate more motion sensors in their homes or businesses. Keep in mind that for a hundred watt incandescent light bulb, the typical cost of running it 24 hours a day for a year is about $100. While most people don’t run each light bulb all day long, most households have lots of light bulbs.
–Timers – using timers to help control lights or to use the hot water heater during off peak hours can help to conserve costs. Although using power off-peak doesn’t use less, it does help to keep stress off the grid.
–Alternative light bulbs – including Cfl light bulbs and LED – The Cfl lightbulbs have improved over the ones available previously and tend to last longer (creating less disposal waste) than incandescent bulbs. Increasingly, I am seeing LED lights being made availble. These alternative bulbs can save around 70% of energy. The costs have generally come down in the last couple of years as the alternative bulbs become more popular.
–Insulation — As heating and cooling can account for almost 3/4 of a household’s energy use, improving insulation can be very helpful and applies to a range of areas: windows, doors, hot water heaters, dryers and other devices.
see other hints at Works for Me Wednesday
I’m looking forward to the time where REALLY good LED lights that aren’t a horrible color are available for an affordable price! It’s only a matter of time I suspect.
I wish just a few people singing the praises of CFL’s would also remember that, due to their mercury content, they are, in fact, toxic waste.
Hickchick – Most people who sing their praises do mention that they should be disposed of properly. Most neighborhood recycling centers now accept these and I believe the bis boxes Home Depot and Lowes are accepting them and sending them off for recycling. It is also worth noting that manufacturers of CFL’s as well as regular Fluorescent’s have been reducing the amount of Mercury in each bulb, along with bringing the cost down, and producing with a range of “temperatures” for different applications.
mub, I’ve seen new flashlights with white LEDs that are pretty affordable. I think it’s not too much longer for good household bulbs.
Dipster and Hickchick, good point on the waste. There are definitely places that handle it, but I agree it’s something we should be paying more attention to.