Simple Tips to Slay Those Energy Vampires
Friday, October 21, 2011
With colder temperatures upon us, it’s a fitting time to discuss simple no and low-cost actions you can take to reduce energy use and costs.
And, since we’re in the Halloween season, you also want to tackle your home’s “energy vampires,” which are electronic devices that continuously draw power even though they’re not turned on.
The average home has about 40 such devices, and they include TVs, DVD players, video game consoles, portable chargers, and MP3 players, to name a few. They can add more than $125 a year in energy costs.
So what can you do to slay these digital devils?
-- Install a smart power strip, which acts as a central turn-off point and can cut supply to vampire energy sources but provide continuous power to devices like a DVR that require regular digital system updates. You can pick one up at most electronic stores.
-- Enable the ENERGY STAR power management feature on your home computer and monitor, so they go into energy-saving mode when not in use.
-- Unplug your chargers (cell phone, camera, battery and power adapters) or use a smart strip to turn them all off after use.
You don’t have to spend much money to slay energy vampires or on improving your home’s general energy efficiency.
-- Perform an online energy audit to better pinpoint how your home uses energy and where potential savings exist. Simply register your LG&E or KU account, then click on "Online Energy Audit." After keying in some basic information about your home, you'll receive a 19-page report with energy-saving recommendations based on your home and your actual energy use.
-- Request an on-site energy audit and for $25 a trained energy specialist will examine your home and use specialized equipment to help identify air leaks and other areas where you could improve your home’s energy efficiency. After the audit, you'll receive energy-saving products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and water restrictors to help get you started, as well as a customized report detailing suggested energy-saving measures and the estimated costs for making those improvements.
-- Use a programmable thermostat and gain better control over your energy usage. According to ENERGY STAR, if used properly, a programmable thermostat can save up to $180 a year.
-- Adjust your thermostat down two degrees in the winter and up two degrees in the summer and save up to $45 a year.
-- Turn off all unnecessary lights and use compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.
-- Seal and save. As much as 20 percent of air flow is lost through leaks in your ductwork. Sealing leaks around the house with caulk, spray foam, and weather-stripping can improve home comfort while reducing overall energy costs.
-- Check your HVAC system's air filter regularly and replace as necessary according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. A dirty filter will slow air flow, making your system work harder to keep you warm in winter.
And, since we’re in the Halloween season, you also want to tackle your home’s “energy vampires,” which are electronic devices that continuously draw power even though they’re not turned on.
The average home has about 40 such devices, and they include TVs, DVD players, video game consoles, portable chargers, and MP3 players, to name a few. They can add more than $125 a year in energy costs.
So what can you do to slay these digital devils?-- Install a smart power strip, which acts as a central turn-off point and can cut supply to vampire energy sources but provide continuous power to devices like a DVR that require regular digital system updates. You can pick one up at most electronic stores.
-- Enable the ENERGY STAR power management feature on your home computer and monitor, so they go into energy-saving mode when not in use.
-- Unplug your chargers (cell phone, camera, battery and power adapters) or use a smart strip to turn them all off after use.
You don’t have to spend much money to slay energy vampires or on improving your home’s general energy efficiency.
-- Perform an online energy audit to better pinpoint how your home uses energy and where potential savings exist. Simply register your LG&E or KU account, then click on "Online Energy Audit." After keying in some basic information about your home, you'll receive a 19-page report with energy-saving recommendations based on your home and your actual energy use.
-- Request an on-site energy audit and for $25 a trained energy specialist will examine your home and use specialized equipment to help identify air leaks and other areas where you could improve your home’s energy efficiency. After the audit, you'll receive energy-saving products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and water restrictors to help get you started, as well as a customized report detailing suggested energy-saving measures and the estimated costs for making those improvements.
-- Use a programmable thermostat and gain better control over your energy usage. According to ENERGY STAR, if used properly, a programmable thermostat can save up to $180 a year.
-- Adjust your thermostat down two degrees in the winter and up two degrees in the summer and save up to $45 a year.
-- Turn off all unnecessary lights and use compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.
-- Seal and save. As much as 20 percent of air flow is lost through leaks in your ductwork. Sealing leaks around the house with caulk, spray foam, and weather-stripping can improve home comfort while reducing overall energy costs.
-- Check your HVAC system's air filter regularly and replace as necessary according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. A dirty filter will slow air flow, making your system work harder to keep you warm in winter.
Happy hunting, and until next time, keep using energy wisely.
