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by Power Building Products' in-store industrial/residential electrician
The most important step any homeowner can take to reduce the amount of electricity used (and the subsequent greenhouse gases produced at the power plant) is to immediately reduce the amount of electricity wasted. However, the average person is probably already trying to save power. They only run the dishwasher when it's full, they watch the air conditioner thermostat settings carefully, etc - and still the power bill continues to climb. What else can be done? We'll present a few easy and sustainable steps you can take with simple hardware items to reduce wasted electricity and lower your power bill, by discussing a few of the most likely waste culprits. Electrical power is purchased from the power company. You'll know you're living green when you notice lower power bills and more green in your pocket. Reduce Your Water Heater Losses:A 40-gallon water heater can consume more than 50 dollars worth of electricity each month. How can this cost be reduced? Quite simply, much of this power is often wasted by inadequate insulation, unneeded heating cycles, and improper water flow control. An inefficient water heating system has to work longer and harder than an efficient system to deliver a steady demand of hot water... and you're paying it overtime! Insulate your exposed water piping Pipe insulation will reduce the amount of energy wasted to the surrounding air, resulting in water temperatures around three degrees warmer than you'd get from an uninsulated pipe. You'll be able to immediately reduce the temperature settings of your water heater thermostats - with no noticeable difference in water temperature at the tap. You'll also save water, because you won't have to wait as long for hot water when you open a faucet or showerhead.
Make sure to buy enough pipe insulation to replace the worn coverings on your air conditioning condensation lines. Don't lose precious heating and cooling watts to the outside air.
Keep foam insulation at least eight inches away from the flue on gas water heaters, or wrap the pipe spirally with an un-faced fiberglass insulation. Secure the insulation with metal tie wire, fiberglass tape, or a comparable noncombustible fastening method. Install an insulating water heater jacket to prevent the heat in the tank from radiating away. | | 60" x 90" R10 FIBERGLASS WATER HEATER JACKET
Thermwell Products
Model: SP60
Do it Best SKU: 429361
Online Sale Price: $34.99
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Adjust the temperature settings on your water heater thermostats. You wouldn't leave your living room's heating and cooling thermostat set on 90 degrees year-round. You adjust your temperature settings to match the seasons and to find a comfortable and economical compromise between inside and outside air. Why not do the same with your water heater thermostats? Seasonal water temperature reductions can save you big in the summers - when few very hot showers are desired. You're paying for heat you aren't using!
Make sure the power to the water heater is switched off at the electrical breaker box, then remove the two access panels covering your water heater's thermostats (one near the top of the tank, and one near the bottom.) 
Adjust the temperature settings, replace the insulation and covers, then switch the breaker back on.
Make sure the water heater breaker is labeled properly. Switch the breaker off before family vacations and trips away, and you'll save energy and money.
Why not carry that idea a step further? If family members are rarely home during the day (or you don't normally take showers or wash dishes at three AM) install an electrical timer to switch the water heater off when you don't need it. An electrical timer could help you recover up to a third of your water heating costs each month. It's an investment that'll quickly pay for itself many times over.  | | WATER HEATER TIMER
Intermatic
Model: WH21
Do it Best SKU: 531080
Online Price: $44.99
| This water heater timer automatically schedules hot water only when needed. Turns water heater On during high-use periods; Off during low-use periods. Can save up to 33% on water heating costs. Up to 12 On and Off settings per day. External manual override switch. "On" indicator light. 240V/6250W, 60Hz. UL listed. |
Install Flow-Reducing Aerators
One simple and inexpensive way to save on water heating costs is to automatically reduce the amount of hot water your family can use per minute. The US Federal Energy Policy Act of 1992 requires all faucet and shower fixtures to have a flow rate of no more than 2.2 gallons per minute at 60 PSI. Older homes with older plumbing fixtures likely won't meet this vital energy-saving requirement. The days of cheap and unlimited resources are gone! Install flow reducing aerators in older faucets throughout your home, and you'll save water and water-heating costs.
A ten-minute shower with a modern showerhead consumes about 20 gallons of water at 2 gallons per minute. Older shower fixtures can consume far more.
Install an efficient water-saving shower head and you won't have to shorten your showers to save money. | | DELUXE SHOWERHEAD
DoItBest Brand
Model: 403174
Do it Best SKU: 403174 Online Price: $14.49
| | This showerhead features a unique throttle valve which allows a range from full intensity to almost off. It is designed so that there will be a small flow when in the Off position. This adjustable flow setting will maintain the temperature selected without having to reset the faucets. It's perfectly convenient for saving water while soaping, shaving, and shampooing. |
Reduce your heating and air conditioning losses:
Check the filters in your furnace often. A clogged filter will reduce the airflow, making the system work overtime - and you're paying for the work. Filters are cheap -- electrical power isn't.
Keep your compressor coils clean and working at peak efficiency. A soft coil brush on a bendable wire form is used to clean this sort of equipment. Clean the outside air conditioning coils. Inside, you'll want to clean the A-coil in your furnace. Don't forget the coils and cooling fan blades on your refrigerator. They're often overlooked, but keeping your fridge's mechanical parts clean can keep it running like new. Use the special coil brush to gently remove the accumulated dust and dirt. Of course, always disconnect the power before servicing any piece of electrical equipment.  | | REFRIGERATOR COIL BRUSH
Rubbermaid Brand
Model: G156
Do it Best SKU: 612871 Online Price: $5.29
| | Tapered twisted-in-wire empryl bristles attached to a handle for cleaning of refrigerator and air conditioning coils. 27-1/2" overall. |
A bendable coil brush also does wonders for the cleaning of your air handler's squirrel-cage blowers. A clean fan will move air far better than a dusty fan. Use a cleaning solution specially designed for coils and fins if you need to remove accumulated grime.  | | 32oz COIL CLEEN
Lundmark Wax
Model: 3226F32-6
Do it Best SKU: 604909 Online Price: $7.29
| | Air conditioner fin and coil cleaner. Instantly removes dirt and grime. Increases cooling efficiency. |
Make sure you aren't losing valuable conditioned air to the environment. Buy an inexpensive caulking gun and install a latex and silicone caulking around the exterior of windows, doors, and gaps in the siding to fill any voids. Exterior caulks are available in a wide variety of colors to match the finish color of your home, so you won't have to repaint after repairing a gap. Use an ergonomic gun and the job will seem lighter, making for better and more efficient work. You'll waste less caulk and save money.  | | 10oz ERGO COMPOSITE CAULKING GUN
Dripless, Inc.
Model: ETS2000
Do it Best SKU: 772863 Online Price: $12.99
| | The model No. ETS2000 is engineered to provide superior performance due to its many enhanced features including a precision cutter with a viewing port to check the angle of the cut, an extra-long clean out rod that snaps in place when not in use, and a rotating barrel for corners and hard-to-reach places. The rugged composite construction weighs up to 40% less than other models. The ergonic grip has been designed to keep the wrist in a natural and balanced position. 12:1 ratio is recommended for acrylics, silicones, elastomerics, or latex. Accomodates standard 10 oz. cartridge. |
A simple sweep strip installed on the inside bottom of old exterior doors, and a cellular-rubber weatherstrip on the closing edges of windows and doors can eliminate drafts and dramatically reduce your heating and cooling bills.
Seal the wall plates on receptacles and switches - anywhere a draft can enter the room. Disconnect power, remove the receptacle trim plate, press the insulating seal in place, then reinstall the plate and restore power.
Give your heating and air conditioning contractor a call, and ask him about installing an EnergyStar programmable setback thermostat. It works on the same principle as the water heater timer, and will automatically save money year-round if properly programmed.  | | 5-1-1 PROGRAM THERMOSTAT
Honeywell International
Model:YRTH740001002
Do it Best SKU:438002
Online Price: $79.99
| | Vision conventional 5-1-1 day programmable. For heating and air conditioning systems. Universal thermostat: Compatible with gas, oil, electric, heat pump, and millivolt heating and cooling systems. Adaptive intelligent recovery (smart response). Menu driven programming. Filter change reminder and low battery indicator. Armchair programming. 4 daily periods. EnergyStar rated. Precise temperature control (+/- 1 F.). Easy-to-read back-lit display (on demand). Soft-key controls, simultaneously displays both room temperature and set point. Easy installation. Requires 2 "AAA" batteries (not included). Off-white. |
Reduce Cooking losses:Clean or replace the filter on your vent hood and remove the greasy buildup from the fan blades. It'll move more air and save on air conditioning costs. Dip a wiping cloth in a degreasing cleaner suitable for plastics, switch the vent hood off, remove the filter, and wipe both sides of the plastic fan blades carefully. Replace damaged drip pans on your range to keep your unit clean and operating properly. Don't line old rusted drip pans with aluminum foil. This can reflect too much heat and damage the burner elements, shortening their lifespan. The money you saved on a drip pan could end up costing you a new burner element.  | 6" SMALL DRIP PAN
Range Kleen
Model: 105-A
Do it Best SKU: 625648
Online Price: $2.79
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Style D. Drip Pans. Fits most hinged electric ranges including GE, Hotpoint, and Kenmore.  | 8" LARGE DRIP PAN
Range Kleen
Model: 106-A
Do it Best SKU: 625700 Online Price: $3.79
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Don't open the oven door to check the progress of your cooking. Whenever possible, use the window in the oven door. Replace your oven's light bulb whenever it burns out. You'll open the oven door less often, and you'll save on cooking costs.
 | | 40-WATT APPLIANCE BULB
GE Private Label
Model: 87478 40A15/CD-DIB
Do it Best SKU:514845
Online Price: $1.79
| | Appliance bulb for use in refrigerators, freezers, and ovens |
Other cooking tips for saving money:- Use the least amount of water possible when cooking veggies. When you cook with water, you're heating water - which in turn heats the food. Too much water means too much energy is being wasted.
- Use a cooking pot that fits the size of the burner. If you see red around the edges of the pot, that's cooking the air... not the food.
- If you have a self-cleaning oven, use the cleaning cycle sparingly. Try to plan your cleaning for immediately after you've used the oven for baking. Why waste the (expensive) heat that's already there?
- Use your outdoor grill as often as possible in the summertime. Outdoor cooking keeps all that heat outside, makes the air conditioner's work easier, and you can't argue with the great taste of the food.
Reduce your electrical lighting losses:About ten to fifteen percent of each month's power bill is spent lighting your home. A normal incandescent bulb is inefficient, radiating much of its wattage as heat energy. Use energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps instead! Compact fluorescents give you more visible light for less money (around thirty dollars saved over the lifetime of each lamp, per lamp) and will last far longer than conventional bulbs. Less heat will be produced, reducing your summer cooling costs significantly. In addition, you'll be doing your part for the environment. The energy savings will mean less load on the power plant and fewer greenhouse gases.
The US Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program estimates that if every home in America replaced just ONE incandescent light bulb with an EnergyStar compact fluorescent, it would save about six-hundred million dollars this year and reduce greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
Don't be fooled by cheap imports, which can offer a low initial purchase price but very little else in the way of long-term savings. Use only EnergyStar-rated bulbs.
Use Solar Lighting Outside
Take advantage of free energy from the sun. Use convenient and attractive solar lighting outside to accent your walkways and driveways.  | | 4-PACK PEWTER SOLAR WALKLIGHT
Intermatic
Model: LZ418P4
Do it Best SKU: 506474
Online Price: $46.49
| | 4 Metal walklights per package. Fixtures automatically recharge during the day to turn On automatically at dusk. White LED technology and advanced solar panel technology. Accent lights can be installed even in remote areas where the sun shines and regular power sources are not available. Includes 2 NiCad rechargeable batteries per fixture. Stainless steel. |
Eliminate Standby (or Leakage) Losses:Ever wonder why your electric meter continues to spin - even though nothing in the house is turned on? Many electronic devices consume power even when they're switched off. The device enters a lower-power "standby state" and waits for a "run" command from a remote control or a pushbutton before springing to life. The energy losses of each individual device aren't very great, but multiplied many times over by many devices and many households... it adds up fast. Touch the small plug-in power supply of an electronic device, such as a printer or a laptop. Feel the heat - even though the device has been switched off for a long while? That's a standby loss, and you're paying for that convenience with an increased power bill. Unplug electronic devices if you aren't going to use them again soon. It's estimated that this alone can cut your power bill by more than five percent. SummaryWe can all do our part to limit the load on the power plant and reduce our carbon footprints. It's responsible, it's easy, and it's profitable to examine the ways we use electrical power. Eliminating our wasteful electrical power uses can pay big dividends. The best ways are easily sustainable and foolproof, such as demand timers and controllers, efficiency adapters, better lighting solutions, and proper maintenance. Look for the EPA's EnergyStar rating when buying an electrical product touted to help you save energy. If it lacks the rating, odds are it's inefficient or ineffective. Apply your own standards to the companies you patronize. If you're committed to living green, purchase green building products for all your home remodeling projects. Choose products such as Trex decking boards, which uses 100% sustainable recycled content and no harsh chemicals (Trex is made from recycled plastic grocery bags and reclaimed wood fibers.) Visit a manufacturer's website and check to be sure they're a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC.) |
This closed cell polyolefin tubing has excellent thermal insulating capabilities. Fire retardant. Will not rot or disintegrate. 3/8" wall thickness. Temperature range -90 to 210. Eliminates freeze during the winter and reduces condensation in the summer. Use over cold and hot water systems, refrigeration and air conditioning lines, and a broad range of other insulating applications. Packed four 3' pieces per package. 
