Energy-Efficient Halogen Bulbs and Other Habits that Save Energy

According to research, a quarter of the electricity that is consumed in homes is used for lighting. Therefore, it is important to know what kind of bulbs are the most energy efficient so that you can save money. Whether you are thinking about lighting at home, in the office, or outdoors, you can always reduce the amount of money that you spend on energy if you know how to choose the right light bulbs. Here, we'll talk about halogen bulbs and a few other ways you can save on energy in your home.

For your flood lighting needs

One of the most common uses of energy-efficient halogens is in flood lighting. Usually, you will find them in the streets and stadiums where a lot of light is needed. In addition to that, these are bulbs that operate at high temperatures, and that is the reason they need so much power. If you replace them with halogens, you will have found a better way to cut down on energy consumption. Most energy companies are now turning to this solution. By using halogens, it is possible to increase your energy saving capacity from 30% to over 80%

When to replace the bulbs in your home

You need to check the bulbs that you use in your home to see if they are the latest type. If you have been using them for long, chances are that they are the old type that guzzles energy. They could be the reason you have been paying too much money for electricity. It is not difficult to tell when the bulbs are the old type because they are even marked with the number of watts that they produce. Energy expenses will drastically go down when you contact a local supplier so that you can get better bulbs.

How else can you save on energy in your home?

Unplug electronics when you are not using them

Sometimes, electronics consume energy even when they are switched off. For instance, if your music play is always on standby mode, you may think that it is not consuming energy, but it does. There are many other appliances that work the same way. Therefore, when you're not using them, you may want to unplug them altogether. Try doing it after installing energy-efficient halogens and see the difference that it will have on your next energy bill. In addition to that, you may want to unplug them if you will not be at home for a long time.

Change the filters in your AC

When it comes to saving energy in a home, a lot of focus is usually on the bulbs and appliances. Few people realize that an efficient air conditioner can help them to save money. If you talk to any electricity company about how to reduce energy costs, they'll tell you that simple maintenance practices can cut off a huge sum from your energy bills. For instance, when the filters are clean and working properly, an AC will require less energy to work. However, when they are old and dirty, the system will have difficulty attaining the required temperatures. Therefore, you will use more energy. Filters are easy to replace and readily available.

If you are wondering whether you can find the energy efficient halogens that can reduce energy costs, there are a lot of options.

What is Deregulated Energy Again and Why Do I Want It?

We all want it, a lower carbon footprint in order to leave this world a better place than when we found it. A lower electric bill wouldn't be such a bad thing either!

There are many ways to do this in today's world. Solar energy reduces 35 Million Tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. There are electric cars, lights that turn on and off in case you forget, and more and more we are looking for renewable and sustainable energy sources.

A step forward in the quest for finding new, sustainable, and yes, affordable energy sources is deregulated energy.


Maybe you've heard of it, maybe you are using it but it never hurts to go over things again. For those that don't know, deregulated energy is when there is less governmental control over your electricity. Pretty simple right? But, what does this mean for you?


Basically, deregulated energy is electricity and heat that isn't owned by large suppliers. When deregulated energy is used by a local energy company, it gives you more options to compare and choose from. Deregulated energy allows you to choose the energy supplier that fits your budget, needs and lifestyle.

When lighting makes up 10 percent of home energy costs, saving money on energy expenses sounds like a really great idea. Is there a downside to deregulated energy? Well, there's a reason energy has been regulated for so long: it is proven to be effective, efficient, and trusted.

Still, this doesn't mean deregulated energy cannot come from reputable sources.

So, while deregulated energy can come from smaller, more local energy companies, it doesn't mean that there isn't oversight and control because as American Power and Gas says "you’ll still receive your power and gas through your local utility’s infrastructure, but you can choose where to source your energy."

Deregulated energy is really about giving the choice back to the customer and consumer. Whether or not deregulated energy is for you, it is nice to know you have options when it comes to your utility suppliers now.

Five Surprising Ways to Save on Energy Expenses This Summer

Summer is here. This means air conditioning season is also here. Energy reduction not only saves money on energy expenses, but also reduces your carbon footprint. Most people know that sealing air leaks in windows and doors can reduce energy costs to cool your home up to 20% and make your home more comfortable. But what else can you do? Here are five surprising ways to save on energy expenses this summer:

Program Your Thermostat to Reduce Energy Expenses When You Are Not Home

While programmable thermostats are fairly common, nearly 40% of programmable thermostat owners do not use the programming features. People with a regular work or school schedule can reduce energy usage by programming the thermostat to turn on the air conditioner at higher temperatures when they are not home and a comfortable temperature, such as 78 degrees Fahrenheit, when they are home. People with more unpredictable schedules can invest in a smart thermostat that can be controlled remotely through a smartphone app. This allows the thermostat to sense when the resident is returning home rather than adhering to a pre-programmed schedule. Either technology reduces energy use by running the air conditioning less frequently when no one is home.

Use Air Circulation to Reduce Energy Expenses When You Are Home

Ceiling fans make the air feel cooler on the skin due to a wind chill effect. This can allow you to set your thermostat as much as ten degrees warmer while making you feel just as cool. Leaving interior doors open when you have central air conditioning promotes air circulation and prevents air pressure imbalances that make the air conditioning system less efficient.

Use Natural Cooling to Reduce Energy Expenses at Night

You can also save electricity, and the associated energy expenses, by turning off the air conditioner at night and opening a window. The night air will cool the air inside the house. This cool air can be trapped inside the house in the morning when the windows are closed. By closing curtains or blinds after sunrise, you can reduce energy expenses even more.

Select and Use the Right Appliances to Reduce Energy Expenses

Energy Star appliances meet standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These products save energy, reduce energy costs, and reduce carbon emissions. Using these products in a smart way, such as running heat-generating appliances like ovens, clothes dryers, and dishwashers during the evening, night, or morning hours, can reduce energy expenses even more.

Use the Landscaping and Exterior of Your Home to Reduce Energy Expenses

Lighter color roofing materials and exterior paint can reduce the amount of heat absorbed from sunlight and, thus, save electricity needed to cool the interior of the home. Shade trees can reduce energy expenses even more by reducing the amount of sunlight hitting the house. Not only will you save on energy costs to cool your home, shade trees and appropriate painting can reduce your carbon footprint by 2.4 tons of CO2 emissions per year. Shade trees actually create a negative carbon footprint by absorbing 25 pounds of CO2 from the air per year.

Conclusion

These are just a few examples of how to reduce energy use and there are many sources of information with more tips. Applying just a few of these suggestions can reduce energy use, reduce energy expenses, and reduce carbon footprint.