Looking to Save Energy This Winter? Check Out These Simple Tips

When the temperatures outside begin to drop, most homeowners decide to crank up the heat. But while the inside of your home may be nice and cozy, you may see a drastic increase in your energy bill. Fortunately, you can stay warm all winter long while making conscious decisions to reduce energy usage at home. So if you're looking for ways to save on energy this winter, here are a few simple tips.

Seal air leaks: If your home is kind of drafty, that may be one reason your energy bill gets so high. Air leaks can allow warmed air to escape, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to replace it. By sealing air leaks and ensuring your home is properly insulated, you can save up to 20% on your heating and cooling expenses. Seal leaks around window and doors for increased home comfort and lower energy bills.

Open the curtains: Instead of turning the heat all the way up, why not use a heat resource that's completely free? Utilizing the heat from the sun can be a great option in the winter. Opening blinds and curtains in your home will allow the sun's warmth to enter your home. Not only will you get some much-needed sunshine, but your home will be naturally warmed.

Keep air vents unblocked: With air vents being tucked into corners and behind furniture, it can be pretty easy to forget about them. But if the vents are blocked by items like furniture or curtains, it can drastically reduce the amount of air that can get through. This, in turn, forces the HVAC system to work harder to get the air through, increasing energy use. To reduce energy usage, keep air vents unblocked so air can flow freely.


Use heat wisely: One of the easiest energy conservation tips for the winter months is to use your heat wisely. This involves both lowering temperatures and only heating certain areas. If you turn down the temperature when you're not home or sleeping, that will help save on energy. Furthermore, if you have rooms that are rarely used, make sure the vents are sealed off so the heated air can be used in rooms that need it.


Saving energy can be easy when you put your mind to it. Hopefully, these simple tips will help keep your home warm and your energy bills low all winter long.

The Pros And Cons Of Solar Energy

A lot has changed in the recent years of solar energy. Science has advanced and our understanding of the changing climate has called for more serious efforts in the solar energy market. In 2015, 10% of the energy consumed by Americans was from renewable sources. By 2017 that number was 11%, which is almost nominal. However, half of that renewable energy produces electricity and accounts for 13% of U.S. electricity consumption. Now renewable energy accounts for 17% of U.S. electricity consumption.

What that data dump ultimately means is Americans are generating around the same amount of electricity from renewable energy sources, but utilizing it more efficiently to create electricity.

That being said, there are still some pros and cons you should be aware of if you're looking to start using green energy.

Pros of Using Solar Energy:

• A Sustainable Renewable Resource
• This is the biggest pro because solar energy comes from the sun. This particular resource keeps on giving day after day.
• Generally Cheaper Than Traditional Energy
• In general, green energy services are often cheaper than other forms of energy. Because of up and coming solar farms and community solar energy projects, solar energy is a beneficial option for both you and the environment.
• Tax Credit For Using Solar Energy
• The federal solar tax credit was extended to 2020, giving you more savings for your solar energy.

Cons of Using Solar Energy:

• Can Be Costly To Install
• Though the overall cost of going solar can be a lot cheaper, getting fully installed solar energy panels on your home can cost more at one time than just staying with your current energy utility.
• You May Not Catch A Lot Of Sun 
• You could try to access a community solar farm if you're lucky enough to have one near you. Most likely you will want to install solar panels on your home. If your roof is covered by trees or you just don't catch much sun where you live, you may not be able to actually get solar power.

Green energy services are working every day to make it easier to access solar energy. Recent years have seen updates to important components to solar systems, like batteries which can hold better reserve energy when it's not too cloudy. Combine that with the falling cost of solar energy overall and you have a system where the pros are starting to outweigh the cons.

Stay Warm Without Wasting Energy

With fall finally here and the temperatures starting to drop, you may be wondering how you can reduce your heating bills this year. Being smart about your heating can not only help you save on energy costs, but reduce energy use overall as well. Energy savings are important for both your bank account and the environment, so how can you reduce your energy use? Let's take a look at a few simple energy-saving tips for fall.


Have proper insulation: Even if you are mindful about your heating and cooling system use, that won't matter if your home is not properly insulated. Without proper insulation, heated air can easily escape your home, meaning your HVAC system has to use more energy. This is why insulating your walls and ceilings, especially in your attic, can help save 20% to 30% of home heating bills. Doing this also reduces CO2 emissions by 140 to 2100 pounds each year. So by insulating your home, and maybe even investing in energy saving windows and doors, you can reduce your energy use.


Turn down the thermostat: While it can be tempting to crank up the heat at the first sign of cold weather, it's important to try to resist that temptation. Turning down the heat in your home by even just a few degrees can give you an immense energy use reward. A programmable thermostat can be great too -- it can turn down the heat when no one is home or when you're sleeping so you don't have to worry about manually adjusting it all the time. Sacrificing a few degrees of heat and turning towards some warm blankets instead is something easy that all homeowners can do.


Change your filters: If you notice that your air isn't coming out as strong or as warm as normal, it may be as easy to fix as changing the filter in your HVAC unit. Air filters should be changed every few months, but this is something homeowners often forget about. And when filters aren't changed regularly, they can become clogged with debris. When this happens, your HVAC system has to use more energy to work harder to get the air through. So if you're looking for a simple energy use reward, then change your air filters.


Saving energy at home doesn't have to be hard. Keep these simple tips in mind and you'll stay warm all fall and save some energy too.

Saving Energy at Home: How to Use Your Thermostat Properly

The way we use energy has changed drastically over time. Just think, wood supplied almost 90% of our energy needs over 150 years ago! Now, people tend to focus more on renewable energy and ways we can reduce energy use. Fortunately, with today's technology, this is easier than ever to do. One technological tool that can help with energy conservation is a thermostat. So let's take a closer look at how thermostats can help save energy when used right.

How Does the Right Thermostat Save Energy?

Most homes are equipped with a thermostat to help keep the indoor temperature nice and comfortable. And while it may be tempting to crank up the heat in the colder months, setting your thermostat back even just a few degrees can reduce heating and cooling costs immensely. Programmable thermostats are something every home should have. It can be difficult to remember to turn down the heat or air when you're sleeping or not home. But with a programmable thermostat, you won't have to remember. You can simply set your thermostat to turn down the heat or AC when you're not home or sleeping and you can easily reduce your energy use. Additionally, you should ensure your thermostat is in a central location in your home. If a thermostat is installed in a poor location, like near a garage, it can misread the temperature. So with the right thermostat, you can save energy at home with ease.

What NOT to Do With Your Thermostat

When using your thermostat, it's important to not make mistakes that could lead you to use more energy than necessary. One big mistake homeowners often make is cranking up their heat or AC because they think that will help them reach their desired temperature quicker. Not only does this not work, but it can actually make your HVAC system run slower and use more energy. So to focus on energy conservation, don't set the temperature too high or too low. Furthermore, you should try to change the thermostat temperature as little as possible. If you constantly change the temperature on your thermostat, you're going to end up using more energy because your HVAC unit will have to stop and start repeatedly.

When it comes to energy conservation, using the right thermostat, and using it correctly, can be a big energy saver. So keep these tips in mind and use your thermostat wisely.

A Few Renewable Energy Options to Consider for Your Home

There's been a lot of talk lately about green energy and renewable energy options. While most of it may seem out of reach, the truth is that there are renewable energy options for every home.
Have you ever considered making your home a more sustainable, clean place to live? The renewable energy sources below will take you to a level far beyond installing a programmable thermostat and saving a mere 10% on cooling and heating costs.

Solar Roofing Panels
This might be one of the most obvious choices, but its benefits are practically endless. It's worth mentioning as one of the most easily accessible renewable energy sources out there, too! Depending on your roof and the orientation of your panels, it's possible to generate more than 10 watts per square foot of coverage. And solar power doesn't just mean electricity, either. In fact, you have the option of using solar power for household things like heating water and powering your air conditioning, as well. Bid your traditional electricity supplier goodbye!

Wind Turbines
Wind turbines are most typically found offshore or on large, empty plots of land, but nobody said you had to have a mammoth wind turbine in your backyard. In fact, any wind turbine powering your home would need to be scaled down to fit on your property. One of the biggest advantages here is that wind power is a bit more reliable than solar power in most cases. Where the sun may hide behind a cloud, it's a rare day that's without a good breeze.

Hydro Power
If your property houses a stream or any kind of running water, you're in luck. It may not be Niagara Falls, but a micro hydro power system can make powering your home an environmentally friendly breeze. Even a small stream can help you generate power at a price point that's lower than both solar and wind.

If you're looking to get involved in a cleaner, greener lifestyle, these renewable energy sources are excellent places to start. Who knows what other renewable energy tools may become available in the future? It's best to get started now.

U.S. Cities That Run on 100% Renewable Energy

Cities across the United States are more committed than ever to their roles in reducing carbon emissions. Luckily, it's becoming easier and more affordable for cities to clean their air by using renewable energy. And because of this, five U.S. cities have successfully made the switch to 100% renewable energy over the past decade. Since "100% renewable" may be defined differently in each location, each location made the transition differently. The following five cities have undergone the process to become reliant on 100% renewable energy.

1. Rock Port, Missouri - Rock Port became the first community in America to become powered entirely by wind power in 2008. The 1,300 residents rely on four large wind turbines, which are connected to the power grid. This small town produces more electricity than they can use.
2. Kodiak Island, Alaska - Kodiak Island has been 99% powered by wind and hydro since 2014. The island's electric company decided that 95% of the community's power would rely on renewable energy sources by 2020 after relying heavily on hydro but still burning 2.8 million gallons of diesel every year. Kodiak not only met its goal but succeeded in meeting its target six years early.
3. Greensburg, Kansas - After a tornado forced half the town's population to leave in 2007, the remaining citizens decided to rebuild with a focus on sustainability. Using wind and solar power along with geothermal technologies, Greensburg achieved 100% renewable energy in 2013. Although cost was initially a major setback, the town now saves $200,000 annually in energy costs for its largest buildings.
4. Aspen, Colorado - In 2015, Aspen hit its goal using mainly wind and hydropower. While it was a struggle, the city accomplished their goal in a short eight years. The city already had two hydro plants and decided to buy wind power from other states to reach 100% renewable energy.
5. Burlington, Vermont - After buying a hydro plant facility in 2014, Burlington reach 100% renewable energy. Even though it once relied heavily on coal, Burlington is now powered by wood chips, wind, solar, landfill methane, and hydropower.

Energy Conservation Tips to Help You Go Green

While it may seem impossible, you as a homeowner can go green too! Something as simple as changing your light bulbs to CFLs or LEDs, which reduce energy use from about a third to as much as 80%, can be a great place to begin. Check out these few energy conservation tips to help you get started:

• Change furnace filters regularly
• Use a programmable thermostat
• Seal leaks around windows and doors
• Use a tankless water heater

While this might not seem like a lot, following these simple energy conservation tips can make a huge difference in the long run and get you started on your green energy journey.

4 Easy Ways You Can Save Energy in Your Own Home

It goes without saying that in some cases, a homeowner's least favorite day of the month is when the energy bills arrive. Even in this era of low energy costs, all that smartphone charging and central air conditioning adds up. But while many people complain about high energy costs, few will do anything to decrease their energy usage.
Well, there's no time like the present to save energy in your home. You might be at a loss as to how to do that, but we've got you covered. Saving money on energy costs isn't as complicated as you likely think, nor does it have to involve a total renovation of your home. Here are four simple tips that can help you save energy in your home and bid adieu to those ridiculously high energy bills.

Use cold water
Washing your clothes in cold water might be unpleasant when you're switching the laundry over, but it's going to save energy like you wouldn't believe. It takes energy to heat up all that water, so using cold water is going to help you save on energy costs, and probably on your water bill. Plus, cold water will clean your clothes just as well as hot water, while also avoiding that dreaded shrinkage.

Wear the right clothing
Something as simple as dressing for the weather can make all the difference in your energy usage. If the weather is shaping up to be cold, make sure you're wearing a warm pair of socks, warm pants, and a big sweater. Layers are great -- as is a particularly cozy hoodie. On the opposite side of the weather spectrum, summer weather should mean shorts and tank tops around the house. You'll be amazed at the energy reduction awards.

Seal windows and doors
Sealing air leaks around windows and doors can save up to 20% on heating and cooling bills. It's truly something else to see what just a little bit of caulk can do for your energy savings. Not only that, but it will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Install a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats are one of the most useful energy savings tools you can have. Conserving energy is as simple as setting your thermostat to keep the temperature between a certain range of degrees. From there, you can program it around your schedule, ensuring that you aren't paying to heat or cool an empty home while you're away at work.
Saving energy isn't a difficult task. In fact, it can be the easiest thing in the world if you're willing to make a few simple changes to your lifestyle.

Don't let your energy bills control your life!

5 Energy-Saving Tips That Can Reduce Your Electric Company Bills Over the Holidays

The holidays are a time of celebration. But all those festive decorations and fun gatherings can add up to a shock when you get the December bill from the electric company. The answer isn’t cutting out any of your holiday traditions, but just being a little smarter about energy use; a few small changes can allow you to achieve some serious energy savings. Here are five easy tips you can put to use in the coming weeks:

1. Turn Down the Thermostat
   Most people already know that using a programmable thermostat can save 10% of annual energy costs, and are pretty good about keeping the temperature at a reasonable level most of the time. But when you’re having people over, you might be tempted to turn the thermostat up, since you don’t want your guests to be uncomfortable. The thing to remember is that just having more people in your house will increase the temperature, as will cooking. So by lowering the thermostat, you’ll save some energy and make sure people don’t overheat.
   
2. Unplug Appliances Before You Leave
   If you’re going out of town during the holidays, make sure to unplug “phantom” energy users like TVs, computers and even coffee makers. There’s no reason for them to be pulling residual amounts of power when no one is around to use them.
   
3. Enjoy the AmbianceIf you’re putting up decorative lights this Christmas, use them to replace, rather than supplement, your regular lighting sources. You don’t need to have the overhead lights or table lamps blazing away when your tree is illuminated -- and you’ll get a better effect with the other lights off, anyway. (If you really want to be smart about your tree lights, consider LED strings; they cost a little more, but draw only a fraction of the energy that traditional lights do.)
   
4. Choose Efficient Gifts
   The savings of this strategy stretch far beyond the month of December. When you’re doing your gift shopping, prioritize buying energy-efficient electronics. Basically, energy efficiency means using less energy to achieve the same effect: using less power without making any sacrifice in function. For that reason, it’s often called the “fifth fuel” (coal, petroleum, nuclear power and renewable energy sources being the other four). If you’re purchasing someone a battery-operated gift, make rechargeable batteries and a charger part of the package.
   
5. Look at Your Electric Company OptionsIf you haven’t investigated it already, the holidays are the perfect time of year to find out if you’re in a deregulated energy market. If you are, you might be able to buy your power from an alternative electric company but still have it delivered through the local utility like you always have. Deregulation gives you the chance to do some comparative rate shopping and to support energy companies who have business models you agree with. You can even research companies charitable and community contributions and choose the company that is the best fit for you.

What other energy solutions might people employ over the holidays?
Share your tips in the comments.

Understanding the Business of Energy Industry Deregulation

Think back to history class and the lessons about how the United States was founded and why it was built on the principles of liberty and justice for all. Although this sentiment was meant for the people of this great country, it also applies to the businesses operating here. The American economic system is known for its capitalist mentality, but it's also praised for its free enterprise system.

Like other industries, energy is a big business and an important industry in our country! After all, it's how the lights stay on in your home and how you're able to stay warm and cool throughout the different seasons. However the energy and power industries are rapidly changing due to the trend known as energy industry deregulation. Think of energy industry deregulation as a kind of free enterprise system for energy suppliers and power suppliers, as well as renewable energy companies.

In years past, the government and it's authorities worked closely on an individual level with local utility providers in an effort to give business and home owners a single, standardized solution for their power and utility needs. Some utility companies found these kinds of restrictions to be very stifling and unnecessarily restrictive. This tight control allowed the industry to stabilize and it helped to establish a significant infrastructure during the early twentieth century. As much as this system was necessary back in those days, fast forward to today, and some now find it outdated and impractical.

While the basic concept of energy industry deregulation is fairly simple to understand, it's easy to see how it's dynamics can be confusing, especially since your local power or utility provider might not be necessarily motivated to highlight the alternatives or benefits. As such, you may not even know what your options are and could be missing out on savings and alternative energy choices. Many consumers appreciate energy industry deregulation because it can make room for more sustainable, and innovative companies to serve their needs in a more efficient and affordable way.

Here are a few things to know about energy industry deregulation and how it can benefit you.

Potentially Save On Your Gas and Electricity Bills Each Month
Your monthly utility expenses can add up, so it's important to find ways to save anyway you can. As previously stated, the United States of America praises capitalism, and one of the most fundamental tenets of that is competition in order to drive prices down and keep them fair. Thanks to energy industry deregulation, alternative power companies can enter a deregulated market and win new customers over by potentially offering more affordable rates for service.

It's Greener
Energy deregulation can be greener for the earth and better for the environment. Sustainability and environmental responsibility is on the minds and in hearts of many American households and individuals nowadays, perhaps more so than ever. Deregulation can help you with this by making your electricity and gas greener! As a whole, most alternative power suppliers seek out the most environmentally friends power sources to protect the environment while still serving the needs of their customers.

No Service Interruption
It's important to keep in mind that deregulation of power only affects it's supply or where the energy actually comes from, not how it's delivered or distributed to you.  If you decide to make the simple switch, you don't have to worry about a disruption in service or a power outage. The only thing that will be different is your new energy supplier listed on your bill!

Four Ways You Can Quickly Cut Down On Your Utility Bills

Our country's energy suppliers produce an unprecedented amount of electricity. In the mid-1990s, electricity was affordable at 7.1 cents per kilowatt hour in 1995; by that year the price to actually generate the electricity from the power companies was two-thirds the price of what the homeowner would pay for electricity. In 2013, United States energy use was over 13 times greater than the energy use of 1950. Moreover, the current cost to generate electricity amounts to less than half of the price of electricity according to the Edison Electric Institute. Cutting down on your electric bill is possible by following these steps to cut costs and find alternative electricity for your home.

Regulate Heat Year-Round 

Most wasted energy is due to heat or air conditioning that runs while no one is home. By installing a programmable thermostat, you can set your heater or air conditioner to run only during the hours that people are home. In total, this can help homeowners save as much as 10% per year on their heating and cooling bills.

Warm Bathing Water 

Studies have shown that most Americans dedicate up to 18% of their utility bills to water heating. New, tankless water heaters are able to store a greater reservoir of hot water while helping to eliminate costs, thus helping homeowners save hundreds on their hot water every year.

Energy-Saving Appliances 

Many Americans have joined a growing movement to find more economically friendly, low-energy alternatives to traditional appliances. The refrigerators of today use three-quarters less energy than the average refrigerator sold in 1975; this is even despite the fact that today's refrigerators are 20% larger and cost 60% less.

Alternative Electricity for Your Home 

Many homeowners are searching for more affordable alternative electricity companies in order to save on their monthly bills. Many of these companies take extra precautions to ensure that your home is using energy at a moderate rate relative to the size of your household. Already, these alternative energy companies have installed 50 million smart meters to regulate nearly 43% of homes in the United States.