Energy Efficient Choices

Waltham, MA (PRWEB) -- GreenandMore.com recently published their guide to help consumers save money by reducing their home energy usage just in time for Earth Day, which falls on April 22, 2008 this year.

Using less energy means the planet will benefit, because about 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide (energystar.gov).

President and CEO of GreenandMore.com, Mercia Tapping, isn't a stranger to energy efficiency. In 1973, she co-founded the Energy Efficiency Corporation whose mission was to create energy efficiencies by consulting to large corporations. Tapping has recently posted her personal story about lowering her own home energy bill by 50% at the company's blog, www.GreenMusings.com.

"With the economy on everyone's mind, there's no better time than to look at Earth Day as an opportunity to spread the message that everyone can reduce energy usage at home or work with a few simple changes. We've created a guide called 'How to Lower Your Energy Bills' to help everyone understand devices and products available to reduce energy usage, and the potential energy that can be saved by each household or business." says Tapping.

The guide includes products that rely on solar cells, electrical sensors, and other new technologies to accomplish goals most people have each day: turning off appliances that aren't being used, cooling the home, reducing energy loss through the attic, lighting the front and backyard, and charging mp3s and cell phones.

As a special incentive to visit our website, save 5% off any order by using GreenandMore.com Coupon Code: GIVEGREEN

Excerpted from the How to Lower Your Energy Bills guide:

1. Kill A Watt Electricity Monitor Displays Energy Usage at the Outlet

The only way to be sure of the power draw of appliances and electronic devices and peripherals is to test them at the outlet. Once someone knows how much energy is being used when devices are on, or idle, it will be revealed how much energy and money can be saved on an electric bill by replacing, unplugging or using a smart power strip to cut off any power to that appliance. One could learn that a computer is actually drawing 30-70 watts when idle or on standby per hour. Then the energy abusing products can be changed or booted from the home, resulting in less wasted energy and a lower utility bill.

Link for more details on Electricity Monitor Watt Meters: Kill-A-Watt

2. Energy Efficient Compact Fluorescent & Full Spectrum Light Bulbs that use less energy

For every one standard incandescent light bulb replaced with an energy star qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), it would save about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime (source: energystar.gov). And, they use 75% less energy than regular bulbs, reducing energy consumption and lowering your bills. For only 13 Watts of energy usage, a bulb can product the light equivalent of a 60 Watt incandescent bulb. And they have a long life span of up to 10,000 hours, which saves money on replacement bulbs and save the earth from excessive replacement bulbs in the landfills.

Link for details on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Compact Fluorescent Bulb

3. Energy Saving Power Strips Ensure all appliances and electronics are really turned off

Turning off devices seems easy enough to do, but it takes extra time and remembering to actually flip a switch or push a button. Each time someone shuts off their TV, but forgets to turn off the DVD player or VCR and speakers, there is energy and money being wasted. There is new "smart strip" technology which can help alleviate using surplus electricity. For example, when a TV or computer is plugged into the "Control" outlet and when this appliance is turned off, the peripheral appliances, like a monitor or DVD player, automatically turn off as well. Smart Strips also allow for electronics that need to remain "always on" - like a cordless phone or fax machine. 7 or 10 outlet settings are available.

Link for details on Smart Power Strips: Energy Saving Smart Strip

4. Evaporative Coolers or Swamp Coolers Keep the indoors cool using less energy

By making a simple choice about how to cool down indoor spaces this summer, people can save up to 80% on the energy bill compared to traditional air conditioner units. For rooms between 150 sq. ft. - 750 sq. ft., an evaporative cooler, or swamp cooler, can handle the job of cooling while using one third the energy of a standard ac unit. Best suited for dry, hot climates, evaporative coolers do not use refrigerants, such as chlorofluorcarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which are known for damaging the ozone layer. Other benefits are a filter eliminates dust and pollen, and enjoy low maintenance and electricity costs.

Link for details on Evaporative Coolers: Evaporative Coolers

5. Attic Insulation Covers Eliminate energy loss by locating and reducing drafts

The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home may range from 5% to 30% per year (source: US Dept. of Energy), and the home is generally much more comfortable afterward. Experts recommend checking the attic hatch for air leaks, which is a cause of heat loss in a home. If the attic hatch is not insulated, a major source of energy loss can be eliminated by installing an attic insulation cover or attic tent. Once installed, the attic insulation kit produces a 3-5 degree difference in overall temperature. It reduces the loss of energy during the warm summer months, or colder winter months. Attic covers consist of a frame and lid. The frame serves as a barrier or dam to keep insulation from entering into the living area.

Link for details on Attic Insulation Covers: Attic Stair Covers