Hurricanes are violent storms which bring intense winds, heavy rain, storm surge, flooding, erosion, landslides and tornadoes. While it is difficult to predict the exact time, place, and force of hurricanes, residents along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts must be prepared. The season for hurricanes runs from June through November, with most hurricanes occurring mid-August […]
Energy vampires are sitting in dark corners, hiding under desks, and lurking on counter tops in offices across America. They take the form of office equipment, personal electronics, and appliances that draw electricity when left in “standby mode.” These sneaky monsters continue to consume power, even when equipment is idle or “shut off.” While you […]
Part 5 of Elements of an Energy-Efficient House. Appliances with relatively high operating efficiencies are usually more expensive to purchase. However, higher efficiency appliances provide a measure of insurance against increases in energy prices, emit less air pollution, and are attractive selling points when the home is resold. Home buyers should invest in high-efficiency appliances—such […]
Part 7 of Selecting a New Water Heater. As with any purchase, balance the pros and cons of the different water heaters in light of your particular needs. There are numerous factors to consider when choosing a new water heater. This publication has already described different system configurations. Some other considerations are capacity, efficiency, and […]
Part 9 of Ways to Save Money on Energy at Home. Appliances account for about 20% of your household’s energy consumption, with refrigerators, clothes washers, and clothes dryers at the top of the consumption list. When you’re shopping for appliances, you can think of two price tags. The first one covers the purchase price—think of […]
Part 6 of Cool Your Home Naturally. Often-overlooked sources of interior heat gain are lights and household appliances, such as ovens, dishwashers, and dryers. Because most of the energy that incandescent lamps use is given off as heat, use them only when necessary. Take advantage of daylight to illuminate your house. And consider switching to […]