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The importance of doing this can’t be emphasized enough. The planet is really in peril. If that doesn’t move you, perhaps you’ll care that energy relates to our national security (or your national security if you’re in a different country – this problem is global, not just American). Or perhaps you simply want to lower your expenses, an understandable goal in these tough economic times.
There are many lists and tips about what you can do. Here are a few things to remind you, starting in the kitchen.
First let's discuss kitchen energy conservation tips for every day.
Turn off and unplug. Some things may be sucking energy even when they’re turned off. In the kitchen, I unplug the coffeemaker and the TV when they’re not in use.
Cook efficiently. Electric kettles are pretty good for heating water, like when you’re making tea. Even if you’re making soup, it can be more energy efficient to heat the water in an electric-water heater before pouring it into the pot. Use your microwave, especially for foods like baked potatoes. Choose to use the burner that matches the pan. Smaller things (diced) cook faster. Use lids – they will save time as well as energy. As your stove may take time to cool off, you can often turn down or turn off the burner before you’ve finished cooking.
Washing dishes. Making and keeping water hot uses a lot of energy. Using the dishwasher is generally better than washing by hand. Make sure you fill the dishwasher before turning it on – it will use the same amount of energy to clean a spoon as a full load. Don’t pay to have your dishwasher dry the dishes, though. Skip that cycle.
If your tap water tastes yucky without being filtered, then find a way to filter it, either by installing a filter in the faucet or by getting a Brita filter jug or something similar. Bottled water may be convenient occasionally, but not for every drop you drink. And there’s no reason you can’t refill a bottle with filtered water and drink from it again.
Instead of throwing away coffee grounds, etc., or sending them through the garbage disposal, start a compost heap.
Occasionally clean your refrigerator coils. Use a broom or a vacuum cleaner. I’ve seen that this should be done every 3 months or every 6 months.
Here is what you can do in the long term:
ENERGY STAR appliances are supposed to be much better. If you can, you should organize your kitchen so that the fridge is not next to the oven or the dishwasher.
Do you have other tips for the kitchen to share? Post them below!
Reported by chloris creator's diary of Daily Kos.
Posted November 12th, 2008 by Armen Hareyan
How To Reduce Your Energy Bills / Energy Conservation Begins at
How To Reduce Your Energy Bills / Energy Conservation Begins at Home
Imagine leaving a window open all winter long -- the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day.
These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in -- costing you higher heating bills.
Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts.
But what can you do about the four largest “holes” in your home -- the folding attic stair, the whole house fan or AC return, the fireplace, and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.
Attic Stairs
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.
Whole House Fans and AC Returns
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a whole house fan cover. Installed from the attic side, the whole house fan cover is invisible. Cover the fan to reduce heating and air-conditioning loss, remove it when use of the fan is desired.
Fireplaces
A recent study showed that for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter due to the air leakage and wasted energy caused by fireplaces.
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fireplace draftstopper. Available from Battic Door, a company known for their energy conservation products, a fireplace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted air infiltration, and keep out pests, bees and rodents as well. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint and moisture to escape.
If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan, an AC return, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, you can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.
Mark D. Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defects. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover, an attic access door, and is the U.S. distributor of the fireplace draftstopper. To learn more visit www.batticdoor.com