Be the hero of your house with these smart ways to save energy room-by-room.
Get the link to the live interactive guide pictured here below.

Trump doesn’t need to speak for you when it comes to fighting climate change. Even though he wants to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Accord, you can show him you disagree by practicing smart ways to save energy at home. How?

1) Continue to acknowledge that climate change is a real threat.

2) Do your own part to save energy.

We’ve teamed up with StarTexPower to bring you 18 smart ways to save energy at home. Just go to this live graphic and click on any room in the house. You’ll get three tips per room to help you save energy at home.

Smart Ways to Save Energy At Home

Keep in mind these important room-by-room tips:

In The Living Room

⇒Seal air leaks around windows and doors.

⇒Change your furnace filter every 3 months.

⇒Adjust your thermostat by 10-15 degrees, especially when you’re away at work or when you go to bed.

Of the $2,000 you probably spend on energy annually, $200 to $400 could be going to waste from drafts, air leaks around openings, and outdated heating and cooling systems, reports Energy.gov.

Save as much as 30% on your energy bill by sealing the leaks.

Remember that dirty filters can slow down air flow and force your furnace to work harder.

Adjusting your thermostat by 10-15 degrees for at least 8 hours a day can cut your heating bill by 5-20% annually.

In Your Bedroom

⇒Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioning. Fans topically cost only 1 cen per day, says StarTex, while making the room feel 3-8 degrees cooler.

⇒Hang insulating drapes to keep rooms cooler during the summer and warmer in winter.

In The Kitchen And Laundry 

⇒Wash full loads.

⇒Replace older appliances, including refrigerators
and washing machines, with Energy Star products

⇒Air dry dishes. Use clothes lines and drying racks to dry clothes

In the Bathroom

⇒Lower the thermostat on your water heater. For every 10 degrees you reduce the temperature, you can save 3 to 5% on your bill.

⇒Take shorter showers.

⇒Switch to water-efficient faucets and shower heads to enjoy the same quality but save energy.

Outside

⇒Plant deciduous trees – the kind that drop their leaves in the fall.

Planting on the west side of the house to create shade and help keep your house cool can reduce your air conditioning costs by up to 30%.

You can find more smart ways to save energy at StarTexPower.com. Look for their hashtag, #energylifehacks.

NOTE: Partners and sponsors enable us to bring you the expert content you want at no cost to you. Our editorial opinions remain our own. Thanks!

The post 18 Smart Ways to Save Energy at Home appeared first on Big Green Purse.

What can you actually do to stop climate change? World leaders are meeting this week in Paris to address climate change on a global scale. At Big Green Purse, we focus on what we ALL can do at home and in our communities.

One important step we can take is to embrace the science. There is now near unanimous consensus that climate change is happening. Scientists know burning fossil fuels like coal and oil releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. That CO2 creates a gaseous blanket that traps heat between the upper atmosphere and the Earth, causing our planet to heat up. Scientists also agree that nations must transition to fuel from renewable energy sources in order to stop climate change.

Second, we need to switch from coal and oil to energy that comes from the sun, the wind, and other renewable energy resources. Already, the renewable energy industry is growing faster than almost any other industry in the U.S. But we can do more, by purchasing wind power through our local utility company, by installing solar collectors on our rooftops, or by joining community power plans that promote solar and wind.

Third, we can help stop climate change by saving energy at home. Insulating our homes, using energy-saving light bulbs and appliances, using a programmable thermostat, these are all measures within our reach.

Ready to get started?

Climate Change: What It Is, Why It Matters

Top 10 reasons to take climate change seriously

Climate change impacts on our health, our homes, our families, and our future

How climate change makes poison ivy worse

Why climate change matters to women

How You Can Help Stop Climate Change

10 ways to reduce the climate change impact of your house

Save energy, stop climate change, save money

Cool roofs save energy & money, help fight climate change

Carbon offsets shrink your carbon footprint

One way to solve climate change: clean cook stoves

Best electronics create least e-waste, climate change

6 things you need to know about the Clean Power Plan

5 sure-fire ways to lower your energy costs

The post What Can You Do to Stop Climate Change? appeared first on Big Green Purse.

For the first time ever, you can buy an ENERGY STAR-certified clothes dryer, one that meets high energy-efficiency performance standards. As a result, you could save as much as $245 on energy costs over the life of the efficient dryer.

The nation benefits, too. If all clothes dryers sold in the U.S. were ENERGY STAR-certified, Americans could save $1.5 billion each year in utility costs and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more than 2 million vehicles.

Clothes Dryers: The “Gas Guzzlers” of Household Appliances

Clothes dryers are the “gas guzzlers” of household appliances: They consume more energy than clothes washers, dishwashers and even refrigerators. For the past 20 years, people have been able to choose ENERGY STAR-certified models of major energy-using products in the home. But, until now, they did not have that choice on clothes dryers.

The new certified dryers are, on average, 20 percent more efficient than new models that are not certified. Where do the enhanced efficiencies come from?

√ Improved sensors more effectively stop the drying cycle when the load is dry, preventing over-drying and reducing energy waste.

√ Less energy is also used during the drying process itself.

√ New advanced heat pump technology makes some models 40 percent more efficient than conventional models.

What Do ENERGY STAR-Certified Clothes Dryers Cost?

When it comes to purchase price, the new certified clothes dryers cost about the same as standard models. But using them will translate into a $25 per year savings on home energy bills if you replace a dryer that’s at least 10 years old with a new ENERGY STAR model. Plus, several cities and states offer rebates ranging from $25 to $200 on the purchase of ENERGY STAR-certified products, reducing the machine’s costs further.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if all dryers 10 years and older were replaced with ENERGY STAR-certified machines, the U.S. would save more than $570 million on energy costs, and prevent 7 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

That’s equal to the emissions from 670,000 vehicles or the annual electricity use of 440,000 homes, not to mention the reduced need to mine coal or drill oil, or frack for natural gas.

Who Is Making ENERGY STAR-Certified Clothes Dryers?

Five clothes dryer manufacturers have secured certification to date: Kenmore, Maytag, LG, Whirlpool and Safemate, and more than 40 models are available.

Thumbs Up, ENERGY STAR!

RELATED POST

Dry Your Clothes For Free

Note: I originally published this article on Triple Pundit.

The post ENERGY STAR-Certified Clothes Dryers On Sale for First Time Ever appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Whether you’re bracing yourself this winter with money saving tips for keeping warm or have gaping holes to plug when it comes to energy efficiency, now’s the time to focus on the big picture. Householders need a combination of tactics to lower energy costs long term, ranging from insulating their bricks and mortar to investigating in better value alternative energy sources. A commitment to adopting simple energy saving habits around the home can also go a long way towards saving you significant amounts of money each year. Here are five sure-fire ways to lower energy costs, thanks to Britain’s Energy Saving Trust, or EST .

 1) Use a programmable thermostat.

Programmable thermostats automatically adjust your heating, turning it down when you’re at work or in bed, turning it up right before you get home. The Google-owned Nest , pictured right, is particularly clever when it comes to helping people shrink their power bills for good.

2) Stop heat escaping.

Is inadequate insulation undermining your energy saving efforts? Homes built with solid brick walls or aluminum siding, or just older construction, are usually less snug than those built with more modern, insulating construction, says EST. Applying a high performance, thermally insulated cladding could help you feel warmer and reduce your heating bill significantly. Similarly, loft insulation stops warmth escaping through your roof, where around 20 per cent of heat can be lost through drafty attics and crawl spaces. It takes around two hours for experts to wrap joists, boards and fill loft spaces with thick mineral wool materials, offering savings on your annual energy bills. In addition to addition to adding insulation, weatherize by sealing the leaks around doors and windows, and cover windows with curtains or shades that will seal in the heat during cold winter months.

3) Switch companies.

Should you switch to a utility company that better meets your household energy needs? Compare utility providers in your area to see what kind of power they offer and how much it costs. In the U.S., consumers already purchase gas and electricity from different providers. this is now becoming an option in the UK as well. Take advantage of competition in the marketplace to find a provider that delivers good service and the cleanest energy possible at the best price. Scott Byrom, energy expert at Make It Cheaper, told the Guardian: “Most people like the convenience of having both gas and electricity on the one bill, but there’s a growing number who take a contrary view. Not only are they saving even more money by going for single-fuel deals but they’re managing their consumption better by having a clearer picture of exactly how much they’re spending on each.”

 4) Choose alternative energy.

Have you considered switching to an alternative energy source like solar panels or cleaner fuel, like a biomass heating system. You can amortize the cost of installing a new system over time, and ultimately save hundreds per year.  Biomass boilers use wood pellets, wood chip, logs and other organic fuels and come in all sizes. Water and central heating systems can be powered efficiently by biomass.

 5) Don’t forget lights, electronics, and appliances.

Replacing old light bulbs? Try highly efficient LEDs. Wash clothes in cold water, and spin dry to reduce the heating required in the dryer. Turn off electronics when you’re not using them; even leaving them on standby or in sleep mode uses energy unnecessarily.  Gadgets such as television sets, microwave ovens, speaker systems and the personal computer can be unplugged overnight. When buying new appliances and electronics, choose the most energy-efficient models available to meet your needs and remember, even if you pay a little more upfront, you’ll save all that and more in reduced energy bills.

All of the small energy saving changes you make around your home can add up to significant annual savings on your utility bills. Plus, using less energy reduces climate change and the air pollution that are associated with burning fossil fuels. It’s a win/win/win – for you, your pocketbook, and the planet.

NOTE: Sponsors like Britain’s Energy Saving Trust enable us to provide expert content at no cost to you. Our editorial opinion remains our own. Thanks!

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What is the Nest Thermostat?

Thermostats are devices that turn the heat up or down, or the air conditioning up or down, depending on the indoor temperature you want for your home. Usually, you can just turn your thermostat on and adjust the temperature to whatever feels comfortable. What makes the Nest thermostat different is that it is fully capable of programming itself. Here’s how:

As you adjust the temperature in your home throughout the day, Nest takes notice. In fact, it keeps a record of the times that you prefer more heat and the times you prefer less, eventually building a schedule for you. Within a few days, you won’t have to interact with Nest in order for it to change the temperature to your personal preferences throughout the day. So it becomes a very automatic way for your home to be heated or cooled to your exact preferences without you having to continually set and re-set the thermostat yourself.

Once the schedule is set, you can still make quick, one-time alterations without disrupting the overall program. However, should you continue to make regular changes, the thermostat will adapt and create a new schedule to fit your new needs.

Nest’s Auto-Away Setting

Nest is just as useful when you’re not home as when you are, maybe better, because you won’t have to worry about paying for unnecessary climate control while you’re away. The “Auto-Away” feature can do the following:

·       Uses sensors and algorithms to sense if you’re away from home

·       Reduces heat or AC use when it senses occupants aren’t home

·       Tracks and memorizes any times you may consistently be away from home

How the Nest Thermostat Saves Money and Energy

The end result of all of this innovation isn’t just increased thermostat autonomy. Nest designed its learning thermostat so that homeowners could waste less energy when they heat and cool their homes.

The end result is that users can save as much as 20% on their monthly heating and cooling bills according to Nest. And, as they say, what’s good for the goose (your wallet) is good for the gander (the environment). Considering that 44% of the energy in the United States comes from coal-burning power plants – the single largest air polluters in the country – anything we can do to  reduce energy consumption can only help keep the planet healthy.

The Nest Leaf

Nest takes it one step further by including a feature called “Nest Leaf.” This feature does the following:

·       * Acts as a guide to help you save energy

·      *  When you decrease energy use, a small icon appears to let you know you’re saving more energy

·       * Encourages you to make any changes that might save extra energy

        Installing the Nest    

       There are videos available on YouTube that make installing the Nest yourself look easy. If you’re pretty handy, go ahead and do it yourself. I’m not that comfortable when it comes to wiring, so I’d probably get the help of one of my DIY friends or neighbors who is. Otherwise, you can buy the Nest at most hardware stores, big box stores, and online.

       Here’s more information on the Nest.

NOTE: While the learning thermostat has certainly been making waves, Nest’s other attempt at innovative home automation recently hit a snag. The Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide detector was pulled from the market due a design flaw that could possibly allow users to accidentally deactivate the alarm function, which in turn could lead to property damage, personal injury, or even death. Still, despite this apparent hiccup, Nest remains committed towards revolutionizing environmentally friendly home automation.

   David Glenn taps his 30 years of experience owning his own home-building business to review promising new technologies that offer consumers the opportunity to save energy and money and live greener lives. Connect with him on Twitter @davidglenn97.

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