Aluminum Foil
Flatten, wash and store used foil. Reuse at a later time.
Automotive Floor Mats (rubber/carpeted)
Use as a floor mat for leaky containers in the garage or basement.
Use as a boot tray for inside your house.
Place clean mats next to a kitty litter box to keep the litter from being tracked all over the house. Put a carpeted floor mat in a pet cage (like a cat-carrying case) as a durable and soft place for your pet to nap.
Spread across the tailgate of your truck to protect it while your dogs are getting into and out of the truck.
Put them on top of the carpeting inside your vehicle to protect it from wet and muddy dogs.
Take with you when you go on a picnic. Put them on a picnic table bench if it's wet from rain or dew or on the ground if no benches are around.
Place plastic mats under pet water/food dishes to catch spills.
Baby Wipe ContainersUse the cylindrical type with the hole at the top to dispense balls of yarn. It keeps the yarn from getting tangled.
Bags--BaggiesDON'T USE!!!
Use tupperware instead. For those of you who need your baggies, wash them out and reuse them for your next lunch. Wash and use for storage of "travel" tissues--you know, the small plastic package containing 10 tissues that you usually pay 50 cents for. Place blown-out lightbulbs in a baggie before throwing them away. If it is accidentally crushed, the pieces won't tear the garbage bag.
Bags--Paper (grocery)Use for garbage bags around the house. Use to cover school text books.
Bags--Paper (lunch)Don't use. Reuse.
Bags--Plastic (grocery)
Use the plastic bags you get from stores for liners in garbage cans around your house. Keep them in your car for garbage. Use for stuffing pouf valences. Cut into strips and tie around a coathanger which has been formed into a circle to make a Christmas wreath. Use for picking up and disposing of scoopable cat litter clumps. Take with you when walking your puppies instead of a bulky pooper scooper.
Balls
Using a long string, hang a ball from the garage ceiling indicating where a new driver should stop the car. Hitting it won't do any damage to the car and it will prevent the driver from hitting something else. Give soccer balls, footballs, tennis balls, etc. to dogs for chew toys.
Belts
Use to tie back tree branches. Use for tying young trees to supports.
Binders (three-ring)
Cut out the section which has the rings on it, drill a hole through the rivets, and then screw the strip to a wall. Use to store commonly used utensils, paint brushes or your keys. Duct tape the seams and the pockets together if they rip and continue to use it for classes. Use for orderly storage of bank statements, credit card statements, etc. Print out your favorite recipies on paper and then store in a binder. (You can find them much quicker this way than searching through several cook books.)
Blankets
Keep an old one in your car for emergencies. Fold in half the long way, sew it together, and use it as an exercise mat. If it is not cushy enough, sew two together. If you don't have access to a sewing machine, just fold it. Keep for use at the beach or when on a picnic. Take when camping so you don't destroy a good one. Use for lining a pet's cage to make it more comfortable.
Books and Magazines
Donate books to a library. Sell college books directly to other students (by-passing the college bookstore) and let them save a TON of money. Set up a table at your church where people can drop off their old magazines and other people can buy them for 50 cents. Then give the money to charity. Use cool magazine pictures as envelopes. Make bath toys by cutting pictures out of a magazine and covering them with contact paper, leaving a one-half inch lip around each piece to allow it to seal. When these pieces get wet, they will stick to the bathroom tile. Use old magazines to make cool collages for gifts.
Bottles--Beverage (Glass)
Use an old beer bottle as a candle holder--the wax dripping over the side will make pretty designs. Keep an eye on it to make sure nothing burns. Fill a clear glass bottle with small candies. Make a wine bottle into a vase. Use a larger wine bottle as a bank.
Bottles--Beverage (Plastic)
Fill with water and freeze. They make nice "blue ice" for coolers--especially longer trips. Don't forget to leave room for the expanding water. Give it to your puppy. It becomes a (noisy) toy! (My Dog) Make it into a vase. Partially fill it with marbles, stones or something fairly heavy to keep it from tipping. Then paint it to match your decor. Fill with colored sand and use as a doorstop. Use to make your own bottled water. Use large, sports drink bottles as pitchers for juice at home . Fill with homemade beer and wine. You must be of legal drinking age to use this idea.
Bottles--
FoodKetchup, mustard, etc bottles make cheap, short-range squirt guns. Use old plastic bottles (such as syrup bottles) for storing homemade ice-cream sauce or other homemade food.
Bottles--HouseholdUse detergent, fabric softener or shampoo bottles filled with USED motor oil for lubricating drive chains. Fill glass cleaner bottles with soapy water and keep by the area in your house which has been infiltrated by ants. It is messier than traps, but safer than poison. Cut the top part off of a liquid laundry detergent container. Use the main part as a pooper scooper and the top portion as the pusher. Empty, rinse and reuse.
Bottles--
Perfume/cologneFill with colorful liquids and give to children for playing "store." Be sure that children don't stain their clothes with the color.
Boxes--
CandyUse for gift wrapping ties, scarves and gloves. Square candy boxes can be used for wrapping gifts, storing art supplies or carrying cross-stitch work. Save love letters in heart-shaped boxes. Make into a Valentine's Day card for next year. Cut a heart-shaped box so that you have a flat heart. Save and let the kids use it as a template. Make a Valentine's Day decoration for next year. Use a smaller box for storing paperclips, rubber bands, etc.
Boxes--
Cardboard (those which reams of paper come in)Use as individual recycling boxes for bedrooms. This will help keep garbage from accumulating on desks and dressers (or in my case the floor). Use for under-the-bed storage by cutting it to make it shorter. Make it into a bed for a small pet by cutting an entrance and lining it with a blanket.
Boxes--
ShoeboxesUse to store recipes. Tape the lids to the boxes, paint them bright colors, and give them to the kids for building blocks. Use to hold odds and ends--just paint and label. Use to store small children's toys. Make into a dollhouse.
Boxes--
TissueUse for storing plastic bags. Place in different rooms of the house for easy access. Give to gerbils, hamsters, etc. as a chew toy. They will shred it and use it for bedding.
Bricks
Salvage from other people's trash and use for a fancy trim around the garden. Salvage (or reuse your own) and make into a walkway. Use as a weight to hold down plastic garden film. Make into a bookshelf by stacking them at both ends and lying wood between them.
Briefcase
Use for storage of children's toys. It will fit under the bed and it is ready for travel to a friend's house. Give to the kids for use when playing dress up. Donate to a local shelter so that the residents may use it for job interviews. Use it for a fancy overnight bag. Spruce it up, fill it with stationary, put a bow on it and then give it as a gift to a college student. Use it for a children's suitcase. Store tools in it and keep it in the trunk of your car in case of an emergency. Use for storage of sewing supplies or anything else.
Brooms
Use for scrubbing garbage cans. Use push-brooms for pushing snow off of trucks/vans without getting wet.
Broom Handles
Insert into the soil of a large potted plant and tie the plant to it for support. This is helpful for large plants which tend to droop. Insert into the ground and tie small trees to it. This helps to prevent sagging, wind deformation, running over it with a lawnmower, etc. Tie an old cloth to the handle, leaving some cloth hang free. Rip the cloth lengthwise, and use it as a web beater for getting spiders out of the corners of your house. Use for the body of a children's stick horse.
Buckets
(5-Gallon)Fill partially with soap and water and use when washing your car. Use as a garbage can for the basement or garage. Use when picking apples, pears, etc. Use for storage of items when camping (it is semi animal-proof). Be sure to secure the lid. Put a chair pad on to and use it as a seat. Use as a muck bucket for horses. Use for collection when weeding the garden. When the bucket is full, transfer the weeds to a compost pile. Use as flower outdoor flower pots. Fill clean buckets with water for your dogs when they are outside in the summer. When the water gets dirty, use it to water the plants.
Business Cards
Write new information on the back and reuse. Cut them up and use them as the tags in the dividers of filing cabinets or binders. Use as those cards you put in luggage tags. Write notes or messages on the reverse side. Glue pictures you have cut out from magazines, coupon ads, etc. onto the business cards and over the printing on the cards. Use for gift tags.
Buttons
Save in case you lose one.
Calculator/Adding Machine
Give to someone who can fix it and use/sell it. Let kids use for playing school, store, etc.
Calendars
Save the torn off pieces from a day-by-day calendar and use for scrap paper, phone messages, etc.
Candles
Melt down all of your old candles into one big, multicolored one. Use when making charcoal fire starters. Use to make matches damp-proof. Use for coating newspaper logs to make them burn more efficiently.
Cans--
CoffeeUse as a double boiler when you are melting wax for your newspaper logs. Storage of nuts, bolts, small parts, etc. Use for baking bread. Make a child's drum set out of coffee cans and plastic lids. Attach long, looped strings to the cans and let children use as stilts. Use to scoop dog food out of a bag. Cut a hole in the lid and use it as a bank. Make it into a camp stove by cutting a square into the side of the can and placing a piece of coal under the upside-down can. Fill with worms when going fishing. Put a slit in the lid and use it as a piggy bank. Decorate the can, punch 3 or 4 holes (spaced evenly) around the top rim for string, put a plant in it, and then hang it from the ceiling. Push the upside-down can into the ground where you want to place a plant and then remove it. The can will pull out the soil, making digging a hole easy. Fill partly with sand and use as an outdoor ash tray.
Cans--
SoupFill with batter for bread, muffins, etc. and bake in your oven. When ready to serve, cut out the other end of the can and pop the bread out. Use as a crayon holder. Punch a hole in the bottom of two cans and attach them with a long string for a children's telephone.
Carpet
Place in the back of an enclosed truck or van. Cut into small squares or circles and place under the feet of heavy furniture. Place carpet remnants at doors to catch mud and water. Use as summer floor mats in cars. Take with you when cabin camping to keep the dirt/snow out of your "home." Cut into strips wide enough to fit between the rows in your garden. This will minimize weeds and create real indoor/outdoor carpeting.
Carpet Protectors
(Plastic)Cut to the desired size and use as a boot tray. Keep on the floor in front of the back seat of the van to keep snow/mud off of the carpet. Use as a drop cloth.
Chair Pads
Use to kneel on when gardening. Take on campouts and use as pillows or for sitting on around a campfire. Keep in the trunk of your car and use for kneeling on when you have a flat tire. Use as a stadium seat for ball games. Line a cardboard box or laundry basket with a chair pad and use it for a pet bed. Whip stich extra length to the ties on the pad, and then tie the pads around your chest and waist. Use when learning to fence. Use as pillows for children's sleepovers. Use for storage of fragile boxed items. Try using the stuffing to re-stuff decorator pillows. It probably won't be comfortable, but it will make them fluffy again. Take them on picnics or to parades. They are easier to carry than folding chairs. Line a car crawler with chair pads to make fixing your car a little more comfortable. (Joe) Put on top of a five gallon bucket and use as a seat.
Clocks
Remove some of the gizmo's from inside and mount onto a pin back with a hot glue gun. Wear it as jewelry. Use a cuckoo clock as a birdfeeder. (Tina) Use clocks with hands for teaching kids how to tell time. Take off the hands (and anything else that sticks out) and use as a picture frame by cutting a picture to the correct shape and size, and slipping it between the glass and the clock face. If it is a clock with a picture built into it, leave it up for decoration.
Clothes--
Baby ClothesLet children use for dressing up baby dolls.
Clothes--
JeansCollect old jeans, cut them into usable pieces, and sew together into a duffle bag, change purse, etc. (Some sewing skills required.) When making cut-off shorts, save the pantlegs and give them to your puppies. They make great tug-of-war items. Cut into 6x6 squares, sew together and fringe out to make a quilt.
Clothes--
SocksGive old socks to your kids for sock puppets. Take old socks camping. Bunch them up for thickness and use for pot holders. Use for dusting around the house. Tie into a knot and use as a dog toy. Use as rags when stripping or refinishing furniture. Use to clean up after painting arts and crafts.
Clothes--
WinterKeep old an old hat and gloves in your car for emergencies Use old winter coats for snowblowing, camping, etc (so you don't ruin a good coat). (Jack) Remove pompons from winter hats and give to the cat to play with. (Carrie) Use old mittens for dusting around the house.
Clothes--
MiscellaneousUse for rags. Cut the elastic bottoms off of sweats and use as scrunchies. Cut small circles out of thicker material and use as "stoppers" for cabinet doors or as appliance "feet." Use old long-sleeved shirts as a smock for children who are painting. Donate to shelters or charities. Take pieces from old clothing (which are unfit to be reused) and make them into a patchwork quilt or pillow. Cut clothing into small pieces and use as dryer sheets with a liquidy dryer sheet alternative. Make a quilt out of your child's favorite clothes and give to their children.
Clothes Hangers
Make wire hangers into seasonal wreaths by bending it into a circle and then glueing on seasonal items, such as leaves in the fall. Use for making a child's mobile. Return clothes hangers to the dry cleaners so they can reuse them. Some companies will provide cardboard storage containers. Clothes Pins
Use to clip junk-food bags closed.
Coffee Filters
Put used filters (unbleached is best) and used coffee grounds directly into your compost pile. Rinse clean of debris and use it as a filter when planting in small pots. It will prevent the wash of soil and will hold in nutrients.
Coffee Stirring Sticks
DON'T USE!!! Use a spoon! REUSE!!! Use like a toothpick for testing the doneness of cakes. Use like toothpicks which get stuck in sandwiches. Use as a lollipop stick when making homemade lollipops.
Colanders
(plastic)Use for storage of children's bath toys. Use as a light bulb cover when you have a bare ceiling bulb. Keep in laundry tub for temporary storage of wet wash cloths. Use as a children's sand sifter. Use a smaller strainer for cleaning litter boxes. Let kids use as helmets when playing. Keep on the pool deck for those emergencies in which a drowning bug needs rescuing. Use as a garden sifter to remove pebbles. Invert and place over bowls when on picnics to keep bees and flies out of your food. Use as a fruit basket for your counter top. Use for storage and transport of knitting supplies.
Compact Discs
If they can still be used, give them to friends or sell them back to stores who deal in used CD's. If they are scratched and can no longer be used, hang them from your wall. They make for funky interior decorating. Use as reflectors. Use as coasters. Place a watch in the center and hang it on the wall for a funky clock. Tie mono filimant fishing line to a CD and hang it in your fruit tree. It will keep the birds from eating all of the fruit.
Computers
Donate to a local school and possibly receive a tax deduction.
Computer Ink Cartridges
Refill and reuse.
Cookie Cutters
Give to the kids and let them use when playing with playdoh. Hang on kitchen walls for decorations. Hang Christmas cookie cutters from the Christmas tree. Give to kids as templates for tracing on paper. Children can dip in paint and then press onto paper to make art. Hang from a clothes hanger to make a child's mobile. Hang outside from a coffee can to make a windchime.
Coolers
Decorate and use as a children's toy chest. Use for storage of camping gear. Keep it in the basement, closet, etc. for storage of just about anything. Decorate the outside and use it as a coffee table. It conveniently holds magazines and anything else lying about when company drops by unexpectedly. Use as a seed bed. Use a small cooler as a travel case for children. Use a small cooler for storage of paper and pencils. Use a small cooler for storage of make-up. Keep the lids which have a place to hold drinks. Use it when you are outside and need a surface to place the glass on. Allow kids to play with small coolers. DO NOT allow children to play with larger coolers as they may become trapped inside and suffocate. Use as a storage bin for the trunk of your car. They can hold sporting equipment, an emergency kit, etc. If the bottom of a small cooler is still intact, sink it all or partway into the ground in an area of the yard where people are not going to step on it. When watering the garden, fill the cooler to provide a water source for pets or birds. If the bottom of a large cooler is still intact, use it as a liner for a mini pond in your garden. Add decorative rocks, water plants, small recirculating fountaing, etc. Store toy shovels, rakes buckets, etc in them. Use to store pool toys. Leave a cooler on the gazebo with cooking supplies in it so everything is easily accessible and dry for cookouts. Use it when you go shopping if you live a long way from home. It will keep meats, butter, etc. cold until you get home. In winter, use them to store summer items for camping, clothing, etc.
Crayons
Melt old crayons together and use cookie cutters to make fun shapes for younger kids. Make patchwork crayons. Keep worn down crayons in a toolbox for handy marking pencils. Create a vase by melting different colored crayons over an old bottle. Let the wax drip randomly. Make creative envelope seals by dripping crayon wax onto the back of an envelope. Make a special imprint in the wax if you want. Use different colors to highlight important events on the calendar. Use for drawing on easter eggs before you dip them in the dye. The dye won't adhere to the wax and it will leave pretty designs. Keep in an arts and crafts box.
Credit Cards
Use to flatten stickers to surfaces. Use a pin to let air bubbles out and then reflatten using the credit card.
Curtains
If they are in good condition, donate to a local charity. Heavy curtains can be used as a drop cloth when painting. Larger curtains can be used to cover a pool table, excercise equipment, etc. Heavy curtains can be used for lining the trunk of your car when transporting dirty stuff.
Darts
Tack messages to a dart board using the darts. Use the darts as an awl (thanks Pierre!) for marking wood or metal. Use as a plant support for small plants. Label the plastic "feathers" with plant names and use for labelling a garden. Use as large thumbtacks for a corkboard.
Diaper Wipes Boxes
Use to store arts and craft supplies. Label with permanent marker. Use as weights for when glueing two surfaces together. Use as a door stop.
Drink Mix Containers
(those with twist-off caps)Use for keeping matches waterproofed--although I wouldn't recommend submerging it in water. Use for storage of rice, pasta, etc. when camping (or at home). Use the large bottom portion to hold water to rinse paint brushes. Use the lid for the paint.
Egg Cartons
Use cardboard ones as a charcoal fire starter. (Dave) Use for potting flowers (inside) before moving them outdoors. (Jeannette) Use to keep necklaces and bracelets separate.(Andrea) Store earrings in the top of the carton to keep from losing them. Break up the styrofoam and use it as packaging material. Wash a styrofoam carton VERY WELL and use for an ice cube tray. Keep the lids attached so that you can stack them. Make into candy-filled eggs for Easter. Store golf balls inside.
Envelopes
Take envelopes which are sent by businesses (in the hopes that you will return them), place a label over the pre-printed address, write in a new address, and send it on its way. Use for writing notes to family members. Don't recycle until it is completely filled. Use for storing receipts. Use for storing or carrying coupons. Use for writing grocery lists.
Fabric Softener Sheets
Use as stuffing for stuffed animals and decorative pillows. (Liz) Reuse in your sock or underwear drawer to keep your clothes smelling fresh. (Carie) Place in front of an air vent. The heat from the vent releases the smell into the air. (Carie) Tear the sheets in half before using in the dryer to reduce the number of sheets you use. (Carie) Wrap around a few clothes hangers in the closet to keep your clothes smelling fresh. Use to dust your house. Place inside shoes at night to keep them smelling fresh.
Fast Food "Clam Shells"
Cut in half, poke holes in the bottom of one half, and use as a seed-starter for gardening. (Liz)
Film Canisters
Storage of thumbtacks, rubber bands, paper clips, etc. Fill with quarters. Put in your child's backpack for emergency phone calls. Use for mixing small portions of paint. Fill with suntan lotion and carry with you when hiking. Fill with aspirin and keep in your backpack or purse. Fill with shampoo, soap or lotion. (Courtney & Christina) Fill with water or sand as a souvenier from a vacation. (Courtney & Christina) Fill with household odds and ends (such as nuts, bolts, etc.) and store them in an old purse. Use for storage of seeds. Put a few loose buttons or beads inside and use as a cat toy. (Amy)
Flower Pots--
Small/MediumFill partially with sand and use as an outdoor ash tray. Use when placing flowers at a cemetary so that good ones are not vandalized or lost. Use small, plastic pots as scoops for pet food or potting soil. Use for making sand castles or snow forts. Use for storage of change on a dresser. Use small pots as fruit-picking baskets. Use "tree-size" pots for storage of pet toys (or childrens toys). Keep a small pot by the dryer to collect lint. Use a medium size pot for storage of fruits and vegetables on the counter top. Use a small pot as a candy jar. Paint different colors and use to decorate around a garden. (Edie)
Foil Trays
Wash and use for baking brownies (or anything else). Use when feeding your puppies leftovers.
Garbage Cans
(small/indoor)Relocate to the basement or garage. Use it as a recycling bin next to a desk. Use as a small toy box for balls, dolls, etc. Keep in backyard LINED and COVERED TIGHTLY and use for storage of pet droppings until garbage day. Use as a larger flower pot. Use for storage of potting soil.
Garden HosePoke
holes throughout the length of the hose and make it into a soaker hose. Make into an outdoor extension cord protector by slitting the hose along its length and pushing the extension cord inside. Poke holes throughout the length and make into a sprinkler for kids. Cut into smaller sections and attach to the thin, metal handles on buckets to make it more comfortable to carry. Cut a small section off, clean it, and use as a funky napkin ring. Cut a small section off, clean it, and use it as a sturdy key chain. Use to tie up a young tree for support. (Sweet Chickie) Use it to make a martian costume for Halloween. Use under a skirt for a crinoline.
Glasses
Take out the lenses and use for Halloween costumes. Have your optometrist make them into sunglasses. Save the screws in case you lose them from your current glasses. (Although dabbing clear nail polish on the screws will prevent them from falling out.) Save old ones and use them when doing messy work (like painting the house). Donate to an organization which takes old eyeglasses and puts new lenses in for people who cannot afford to buy new pairs.
Glasses CaseUse as a protective case for your cellular phone.
Greeting Cards
Use as bookmarks. Reuse old cards with some strategic editing. Make into an ornament. Make into gift tags by cutting an old card with pinking shears, punching a hole in the corner, and tying the pieces together. Add the name and a note inside. Cut off the side with the picture (if there is no writing on the reverse side) and reuse as a post card. Pay only postcard postage!
Gym Bags
Use for neat storage of infrequently used shoes.
Hairbrush
Transfer to your camping gear. Give to your kids for when they are playing with their dolls. Remove some of the bristles (depending upon the kind) and use for a pet brush. Keep in the basement or garage for removing dirt from jeans or sneakers so it doesn't become mud in the washing machine. Use for scrubbing larger tools. Use for scrubbing garbage cans/buckets.
Halloween Costumes
Donate to charity for another person to use. Save and let children use for Dress-Up. Donate to schools as props/costumes for school plays.
Hooks
(plastic, candycane-shaped hooks which socks hang on in stores)Use for hanging Christmas ornaments on the tree. Use for keeping similar buttons together by attaching them to the hook using a twistie and keeping in a box. This will make for easy location. Use it as a unique key chain. Attach to the end of a ball of yarn for easy location of the end piece. Use for hanging decorative pot holders on the wall. Paint as candy canes and hang on the Christmas tree. Use for hanging a gear-loft inside a tent. Use to hang the homemade pseudo-sixties chains from your doorway.
Inner-Tubes
Cut to the width you need and use as rubber bands for very large items. Use as patching material for punctured inner tubes. Cut the inner-tube so it is no longer in a circle. Cut off the valve and then drop a chain through the tube. This will keep the chain from clanking.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Space Heaters
Space heaters are designed to provide heat to specific areas or objects. There are many different types, ranging from small portable heaters that use varying methods of heat distribution to permanently installed heaters that are surface-mounted to a ceiling or wall. Depending on their design, space heaters can operate on electricity, natural gas, wood, or liquid fuel, though they most often use either electricity or natural gas.
Space heaters won't be the right choice for every application, but they can save energy and money in some cases, such as:
When using only part of a facility that has a central heating system that cannot isolate the area in use
When only a small fraction of a large facility is occupied, such as a shipping desk in an unheated warehouse
When specific tasks of limited duration must be performed in an otherwise unheated space
Typically, portable electric heaters are used in residential applications, leaving the permanently installed ceiling- or wall-mounted heaters for commercial and industrial applications. There are of course exceptions to this, with surface-mounted radiant heating panels sometimes used in residential applications and portable electric heaters sometimes used in commercial or industrial spaces.
The efficiency of a specific space heater is not necessarily important; what matters is its intended use—what type of heating the consumer wants from it. Using a space heater in a manner for which it was not intended can drive up energy costs and fail to provide occupant comfort. But in the right applications, space heaters can maintain comfort and lower overall energy costs.
What Are the Options?
Space heaters are typically used either to supplement an inadequate existing heating system or to save energy and defray energy costs in one of the situations described above. In either of these cases, look for a heater that has a design and safety features that match your needs. To pick a design that works well in a certain situation, it is important to understand the different types of space heaters that are available.
Radiant heaters.
This type of heater provides warmth in the same way that the sun's rays or a warm fireplace does. Radiant heaters use a variety of heating elements (including quartz tubes, carbon tubes, metal coils, and halogen lamps) to emit radiated heat in a specific direction. Some types use reflectors to focus the heat; others simply allow the heat to dissipate in the direction the heater is facing. Radiant heaters are better suited to heating objects (usually people) than entire spaces, and they work best in areas with open architecture (not many doors or other obstructions). Objects must be within the heater's line of sight to feel the heat. Over time, radiant heaters will increase air temperature as the people and objects that absorb the radiant heat directly transfer some of it to the air.
If you plan on being in a room for only a short period, a radiant heater is the best option for space heating. They can be more efficient over a short period than other heater types because radiant heaters avoid the energy needed to heat the entire room by instead directly warming the occupant of the room and the occupant's immediate surroundings. Radiant heaters are sometimes referred to as quartz, infrared, parabolic, ceramic, halogen, and reflective heaters.
Convection heaters. The main difference between a convection heater and a radiant heater is air flow. Convection heaters rely on the the natural pattern of rising hot air to heat a room. They are designed to heat an entire room by heating the air, rather than focusing the heat on any particular object, and so they work best in rooms that can be sealed off (usually by closing a door). One example is a portable electric baseboard-style space heater. With a baseboard heater, air circulates through the room and enters the baseboard heater on the floor. The air is then warmed by passing across the electric element in the heater and rises through the room. The cold air in the room descends to enter the heater, and the cycle is repeated. The most efficient convection heaters are oil- and water-filled heaters. These employ a heating element in a bath of oil or water. The oil or water remains heated while the unit is on and heats the surrounding air by way of natural air movement through the unit, similar to an electric baseboard heater. These oil- or water-filled units look like a portable radiator.
Convection heater
A typical convection heater, using air movement through the unit to heat the room.
Combination heaters. Many space heaters employ both radiant and convection heating techniques. These combination heaters are sometimes regarded as having more flexible operating use requirements than conventional heaters. One example of this type of heater is a ceramic radiant heater that uses an internal fan to distribute the heat it generates (Figure 3). Combination heaters heat specific objects in addition to the air surrounding them, although they don't do either as well as a heater designed solely with either radiant or convection technology would. Combination heaters are also called heater fans.
Combination heater
A typical combination heater, with controls on top and an internal fan that circulates heat throughout the room.
Unit heaters
One type of space heater that dominates use in the commercial and industrial sectors is the unit heater, which is basically a forced-air furnace without ducts. It is a self-contained, permanently surface-mounted heater that can operate on either electricity or natural gas, though natural gas is the more common fuel used. As with all gas-fired combustion equipment, unit heaters must be vented to the outdoors to exhaust the combustion gas. These units require some installation work, but they can also provide a much greater amount of heating for a space than a typical portable space heater. Unit heaters are good for heating an add-on room, workshop, or garage without needing to add ductwork. They are most commonly used in warehouses, car dealerships, auto service bays, and other large open buildings. Even with their ability to create a large amount of heat for open areas, they are sometimes criticized for creating large temperature differences in a space, as well as for the noise they produce.
A typical gas-fired unit heater, with an exhaust pipe shown on the back side.
Utility heaters
These are used mainly at outdoor worksites and in other areas where spot heating is either helpful or necessary. They are generally oil- or propane-fueled, and they use a cylindrical shape to direct heating in a specific direction. They can be used in auto bays and other industrial areas that are often open to the elements. They are effective for outdoor worksite use where electrical outlets may not be convenient, although some units come fitted with an electric ignition that requires an outlet.
Common Features
Not all space heaters have all of the features listed here; this is a list of the most commonly found and most highly desired space heater characteristics.
Adjustable heating element (providing multiple heat settings)
Adjustable fan
Carrying handle
Cool-touch exterior
Thermostatic control
Digital thermostat
Night light
Occupancy sensor
Oscillating unit
Overheat safety shut-off
Power indicator
Remote control
Silent operation
Timer
Tip-over safety alarm
Tip-over safety shut-off
Wheels
How to Make the Best Choice
Once you've decided that space heaters are right for your business or home, it is helpful to answer a few questions to help determine the proper type of space heater that will suit your needs. For example:
Do you have a preference on whether it uses electricity or natural gas? Are both available where the heat is needed?
Where do you plan to use the space heater? In what areas or rooms, specifically? What tasks will be performed there?
In general, how often and for how long will the heater be in use—periodically or constantly?
What features are important for your application?
Sporadic usage, spot heating. If you need help "filling the gap" or simply adding some extra warmth while performing a task at home or at work, a radiant heater will be the best match. They provide heat almost instantaneously but must be located fairly close to warm an occupant effectively. The main caveat with these types of heaters is that they can be a fire hazard, so safety precautions must be taken in order to prevent fires, burns, or other damage. Examples of where these heaters might be used are for a person working at a desk or sitting on a couch; these perform well when the object to be warmed is relatively stationary.
In some instances, it makes sense to use a radiant heating panel: These are varying-sized electric panels that are mounted to a surface (wall, ceiling, or floor) and radiate heat to an object directly in front of them. They operate completely silently, are cool to the touch, and typically consume less power than a traditional radiant heater; they also produce less heat, but can work well to provide some heat for a person sitting at a desk or other small enclosed area with a nearby mounting surface.
Constant operation, whole-room heating. If you plan to use the space heater for extended periods of time or to heat an entire room and a conventional central heating system is impractical, a convection heater will most likely be your best choice. Either an oil- or water-filled radiator heater or a portable baseboard-style heater will work. Unlike radiant heaters, convection heaters cannot provide instantaneous spot heating but instead gradually warm the air in the room. They provide an even, comfortable heat through natural convection of the room air. Most of these heaters are silent and cool to the touch.
Varied operation, versatile tasks. If the space heater will be used for a variety of tasks, a combination heater—employing both radiant and convection techniques—is best. These are currently the most commonly used space heaters. Any space heater with a heating element and an internal fan can be classified as a combination heater. These heaters can be used to warm up an entire room (although not as evenly as a true convection heater) and to heat a stationary person (again, not as efficiently as a true radiant heater). Many people enjoy the versatility of these portable types. These heaters can also be a fire hazard, so it is important to operate them in areas where they're unlikely to come into contact with flammable materials such as paper.
Large open commercial or industrial spaces. Larger spaces typically benefit the most from installing a unit heater. Though their current typical efficiencies range between 55 and 80 percent, large Btu capacity and ductwork-free operation make the unit heater an attractive option in larger open spaces where a conventional forced-air system would be more costly. Because the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) includes new standards for unit heaters, their efficiencies will rise, offering an even greater potential for savings. Federal regulations that go into effect in 2008 will require all unit heaters to adopt features that only the most efficient models have now.
Energy Cost Analysis
A typical portable electric space heater uses between 600 and 1,500 watts (W), with the medium heat setting consuming around 1,000 W (1 kilowatt). A typical application might use a space heater for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Assuming an electric rate of $0.09 per kilowatt-hour, a portable electric space heater used this way will cost approximately $15.26 to operate for one month. A radiant heating panel on the medium heat setting would cost about $9.16 per month. Operating cost noticeably increases for combustion heaters, with unit heaters weighing in at just under $400 each month for a midrange capacity and utility heaters costing a little over $300 each month for the midrange capacity.
Space heaters won't be the right choice for every application, but they can save energy and money in some cases, such as:
When using only part of a facility that has a central heating system that cannot isolate the area in use
When only a small fraction of a large facility is occupied, such as a shipping desk in an unheated warehouse
When specific tasks of limited duration must be performed in an otherwise unheated space
Typically, portable electric heaters are used in residential applications, leaving the permanently installed ceiling- or wall-mounted heaters for commercial and industrial applications. There are of course exceptions to this, with surface-mounted radiant heating panels sometimes used in residential applications and portable electric heaters sometimes used in commercial or industrial spaces.
The efficiency of a specific space heater is not necessarily important; what matters is its intended use—what type of heating the consumer wants from it. Using a space heater in a manner for which it was not intended can drive up energy costs and fail to provide occupant comfort. But in the right applications, space heaters can maintain comfort and lower overall energy costs.
What Are the Options?
Space heaters are typically used either to supplement an inadequate existing heating system or to save energy and defray energy costs in one of the situations described above. In either of these cases, look for a heater that has a design and safety features that match your needs. To pick a design that works well in a certain situation, it is important to understand the different types of space heaters that are available.
Radiant heaters.
This type of heater provides warmth in the same way that the sun's rays or a warm fireplace does. Radiant heaters use a variety of heating elements (including quartz tubes, carbon tubes, metal coils, and halogen lamps) to emit radiated heat in a specific direction. Some types use reflectors to focus the heat; others simply allow the heat to dissipate in the direction the heater is facing. Radiant heaters are better suited to heating objects (usually people) than entire spaces, and they work best in areas with open architecture (not many doors or other obstructions). Objects must be within the heater's line of sight to feel the heat. Over time, radiant heaters will increase air temperature as the people and objects that absorb the radiant heat directly transfer some of it to the air.
If you plan on being in a room for only a short period, a radiant heater is the best option for space heating. They can be more efficient over a short period than other heater types because radiant heaters avoid the energy needed to heat the entire room by instead directly warming the occupant of the room and the occupant's immediate surroundings. Radiant heaters are sometimes referred to as quartz, infrared, parabolic, ceramic, halogen, and reflective heaters.
Convection heaters. The main difference between a convection heater and a radiant heater is air flow. Convection heaters rely on the the natural pattern of rising hot air to heat a room. They are designed to heat an entire room by heating the air, rather than focusing the heat on any particular object, and so they work best in rooms that can be sealed off (usually by closing a door). One example is a portable electric baseboard-style space heater. With a baseboard heater, air circulates through the room and enters the baseboard heater on the floor. The air is then warmed by passing across the electric element in the heater and rises through the room. The cold air in the room descends to enter the heater, and the cycle is repeated. The most efficient convection heaters are oil- and water-filled heaters. These employ a heating element in a bath of oil or water. The oil or water remains heated while the unit is on and heats the surrounding air by way of natural air movement through the unit, similar to an electric baseboard heater. These oil- or water-filled units look like a portable radiator.
Convection heater
A typical convection heater, using air movement through the unit to heat the room.
Combination heaters. Many space heaters employ both radiant and convection heating techniques. These combination heaters are sometimes regarded as having more flexible operating use requirements than conventional heaters. One example of this type of heater is a ceramic radiant heater that uses an internal fan to distribute the heat it generates (Figure 3). Combination heaters heat specific objects in addition to the air surrounding them, although they don't do either as well as a heater designed solely with either radiant or convection technology would. Combination heaters are also called heater fans.
Combination heater
A typical combination heater, with controls on top and an internal fan that circulates heat throughout the room.
Unit heaters
One type of space heater that dominates use in the commercial and industrial sectors is the unit heater, which is basically a forced-air furnace without ducts. It is a self-contained, permanently surface-mounted heater that can operate on either electricity or natural gas, though natural gas is the more common fuel used. As with all gas-fired combustion equipment, unit heaters must be vented to the outdoors to exhaust the combustion gas. These units require some installation work, but they can also provide a much greater amount of heating for a space than a typical portable space heater. Unit heaters are good for heating an add-on room, workshop, or garage without needing to add ductwork. They are most commonly used in warehouses, car dealerships, auto service bays, and other large open buildings. Even with their ability to create a large amount of heat for open areas, they are sometimes criticized for creating large temperature differences in a space, as well as for the noise they produce.
A typical gas-fired unit heater, with an exhaust pipe shown on the back side.
Utility heaters
These are used mainly at outdoor worksites and in other areas where spot heating is either helpful or necessary. They are generally oil- or propane-fueled, and they use a cylindrical shape to direct heating in a specific direction. They can be used in auto bays and other industrial areas that are often open to the elements. They are effective for outdoor worksite use where electrical outlets may not be convenient, although some units come fitted with an electric ignition that requires an outlet.
Common Features
Not all space heaters have all of the features listed here; this is a list of the most commonly found and most highly desired space heater characteristics.
Adjustable heating element (providing multiple heat settings)
Adjustable fan
Carrying handle
Cool-touch exterior
Thermostatic control
Digital thermostat
Night light
Occupancy sensor
Oscillating unit
Overheat safety shut-off
Power indicator
Remote control
Silent operation
Timer
Tip-over safety alarm
Tip-over safety shut-off
Wheels
How to Make the Best Choice
Once you've decided that space heaters are right for your business or home, it is helpful to answer a few questions to help determine the proper type of space heater that will suit your needs. For example:
Do you have a preference on whether it uses electricity or natural gas? Are both available where the heat is needed?
Where do you plan to use the space heater? In what areas or rooms, specifically? What tasks will be performed there?
In general, how often and for how long will the heater be in use—periodically or constantly?
What features are important for your application?
Sporadic usage, spot heating. If you need help "filling the gap" or simply adding some extra warmth while performing a task at home or at work, a radiant heater will be the best match. They provide heat almost instantaneously but must be located fairly close to warm an occupant effectively. The main caveat with these types of heaters is that they can be a fire hazard, so safety precautions must be taken in order to prevent fires, burns, or other damage. Examples of where these heaters might be used are for a person working at a desk or sitting on a couch; these perform well when the object to be warmed is relatively stationary.
In some instances, it makes sense to use a radiant heating panel: These are varying-sized electric panels that are mounted to a surface (wall, ceiling, or floor) and radiate heat to an object directly in front of them. They operate completely silently, are cool to the touch, and typically consume less power than a traditional radiant heater; they also produce less heat, but can work well to provide some heat for a person sitting at a desk or other small enclosed area with a nearby mounting surface.
Constant operation, whole-room heating. If you plan to use the space heater for extended periods of time or to heat an entire room and a conventional central heating system is impractical, a convection heater will most likely be your best choice. Either an oil- or water-filled radiator heater or a portable baseboard-style heater will work. Unlike radiant heaters, convection heaters cannot provide instantaneous spot heating but instead gradually warm the air in the room. They provide an even, comfortable heat through natural convection of the room air. Most of these heaters are silent and cool to the touch.
Varied operation, versatile tasks. If the space heater will be used for a variety of tasks, a combination heater—employing both radiant and convection techniques—is best. These are currently the most commonly used space heaters. Any space heater with a heating element and an internal fan can be classified as a combination heater. These heaters can be used to warm up an entire room (although not as evenly as a true convection heater) and to heat a stationary person (again, not as efficiently as a true radiant heater). Many people enjoy the versatility of these portable types. These heaters can also be a fire hazard, so it is important to operate them in areas where they're unlikely to come into contact with flammable materials such as paper.
Large open commercial or industrial spaces. Larger spaces typically benefit the most from installing a unit heater. Though their current typical efficiencies range between 55 and 80 percent, large Btu capacity and ductwork-free operation make the unit heater an attractive option in larger open spaces where a conventional forced-air system would be more costly. Because the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) includes new standards for unit heaters, their efficiencies will rise, offering an even greater potential for savings. Federal regulations that go into effect in 2008 will require all unit heaters to adopt features that only the most efficient models have now.
Energy Cost Analysis
A typical portable electric space heater uses between 600 and 1,500 watts (W), with the medium heat setting consuming around 1,000 W (1 kilowatt). A typical application might use a space heater for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Assuming an electric rate of $0.09 per kilowatt-hour, a portable electric space heater used this way will cost approximately $15.26 to operate for one month. A radiant heating panel on the medium heat setting would cost about $9.16 per month. Operating cost noticeably increases for combustion heaters, with unit heaters weighing in at just under $400 each month for a midrange capacity and utility heaters costing a little over $300 each month for the midrange capacity.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Buy Green Power
What Is Green Power?
Green power is the solution to a cleaner, sustainable energy system. Renewable energy—power from the sun, wind, plants, and moving water—is a sustainable way to meet our energy needs and protect the environment and public health.
Wind energy converts the power available in moving air into electricity. Wind power does not produce emissions, generate solid waste, or use water.
Bioenergy is energy from trees and plants. This includes crops grown specifically for energy production and organic wastes (such as wood residues from paper mills and methane from landfills). Using bioenergy to generate electricity reduces global warming emissions if new plants are grown to replace those that are harvested.
Geothermal energy uses heat from inside the earth to make clean power.
Solar power captures the heat and light of the sun to generate electricity. Solar energy does not produce emissions, generate solid waste, or use water.
Hydroelectric power captures the energy in falling water. It does not produce emissions or solid waste, but can have a relatively low or high impact on the environment, depending on the site-specific factors such as maintenance of water flow and water quality, fish impacts, and other land use issues.
Why Buy Green Power?
Choosing green power could make a big difference for the environment because electricity generation is the largest industrial polluter in the country. Electricity generation currently produces:
About two-thirds of the annual U.S. emissions of sulfur dioxide, the main cause of acid rain and very small soot particles. These fine particles are believed to be responsible for the largest share of the 50,000-100,000 deaths caused by air pollution in the United States each year.
About 30 percent of the nitrogen oxide emissions, which stress forest ecosystems and combine with organic compounds in sunlight to form smog. High smog levels can also trigger heart and respiratory problems and contribute to air pollution deaths.
About 40 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions. This heat-trapping gas causes global warming, which may lead to increased droughts, flooding, disease, ecosystem disruption, and severe weather.
Toxic-metal emissions (such as mercury and lead) and nuclear waste.
What Are the Dirtiest Energy Sources?
All fossil fuels and nuclear power contribute to one or more of the problems mentioned above. Since these power sources currently account for more than 90 percent of the electricity generated in the United States, it is not possible to avoid them altogether. But some are worse than others, and you can try to minimize their use.
Coal. Most electricity in the United States currently comes from coal. But coal burning is the leading cause of acid rain, the largest source of global warming emissions, and a significant source of smog, toxic metals, and tiny-particle pollution. Reducing coal usage is critical to slowing global warming and protecting the environment.
Oil. Oil produces high levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides and relatively high levels of carbon dioxide, as well as problems associated with drilling, refining, and transportation, such as tanker spills. Furthermore, the increasing U.S. dependence on imported oil is economically risky and will continue to increase the U.S. trade deficit.
Nuclear power. After coal, the next largest source of our electricity is nuclear power. While nuclear plants don't cause air pollution, they do create radioactive waste, which must be stored for thousands of years. As accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl proved, nuclear plants also carry the risk of catastrophic failure. And nuclear power can be very expensive.
Green power is the solution to a cleaner, sustainable energy system. Renewable energy—power from the sun, wind, plants, and moving water—is a sustainable way to meet our energy needs and protect the environment and public health.
Wind energy converts the power available in moving air into electricity. Wind power does not produce emissions, generate solid waste, or use water.
Bioenergy is energy from trees and plants. This includes crops grown specifically for energy production and organic wastes (such as wood residues from paper mills and methane from landfills). Using bioenergy to generate electricity reduces global warming emissions if new plants are grown to replace those that are harvested.
Geothermal energy uses heat from inside the earth to make clean power.
Solar power captures the heat and light of the sun to generate electricity. Solar energy does not produce emissions, generate solid waste, or use water.
Hydroelectric power captures the energy in falling water. It does not produce emissions or solid waste, but can have a relatively low or high impact on the environment, depending on the site-specific factors such as maintenance of water flow and water quality, fish impacts, and other land use issues.
Why Buy Green Power?
Choosing green power could make a big difference for the environment because electricity generation is the largest industrial polluter in the country. Electricity generation currently produces:
About two-thirds of the annual U.S. emissions of sulfur dioxide, the main cause of acid rain and very small soot particles. These fine particles are believed to be responsible for the largest share of the 50,000-100,000 deaths caused by air pollution in the United States each year.
About 30 percent of the nitrogen oxide emissions, which stress forest ecosystems and combine with organic compounds in sunlight to form smog. High smog levels can also trigger heart and respiratory problems and contribute to air pollution deaths.
About 40 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions. This heat-trapping gas causes global warming, which may lead to increased droughts, flooding, disease, ecosystem disruption, and severe weather.
Toxic-metal emissions (such as mercury and lead) and nuclear waste.
What Are the Dirtiest Energy Sources?
All fossil fuels and nuclear power contribute to one or more of the problems mentioned above. Since these power sources currently account for more than 90 percent of the electricity generated in the United States, it is not possible to avoid them altogether. But some are worse than others, and you can try to minimize their use.
Coal. Most electricity in the United States currently comes from coal. But coal burning is the leading cause of acid rain, the largest source of global warming emissions, and a significant source of smog, toxic metals, and tiny-particle pollution. Reducing coal usage is critical to slowing global warming and protecting the environment.
Oil. Oil produces high levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides and relatively high levels of carbon dioxide, as well as problems associated with drilling, refining, and transportation, such as tanker spills. Furthermore, the increasing U.S. dependence on imported oil is economically risky and will continue to increase the U.S. trade deficit.
Nuclear power. After coal, the next largest source of our electricity is nuclear power. While nuclear plants don't cause air pollution, they do create radioactive waste, which must be stored for thousands of years. As accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl proved, nuclear plants also carry the risk of catastrophic failure. And nuclear power can be very expensive.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Water Heating Tips
Water Heating
Keep Your Energy Bills Out of Hot WaterInsulate your water heater to save energy and money.
Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 13% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient water heater.
Water Heating Tips
Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads.
Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 120°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses.
Take more showers than baths. Bathing uses the most hot water in the average household.
Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Insulate your natural gas or oil hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the water heater's top, bottom, thermostat, or burner compartment. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations; when in doubt, get professional help.
Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.
If you are in the market for a new dishwasher or clothes washer, consider buying an efficient, water-saving ENERGY STAR model to reduce hot water use.
Install heat traps on the hot and cold pipes at the water heater to prevent heat loss. Some new water heaters have built-in heat traps.
Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer's advice.
Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than 7 years old. Doing some research before your heater fails will enable you to select one that most appropriately meets your needs.
Keep Your Energy Bills Out of Hot WaterInsulate your water heater to save energy and money.
Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 13% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient water heater.
Water Heating Tips
Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads.
Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 120°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses.
Take more showers than baths. Bathing uses the most hot water in the average household.
Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Insulate your natural gas or oil hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the water heater's top, bottom, thermostat, or burner compartment. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations; when in doubt, get professional help.
Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.
If you are in the market for a new dishwasher or clothes washer, consider buying an efficient, water-saving ENERGY STAR model to reduce hot water use.
Install heat traps on the hot and cold pipes at the water heater to prevent heat loss. Some new water heaters have built-in heat traps.
Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer's advice.
Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than 7 years old. Doing some research before your heater fails will enable you to select one that most appropriately meets your needs.
9 Ways to cut Gasoline Costs
1. Use public transit - Drive to a Park 'n' Ride location
2. Walk or bike - Get healthy while saving on fuel
3. Let your fingers do the walking - Window shop on-line; have items delivered
4. Mail it in - Mail your bills instead of paying in person, or pay your bills online
5. Avoid high speeds - Every 5 mph you drive over 55 is like paying an extra 10 cents per gallon for gas
6. Minimize drag - Heavy loads increase drag, which uses more fuel
7. Drive to, not drive thru - If more than 2 cars are in the drive thru line, park and go inside
8. Don't cook your car - Parking in the sun can cause fuel to simply evaporate
9. Refuel after dark - This reduces vapors from becoming ground level ozone and more of your gas stays in the tank
2. Walk or bike - Get healthy while saving on fuel
3. Let your fingers do the walking - Window shop on-line; have items delivered
4. Mail it in - Mail your bills instead of paying in person, or pay your bills online
5. Avoid high speeds - Every 5 mph you drive over 55 is like paying an extra 10 cents per gallon for gas
6. Minimize drag - Heavy loads increase drag, which uses more fuel
7. Drive to, not drive thru - If more than 2 cars are in the drive thru line, park and go inside
8. Don't cook your car - Parking in the sun can cause fuel to simply evaporate
9. Refuel after dark - This reduces vapors from becoming ground level ozone and more of your gas stays in the tank
Home Energy Saving Tips
Heating Tips
1 - Heating is the single biggest energy use in homes. A well-maintained heating system will hold down fuel costs and provide reliable comfort. Check the filters in your warm air heating system monthly and replace or clean them when they become dirty. Have your heating system checked periodically by a licensed professional.
2 - Proper insulation in walls, ceilings and floors also significantly reduces the loss of heat to the outdoors. Insulation will pay for itself in fuel cost savings and home comfort.
3 - Storm windows and doors are big energy and money savers. They can reduce heating costs by as much as 15% by preventing warm air from escaping to the outside. Double glazed and thermopane windows or even clear plastic across windows can minimize heat escape.
4 - The many small openings in a home can add up to big heat losses. Caulking and weatherstripping cracks in walls and floors, windows and doors will save fuel and money. Keeping the fireplace damper closed tightly when not in use will also result in heating cost savings.
5 - Letting sunlight in by opening curtains, blinds and shades over windows facing the sun helps keep your home warm and reduces heating needs. At night or when the sky is overcast, keeping drapes and curtains closed will help keep the warmth indoors.
6 - Dry air makes you feel colder than moist air at the same temperature. Maintaining home humidity will produce personal comfort at a lower thermostat setting and save money. Shallow pans of water near radiator tops or near warm air vents, or a room humidifier, will help raise humidity levels.
7 - Keeping your heating thermostat at the lowest temperature comfortable for you will save on heating costs.
8 - Insulate heating hot air ducts and hot water pipes that provide heat to the rooms in your home. This will reduce heat loss in areas that are not insulated and will help your heating system work more efficiently.
Cooling Tips
9 - Make sure your air conditioner is the proper size for the area you are cooling. The wrong size air conditioner will use more electricity and increase your energy bills. A unit that is too large for a given area will cool the area too quickly, causing the air conditioner to frequently turn itself on and off. If a unit shuts off quickly, chances are it hasn't been running long enough to reduce the room's humidity and you'll be uncomfortable. If your air conditioner is too small, it will run constantly on hot days without ever achieving good results.
10 - The location of your air conditioner has a lot to do with how efficient it will be. If you have a choice, locate your units on the north, east or the best-shaded side of your home. If the unit is exposed to direct sunlight, it has to work much harder and use more energy to cool your home. Keep shrubbery away from your air conditioner since it blocks vents and reduces the unit's ability to exhaust air.
11 - Regular maintenance will insure that your air conditioner operates efficiently throughout the summer. Check the filter once a month by holding it up to a bright light. If you can't see through it, it's time to clean or replace the filter. You can also check your owner's guide to find out how to safely clean the condenser coils and fins on the outside of the unit.
12 - On very hot days, you can save energy by closing the fresh air intake on your unit. Cooling fresh, warm outside air requires more electricity than re-cooling the air that is already circulating in your home.
13 - You can save on cooling costs by avoiding cooling rooms that are not occupied. If you like your home to be cool when you come home at the end of the day, special automatic timers for air conditioners are available that will turn the unit on before you arrive home.
14 - On hot summer days, the temperature in your attic can reach 150 degrees. Improving the ventilation or increasing the insulation in your attic will lower the temperature of the entire house and make your air conditioner's job a lot easier. Installing an attic fan that is controlled by a thermostat to exhaust the hot air or increasing the insulation factor in your attic can greatly improve the comfort of your home.
15 - Depending on the size of your home, you can save 3% on your cooling costs for every degree you raise your thermostat in the summer. Raising the thermostat from 73 to 78 degrees can mean savings of up to 15% in cooling costs.
16 - Fans can make your air conditioner's job easier while saving you money. Pedestal and ceiling fans improve the air circulation in your home, allowing you to raise the air conditioner's thermostat. In moderate heat, fans can sometimes completely replace air conditioners. Ceiling fans use only about one tenth the electricity of a typical home air conditioner.
17 - To stay most comfortable during the hottest hours of the day, do your cooking, laundry and bathing in the early morning or late evenings. These activities all increase the level of humidity in your home, making it less comfortable and forcing the air conditioner to work even harder. If other heat generating appliances, such as irons, ovens and blow dryers are used only in the early morning or late evening, your home will stay cooler.
18 - Drapes, shades and awnings shield windows from the hot sun, keeping your home cooler. Your storm windows also come in handy during the summer since they keep cool air in and hot air out. Weatherstripping and caulking windows and door frames will also keep cool air from leaking out. Certain reflective films can be used on windows to screen out the hot rays of the sun without reducing the amount of light you receive. And, when doors and windows are shut, your air conditioner will operate more efficiently.
Refrigerator & Freezer Tips
19 - Like other appliances that heat and cool, refrigerators are big energy users. If your refrigerator door does not shut tightly, check the door seal to see if it needs to be cleaned or replaced. A door leak allows cool air to escape, forcing your refrigerator to use more energy to keep food cold.
20 - Cleaning the condenser coils found in the back or bottom of the refrigerator will maximize its efficiency. A brush or vacuum can be used. Be sure to unplug the refrigerator before you start cleaning.
21 - Keep the refrigerator away from heating appliances (ovens and dishwashers), windows, and heating ducts. Direct exposure to heat forces the unit to work harder and use more energy. If you have a freezer or refrigerator in your garage, remember that the garage is not cooled and it will run more to keep cool.
22 - When purchasing a new refrigerator consider a high efficiency model. Compare yellow Energy Guide labels and choose the unit that uses the least amount of electricity.
23 - A freezer's efficiency is increased by keeping its compartment full. Be careful not to block the fan that allows cold air to circulate.
24 - Although automatic defrost refrigerators are convenient, their defrosting features use a lot of electricity. A manual defrost refrigerator typically uses 36% less energy.
25 - Check temperature settings for the most efficient appliance operation. Refrigerator temperature should be 36-38 degrees and freezer temperature should be 0-5 degrees.
Laundry Tips
26 - Ninety percent of the energy your washer uses goes toward heating water. You can save energy dollars by using hot water only for heavily soiled laundry. Most laundry can be washed in warm water and lightly soiled loads can be washed in cold water. You can also save by using cold water rinses for each load, because the temperature of the water used during the rinse cycle will not make your clothes any cleaner.
27 - Run the washer only when you have a full load of laundry to save energy and water.
28 - If you have more than one load of clothes to dry, try to do each load immediately after the one before to use the heat left over from the previous cycle and increase the efficiency of the dryer.
29 - If you're in the market for a new clothes dryer, consider purchasing one with a "moisture sensing" device that shuts off automatically when your clothes are dry so the dryer doesn't run longer than needed.
30 - You can reduce drying time and energy use by setting your timer carefully. Over-drying your clothes uses more energy than necessary, and shortens the life of the fabric. Other side effects include shrinkage and static cling.
31 - Drying heavy and light fabrics separately will also keep drying time to a minimum. Mixing different weight fabrics causes the dryer to run longer than necessary.
32 - Remember to check the lint filter before each load. Lint buildup blocks air flow and lengthens drying time, costing you energy dollars.
Hot Water Use
33 - The water heater is the second largest energy consumer in the home and using it efficiently can add up to big savings. For families with an automatic dishwasher, the hot water heater setting can safely be lowered to 130-140 degrees. If the automatic dishwasher has a water temperature booster, the water heater temperature can be set to 110-120 degrees. If your house will be vacant for two or more days, you can lower the temperature of your water heater even more until you return. If you have a new water heater, drain a few gallons from your tank every six months to remove sediment that accumulates and reduces the heater's efficiency. If you only use your hot water once or twice a day, you may consider installing a timer on your hot water heater and set it up to run two hours in the morning and the evening.
34 - Wrapping a fiberglass blanket around your water heater and securing it with duct tape, or installing a ready-made insulation kit can save up to 10% on water heating costs. Most new water heaters are already insulated, so this tip is most effective for heaters that are more than five years old. Also, insulate hot water pipes to reduce heat loss as the hot water is flowing to your faucets.
35 - Leaky faucets can add to your hot water bill so repair them as soon as possible. The constant drip wastes water, energy and money. You can also save by installing an inexpensive "flow control" device in shower heads and faucets.
36 - It pays to operate appliances that use hot water wisely. Running the clothes washer with a full load and using cold water whenever possible can lead to big energy savings. Use detergents that clean clothes effectively in cold water. Rinsing dishes with cold water before loading them into the dishwasher and running the dishwasher only when it's completely full will also save money.
Dishwashers
37 - Eighty percent of the energy used in automatic dishwashers goes toward heating water. Significant savings take place by running the dishwasher only when it is full. Running a half-filled dishwasher twice uses two times as much energy as running a full load once.
38 - Washing dishes by hand may not save energy or money. In fact, you can probably save energy using the dishwasher since hand-washing usually requires more hot water.
39 - When shopping for a new dishwasher, look for models that require less hot water. Dishwashers differ in the number of gallons of hot water used in the wash cycle. The manufacturer's specifications or the Energy Guide label should list this information.
40 - Many new dishwashers have an internal water heater that raises the temperature of the incoming water to 140 degrees. This device allows you to turn down the temperature on the water heater in your home and still have your dishes washed thoroughly.
41 - Take advantage of the energy saving control on many dishwashers. It turns off the heat during the drying cycle. Opening the dishwasher after the rinse cycle and letting the dishes air dry is another way to save energy.
Cooking Tips
42 - A microwave oven is an energy efficient alternative to a conventional oven. It cooks food more quickly and it uses 70-80% less electricity than a regular oven.
43 - When you're cooking on top of the range, use pots and pans that are properly sized to "fit" the burners. Using a small pan on a large burner wastes energy and can be a safety hazard. Cookware with flat bottoms and tight covers are your best choice. Always cook with lids on your pans, as this keeps the heat inside and speeds up cooking time.
44 - If you do use a conventional oven, try to avoid "peeking" by opening the oven door. Each "peek" can lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees. Use a toaster oven to cook small items.
45 - Although often recommended, it's not really necessary to preheat the oven for foods with a cooking time of over one hour. Using glass pans allows you to set the oven 25 degrees lower because glass retains heat.
46 - When preparing a meal in your oven, try to use foods that are cooked at about the same temperature. That way your oven can cook several dishes at the same time.
Lighting Tips
47 - Lighting accounts for about 15% of a home's electric use. New screw-in fluorescent bulbs can replace the incandescent ones most of us use. Fluorescent bulbs are more expensive, but they last 10 times longer and use 75% less electricity.
48 - If you prefer incandescent bulbs, try to use "energy saver" bulbs. These bulbs use halogen gases that allow the filament to burn brighter while consuming less electricity.
49 - A lot of energy can be saved by matching as closely as possible light bulb wattage to lighting needs. For example, a high wattage reading light in a hallway or alcove is not energy efficient.
50 - You can save by turning off incandescent lights when you leave the room. If you use fluorescent lighting, however, turn them off only if you'll be gone longer than 15 minutes. Fluorescent lights use as much energy in starting as they use during 15 minutes of operation, so it's not worthwhile to turn them off for brief periods.
51 - Lighting controls or "timers" can help save energy dollars, too. Timers can be set to turn lights on or off at predetermined times while photocell controls are sensitive to light and turn lamps on and off at sundown and sunrise. Dimmers can vary the level of illumination according to how much light you may want in a given situation.
52 - Consider using task lighting (lighting directed at a specific area) instead of overhead or general lighting, which may light unused areas of the room. By limiting lighting only to areas where it is needed, savings in the cost of bulbs and energy can be made.
53 - Keeping lights and fixtures clean can improve efficiency as much as 20%. Take advantage of reflected light by keeping portable fixtures as close as possible to light colored walls or other surfaces. These easy steps may reduce the number and wattage of bulbs you need and help you save on your energy bills.
1 - Heating is the single biggest energy use in homes. A well-maintained heating system will hold down fuel costs and provide reliable comfort. Check the filters in your warm air heating system monthly and replace or clean them when they become dirty. Have your heating system checked periodically by a licensed professional.
2 - Proper insulation in walls, ceilings and floors also significantly reduces the loss of heat to the outdoors. Insulation will pay for itself in fuel cost savings and home comfort.
3 - Storm windows and doors are big energy and money savers. They can reduce heating costs by as much as 15% by preventing warm air from escaping to the outside. Double glazed and thermopane windows or even clear plastic across windows can minimize heat escape.
4 - The many small openings in a home can add up to big heat losses. Caulking and weatherstripping cracks in walls and floors, windows and doors will save fuel and money. Keeping the fireplace damper closed tightly when not in use will also result in heating cost savings.
5 - Letting sunlight in by opening curtains, blinds and shades over windows facing the sun helps keep your home warm and reduces heating needs. At night or when the sky is overcast, keeping drapes and curtains closed will help keep the warmth indoors.
6 - Dry air makes you feel colder than moist air at the same temperature. Maintaining home humidity will produce personal comfort at a lower thermostat setting and save money. Shallow pans of water near radiator tops or near warm air vents, or a room humidifier, will help raise humidity levels.
7 - Keeping your heating thermostat at the lowest temperature comfortable for you will save on heating costs.
8 - Insulate heating hot air ducts and hot water pipes that provide heat to the rooms in your home. This will reduce heat loss in areas that are not insulated and will help your heating system work more efficiently.
Cooling Tips
9 - Make sure your air conditioner is the proper size for the area you are cooling. The wrong size air conditioner will use more electricity and increase your energy bills. A unit that is too large for a given area will cool the area too quickly, causing the air conditioner to frequently turn itself on and off. If a unit shuts off quickly, chances are it hasn't been running long enough to reduce the room's humidity and you'll be uncomfortable. If your air conditioner is too small, it will run constantly on hot days without ever achieving good results.
10 - The location of your air conditioner has a lot to do with how efficient it will be. If you have a choice, locate your units on the north, east or the best-shaded side of your home. If the unit is exposed to direct sunlight, it has to work much harder and use more energy to cool your home. Keep shrubbery away from your air conditioner since it blocks vents and reduces the unit's ability to exhaust air.
11 - Regular maintenance will insure that your air conditioner operates efficiently throughout the summer. Check the filter once a month by holding it up to a bright light. If you can't see through it, it's time to clean or replace the filter. You can also check your owner's guide to find out how to safely clean the condenser coils and fins on the outside of the unit.
12 - On very hot days, you can save energy by closing the fresh air intake on your unit. Cooling fresh, warm outside air requires more electricity than re-cooling the air that is already circulating in your home.
13 - You can save on cooling costs by avoiding cooling rooms that are not occupied. If you like your home to be cool when you come home at the end of the day, special automatic timers for air conditioners are available that will turn the unit on before you arrive home.
14 - On hot summer days, the temperature in your attic can reach 150 degrees. Improving the ventilation or increasing the insulation in your attic will lower the temperature of the entire house and make your air conditioner's job a lot easier. Installing an attic fan that is controlled by a thermostat to exhaust the hot air or increasing the insulation factor in your attic can greatly improve the comfort of your home.
15 - Depending on the size of your home, you can save 3% on your cooling costs for every degree you raise your thermostat in the summer. Raising the thermostat from 73 to 78 degrees can mean savings of up to 15% in cooling costs.
16 - Fans can make your air conditioner's job easier while saving you money. Pedestal and ceiling fans improve the air circulation in your home, allowing you to raise the air conditioner's thermostat. In moderate heat, fans can sometimes completely replace air conditioners. Ceiling fans use only about one tenth the electricity of a typical home air conditioner.
17 - To stay most comfortable during the hottest hours of the day, do your cooking, laundry and bathing in the early morning or late evenings. These activities all increase the level of humidity in your home, making it less comfortable and forcing the air conditioner to work even harder. If other heat generating appliances, such as irons, ovens and blow dryers are used only in the early morning or late evening, your home will stay cooler.
18 - Drapes, shades and awnings shield windows from the hot sun, keeping your home cooler. Your storm windows also come in handy during the summer since they keep cool air in and hot air out. Weatherstripping and caulking windows and door frames will also keep cool air from leaking out. Certain reflective films can be used on windows to screen out the hot rays of the sun without reducing the amount of light you receive. And, when doors and windows are shut, your air conditioner will operate more efficiently.
Refrigerator & Freezer Tips
19 - Like other appliances that heat and cool, refrigerators are big energy users. If your refrigerator door does not shut tightly, check the door seal to see if it needs to be cleaned or replaced. A door leak allows cool air to escape, forcing your refrigerator to use more energy to keep food cold.
20 - Cleaning the condenser coils found in the back or bottom of the refrigerator will maximize its efficiency. A brush or vacuum can be used. Be sure to unplug the refrigerator before you start cleaning.
21 - Keep the refrigerator away from heating appliances (ovens and dishwashers), windows, and heating ducts. Direct exposure to heat forces the unit to work harder and use more energy. If you have a freezer or refrigerator in your garage, remember that the garage is not cooled and it will run more to keep cool.
22 - When purchasing a new refrigerator consider a high efficiency model. Compare yellow Energy Guide labels and choose the unit that uses the least amount of electricity.
23 - A freezer's efficiency is increased by keeping its compartment full. Be careful not to block the fan that allows cold air to circulate.
24 - Although automatic defrost refrigerators are convenient, their defrosting features use a lot of electricity. A manual defrost refrigerator typically uses 36% less energy.
25 - Check temperature settings for the most efficient appliance operation. Refrigerator temperature should be 36-38 degrees and freezer temperature should be 0-5 degrees.
Laundry Tips
26 - Ninety percent of the energy your washer uses goes toward heating water. You can save energy dollars by using hot water only for heavily soiled laundry. Most laundry can be washed in warm water and lightly soiled loads can be washed in cold water. You can also save by using cold water rinses for each load, because the temperature of the water used during the rinse cycle will not make your clothes any cleaner.
27 - Run the washer only when you have a full load of laundry to save energy and water.
28 - If you have more than one load of clothes to dry, try to do each load immediately after the one before to use the heat left over from the previous cycle and increase the efficiency of the dryer.
29 - If you're in the market for a new clothes dryer, consider purchasing one with a "moisture sensing" device that shuts off automatically when your clothes are dry so the dryer doesn't run longer than needed.
30 - You can reduce drying time and energy use by setting your timer carefully. Over-drying your clothes uses more energy than necessary, and shortens the life of the fabric. Other side effects include shrinkage and static cling.
31 - Drying heavy and light fabrics separately will also keep drying time to a minimum. Mixing different weight fabrics causes the dryer to run longer than necessary.
32 - Remember to check the lint filter before each load. Lint buildup blocks air flow and lengthens drying time, costing you energy dollars.
Hot Water Use
33 - The water heater is the second largest energy consumer in the home and using it efficiently can add up to big savings. For families with an automatic dishwasher, the hot water heater setting can safely be lowered to 130-140 degrees. If the automatic dishwasher has a water temperature booster, the water heater temperature can be set to 110-120 degrees. If your house will be vacant for two or more days, you can lower the temperature of your water heater even more until you return. If you have a new water heater, drain a few gallons from your tank every six months to remove sediment that accumulates and reduces the heater's efficiency. If you only use your hot water once or twice a day, you may consider installing a timer on your hot water heater and set it up to run two hours in the morning and the evening.
34 - Wrapping a fiberglass blanket around your water heater and securing it with duct tape, or installing a ready-made insulation kit can save up to 10% on water heating costs. Most new water heaters are already insulated, so this tip is most effective for heaters that are more than five years old. Also, insulate hot water pipes to reduce heat loss as the hot water is flowing to your faucets.
35 - Leaky faucets can add to your hot water bill so repair them as soon as possible. The constant drip wastes water, energy and money. You can also save by installing an inexpensive "flow control" device in shower heads and faucets.
36 - It pays to operate appliances that use hot water wisely. Running the clothes washer with a full load and using cold water whenever possible can lead to big energy savings. Use detergents that clean clothes effectively in cold water. Rinsing dishes with cold water before loading them into the dishwasher and running the dishwasher only when it's completely full will also save money.
Dishwashers
37 - Eighty percent of the energy used in automatic dishwashers goes toward heating water. Significant savings take place by running the dishwasher only when it is full. Running a half-filled dishwasher twice uses two times as much energy as running a full load once.
38 - Washing dishes by hand may not save energy or money. In fact, you can probably save energy using the dishwasher since hand-washing usually requires more hot water.
39 - When shopping for a new dishwasher, look for models that require less hot water. Dishwashers differ in the number of gallons of hot water used in the wash cycle. The manufacturer's specifications or the Energy Guide label should list this information.
40 - Many new dishwashers have an internal water heater that raises the temperature of the incoming water to 140 degrees. This device allows you to turn down the temperature on the water heater in your home and still have your dishes washed thoroughly.
41 - Take advantage of the energy saving control on many dishwashers. It turns off the heat during the drying cycle. Opening the dishwasher after the rinse cycle and letting the dishes air dry is another way to save energy.
Cooking Tips
42 - A microwave oven is an energy efficient alternative to a conventional oven. It cooks food more quickly and it uses 70-80% less electricity than a regular oven.
43 - When you're cooking on top of the range, use pots and pans that are properly sized to "fit" the burners. Using a small pan on a large burner wastes energy and can be a safety hazard. Cookware with flat bottoms and tight covers are your best choice. Always cook with lids on your pans, as this keeps the heat inside and speeds up cooking time.
44 - If you do use a conventional oven, try to avoid "peeking" by opening the oven door. Each "peek" can lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees. Use a toaster oven to cook small items.
45 - Although often recommended, it's not really necessary to preheat the oven for foods with a cooking time of over one hour. Using glass pans allows you to set the oven 25 degrees lower because glass retains heat.
46 - When preparing a meal in your oven, try to use foods that are cooked at about the same temperature. That way your oven can cook several dishes at the same time.
Lighting Tips
47 - Lighting accounts for about 15% of a home's electric use. New screw-in fluorescent bulbs can replace the incandescent ones most of us use. Fluorescent bulbs are more expensive, but they last 10 times longer and use 75% less electricity.
48 - If you prefer incandescent bulbs, try to use "energy saver" bulbs. These bulbs use halogen gases that allow the filament to burn brighter while consuming less electricity.
49 - A lot of energy can be saved by matching as closely as possible light bulb wattage to lighting needs. For example, a high wattage reading light in a hallway or alcove is not energy efficient.
50 - You can save by turning off incandescent lights when you leave the room. If you use fluorescent lighting, however, turn them off only if you'll be gone longer than 15 minutes. Fluorescent lights use as much energy in starting as they use during 15 minutes of operation, so it's not worthwhile to turn them off for brief periods.
51 - Lighting controls or "timers" can help save energy dollars, too. Timers can be set to turn lights on or off at predetermined times while photocell controls are sensitive to light and turn lamps on and off at sundown and sunrise. Dimmers can vary the level of illumination according to how much light you may want in a given situation.
52 - Consider using task lighting (lighting directed at a specific area) instead of overhead or general lighting, which may light unused areas of the room. By limiting lighting only to areas where it is needed, savings in the cost of bulbs and energy can be made.
53 - Keeping lights and fixtures clean can improve efficiency as much as 20%. Take advantage of reflected light by keeping portable fixtures as close as possible to light colored walls or other surfaces. These easy steps may reduce the number and wattage of bulbs you need and help you save on your energy bills.
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