The piece covers how homeowners can take their home’s energy efficiency to the next level through more-efficient product upgrades and additions as well as simple, low-cost and even no-cost upgrades and actions.

Bob Markovich, home and yard editor of Consumer Reports says, “According to our recent nationally representative survey, of more than 2,000 Americans, only 12 percent added or upgraded their home’s insulation in the past three years and just 5 percent had insulated their heating and cooling ductwork — quick fixes that save you money for years to come.”

Consumer Reports looks at four key categories in the October issue…

• Heating and cooling
• Water
• Recycling
• Electricity

Consumer Reports notes that the Heating & Cooling category is the area where homeowners can save the most. Some of their tips include…

• Use a combination of caulk, foam board, expandable sealant, and weather stripping to mask leaks.
• Check insulation levels; if the attic has less than 11 inches of fiberglass or rock wool or less than 8 inches of cellulose, you should probably add more.
• Get a programmable thermostat.

Water Consumption is an area where you may be able to save more than $400 annually, and most of those savings, according to Consumer Reports is simply by stopping drips and leaks. Other tips…

• Upgrade to water-efficient fixtures.
• Watch the water heater; lower the temperature to 120 F and insulate hot-water pipes.

Electricity Use was another good place to save money and the changes here are easy. By simply changing 10 incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs and replacing three major appliances with energy-efficient models, you could save hundreds per year.

Recycling is an awesome category to see, and I’m glad CR decided to include it in their report. While recycling only saved about $250 per year, many people found it easy to do and thus lowered their garbage bills. According to CR, you should try RecycleBank, which “Lets people put all of their recyclables in one container instead of separating them by type then it weighs the container and issues rewards or points redeemable at local retailers, the average households get $250 worth.” They also note you should redeem bottles deposits as millions of dollars are unclaimed every year.

The full report on energy-saving products — including Consumer Reports tests of pellet stoves and solar water heaters, and tips on saving energy costs — is in the October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine. It’s also available online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

[image via stock.xchng]

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• Store batteries at the right temperature. The fridge is NOT the place for batteries, no matter what silly rumors you’ve heard. This can actually ruin your batteries. Read this battery storage guide for tips.
• Use batteries that match. If you put batteries in some item, and they fail to work, make sure the brands match.
• Don’t mix old and new batteries – not only is this a way to perform less efficiently but it can actually cause the older battery to leak and burst – DANGER!
• Clean batteries that seem grungy. Read this easy battery cleaning guide.
• Finally, if your batteries seem dead, check to make sure you actually put them in right. I’ve made this mistake before (silly right) but you may as well check before you toss a battery.

[image via stock.xchng]

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Rechargeable batteries.

Gaiam NiMH Batteries & Chargers – shown above

If you haven’t jumped on board with rechargeable batteries, you really should. The benefits are huge, both on a planet and money saving level. According to the Daily Green, “More than 15 billion batteries are thrown away each year.” WOW. Batteries not only NEVER biodegrade but they contain toxic gunk that can leak out of said batteries and contaminate soil and water. Now, if the planet is your only concern, you can recycle batteries – check Earth 911 for a recycling center near you.

However, if part of your game plan is also to save money (I know it is) get some rechargeable batteries.

Do they really save you that much money?:

Yes, they actually do. It may seem overwhelming because start up costs can be high, especially if you own many electronics that require batteries, but in the long run, you will save $. Grinning Planet offers a good rundown of just how rechargeable save you money and also note when they don’t. For example GP says that, “There are some uses where rechargeable batteries simply do not make economic sense… [such as for] low-draw devices like battery-powered wall clocks, smoke detectors, and remote controls, or devices that have long idle times (measured in months), like emergency flashlights.“

Which rechargeable to buy?:

Aim for quality at the get-go. If you’re paying for them, you may as well get decent ones. Check out Gaiam NiMH Batteries & Chargers which are good in my opinion or read, The Best Rechargeable Batteries and Chargers Of 2009.

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If you have a disposal, you need to run it for about 30 seconds before you run your dishwasher or debris left in the disposal can be pulled into the dishwasher drain line and clog it – which of course can lead to my issues. Do I always run the disposal 30 seconds? NO. From now on I will though, and hopefully it solves my problem.

Other ways to keep you dishwasher in tip-top shape (and save you from repairs and new washers) include:

• Use less detergent. Dish wash detergent companies say to add a certain amount of dish soap to your load of dishes, BUT if you actually read your manual, it likely says ONLY add a teaspoon. The soap people want you to buy more soap, but more, doesn’t always equal cleaner and better. Too much detergent can clog your washer and leave icky residue on dishes. All this means you need to waste more water and energy running your washer again and you waste soap.
• Periodically check the holes in the spray arm of your dishwasher. Small bits of paper and other junk can get stuck in there and then your machine won’t work as well.
• You need to clean your dishwasher filter out once in a while. Check your manual for instructions.
• Keep the exterior clean as well which can help avoid soap buildup and rust. Plain old hot water and a little soap work fine.
• Always read your specific manual. There’s a section with upkeep and cleaning – actually follow this. It may seem like a small thing, but having to buy a new washer can be pricey when you’re not expecting it.

Got any other cool dishwasher tips?

[image via stock.xchng]

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I was at Lowe’s Foods the other day and noticed they have Earth Saver bags for .99 or you can get them for free by spending your green points.  I think the cost of each bag (with green points) was 1200 points.

I purchased one bag with my green points and then I found out that for each bag you use, Lowe’s Foods will give you 50 points per bag each time you use it!!!! 

I was surprised with how big and sturdy the green bag was.  It wasn’t one of those cheap bags where the seams come apart after you’ve used it a few times.  I was really impressed with how large this bag was, in comparison with other bags I’ve seen.  This one stands up on it’s own and it holds 2-3 times the amount of plastic grocery bags.

The next time I went to Lowe’s, I purchased another reusable bag.  Since I used both bags, I earned another 100 points.  I think I will purchase another bag or two the next time I shop there.  I probably need 5-6 bags so that I can quit using these silly plastic bags.  Speaking of which, I have another huge load of them to recycle.  I’m so sick of these thin plastic bags.  Hopefully, I won’t have to use them much longer.

Another great thing about these bags is that you can use them for other things besides groceries.  I’m using mine this week on a trip to my parent’s house.  They’re holding dvds, snacks, toys, and other things we need.  As I said before, I like them because they stand up on their own.  No more digging through tote bags in the car that are all flopped over.  I can put these in the seat or the floor and we can see what we need.

Have you tried these bags?  What do you think of them?

For more Works-for-Me Wednesday ideas, check out Rocks in My Dryer.

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 1)  Check with your local utility company to see if they offer a free energy use assessment.  Some companies provide inspectors to poke around your home from top to bottom, looking for ways it can be made more efficient.

 2)  Install a programmable thermostat.  Have your thermostat drop down a few degrees while you’re away at work.

 3)  Keep your thermostat at 68 or below.  Put on a sweatshirt if you have to.

 4)  Open blinds during the winter.  This allows the heat from the sun to come in and warm up your house. Close blinds or curtains at night.

 5)  Change filters every month.  Dirty filters can increase your bills by 20% each month. 

 6)  Don’t block vents or radiators with furniture or window coverings.

 7)  Make sure your fireplace damper fits properly and close it when not in use.  Install a glass door fireplace screen.

 8)  Put caulking and weather strips around doors and windows.  Put plastic sheeting around older windows or windows that have a draft.

 9)  Consider replacing some things in your home that are not energy efficient.  Homeowners have until the end of 2007 to take advantage of a one time $500 energy conservation tax credit.  Check out the IRS website for more information. 

10)  Close the vents and the door to unused rooms. 

11)  Remove window air conditioner units during the winter.  These let a lot of cold air into your home.

12)  Seal your heating and cooling ducts.  Click here for more info.

13)  Consider taking on bigger projects such as adding insulation in areas where it is missing.  Many homes are lacking sufficient insulation in their attics.

14)  Get a tune-up for your furnace to make sure it is working properly and not using more energy.

Check out these federal tax credits for energy efficiency.

Can you help add to this list?  What ways help you save on your winter utilities?

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This article gives more information about why we set our clocks back each year.

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Due to our current water shortage, I thought we could all use a reminder of ways to conserve.

25 Ways to Reduce Your Water Bill

Picture from oakharbor.org.

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Well, it’s blazing hot outside.  If you’re like me, you try not to turn on the stove if you can help it.  Here are some tips to keep you out of the kitchen and keep your house cooler.

 1.  When it’s time to cook something that will freeze well (such as lasagnas, spaghetti sauce, casseroles, chili, etc.) make a double or triple batch for future meals.  These are also great for days when you’re in a hurry.  It will prevent you from spending money on eating out.  Check out my 25 freezing tips.

 2. Prepare larger quantities of meat in advance for future meals and freeze it.  I’ve done this before with hamburger.  When hamburger or ground chuck goes on sale, cook it and drain the fat, then freeze it into the portion sizes you need.  These will come in handy when making spaghetti, lasagna, tacos, shepherd’s pie, etc. 

 3.  Put the crock pot to use.  Toss the ingredients in the crock pot and come back in 6-8 hours for a nice hot meal.  Here are my favorite crock pot recipes or here’s a link to a carnival of crock pot recipes.

 4.  Try simple meals.  Eggs, omelets, cottage cheese with fruit, etc.  You don’t have to spend an hour cooking to enjoy dinner.

 5.  Turn on the grill (or get the charcoal started).  You can prepare your entire meal on the grill.  Grill chicken, potatoes, and vegetables all at once.  Here is the carnival of the recipes, grill edition that I hosted.  You’ll probably find some good recipe ideas there.  Sometimes I grill extra food for lunch the next day.  I also like to grill extra chicken so that we can have salads the next night.  Grilled chicken is yummy on salad! 

 6.  Take time to try new recipes for salads and sandwiches.  Salads and sandwiches don’t have to be boring.  Try this one for oriental ramen noodle salad.  It’s a great side dish and has been a top read at Thrifty Mommy for a while. 

 7.  Try canned foods.  Why spend hours cooking beans (and heating up your house) when you can buy them in a can?   

 8.  Look for frozen foods that you can use for meals.  Sometimes when I’m in a rush, I use the Delimex frozen taquitos.  Add some Mexican rice and canned refried beans and you have an easy meal that doesn’t heat up the house too much.

 9.  Share with friends.  When I lived in Virginia I had a really great friend to share with.  Sometimes she called me on the way home from work to see if I had anything good to eat.  I’d share my pot of chili or give her half a cake (we couldn’t eat it all, nor did we need to).  She would have us over for dinner regularly or she’d share with us.  Neither of us had children and it kept us from slaving over a stove and it was also a nice treat to try new things.

10.   Try convenience foods, within reason.  I’m not big on convenience foods because of the price, but sometimes they’re worth it.  This week I needed some cole slaw mix.  I decided it was worth paying $1.99 for the 1 lb package of pre-cut cole slaw rather than buying the cabbage and carrots and cutting it up.  It didn’t cost me much extra to buy it pre-cut.  Watch out for pre-cut produce or marinated meats.  They’re pretty costly.

11.  Enjoy fresh vegetables.  You can make a lot of different foods that don’t require much or any cooking.  Try making a pasta salad.  You just cook the rotini noodles and then you can add fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and other fresh vegetables, then drizzle with Italian dressing.  Try sliced vegetables with a cold ranch dip.  Have a tomato sandwich to go with your pasta salad or add some ham if you need to have some meat.

12.  Try instant foods.  I use these very sparingly because of preservatives.  If you’re in a hurry though, you can open a can of spaghetti sauce, try some of the precooked rice, or mix up some Hamburger Helper.

13.  Cook your food at night.  It’s too hot during the day to try and cool my house while cooking.  Sometimes I will wait until the evening to do my baking.  Last week I waited until evening to make my husband’s birthday cake and the pasta salad and cucumber salad for his party.  It saved me some stress too!

14.  Try smoothies.  Just writing this makes me crave something cold and refreshing.  Take advantage of the fresh fruit we’re having and make a smoothie for breakfast or lunch.  Making smoothies also enables you to try fruits that maybe you normally wouldn’t buy.  Sounds like a great trick way for me to get my kids to eat their fruit!

15. Try using a toaster oven or small convection oven.  I grew up with my mom using a toaster oven and I love it!  I can use it to cook muffins, little pizzas, baked fries, chicken nuggets, and more.  Try these toaster oven recipes.  A great way to cook without turning on the stove.

I know I didn’t cover all the ways to keep from heating up the stove or working hard in the hot kitchen.  Please share your summer cooking tips in the comment section.  Thanks!

image from sxc.hu

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