A new solar-powered air conditioner has been introduced by SPP (Solar Panels Plus). It is high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rated (SEER) and is called the SplitCool DC18.
The air conditioner runs on a bank of batteries powered by solar panels and can be installed without adding ducts. It would handle each room as a separate zone. It also features a remote compressor, allowing for quiet operation.
Read more about it here.
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The new Hybrid Water Heater from GE will soon be available throughout North America by the end of January.
This new appliance is said to be 62 percent more efficient than an older electric water heater and can save consumers hundreds of dollars every year.
Along with the usual resistance elements and the latest in heat pump technology, GE’s hybrid water heater draws heat from the surrounding air to heat the water.
Read the article here if you’d like to learn more about this new water heater and to learn the major retail store that will be amongh the first to carry it.
With a government tailor-made for smart grid technology, the Chinese city of Yangzhou will be the staging ground for GE to introduce its smart grid to the region.
Needless to say, China’s demand for energy has increased dramatically in recent years, so the advent of this new technology holds quite a lot of promise. GE will have a demonstration center in Yangzhou displaying all of the major components of a smart grid system: the smart meter, compatible thermostats, new smart appliances.
Read more about it, once again, at Appliance Magazine.
I always get irritated when the dishwasher isn’t working effectively. I am not a fan of washing dishes, so I rely on the dishwasher to do the work for me. However, like all machines, the dishwasher only remains useful if I keep it maintained. Here are some suggestions:
1) Take a look at the door frame. Check the gasket to make sure it seals all the water in. Seal any gaps or replace the gasket. Then clean all around the door frame. Food and water calcification might build up here.
2) Check the water sprayer and catch drain. If the catch drain is removable, pull it out. Clear out all food, slime, or any other buildup.
3) Run a cleaning cycle using detergent and vinegar. This will help keep the dishwasher clean longer.
4) Check to make sure the machine is level to prevent leaks.
Refrigerator maintenance is a key element to keeping your energy bills low.
I found a great article featuring basic tips to clean and care for your fridge and freezer. The step-by-step instructions will guide you to clean your condenser coils, the drain hole, the drip pan, and the gaskets. Next, change the water filter (if your fridge has an ice maker or a water dispenser). Finally, make sure the fridge is level with the floor to ensure the doors are sealing properly when shut.
A mere 30 minutes of care for your refrigerator will keep it running strong!
Winter is almost upon us, so now is the time to check your furnace to make sure it is in prime condition. It isn’t easy to dial a repairman on the phone when you are shivering from the cold.
Before you begin, flip the breaker for your furnace in your home’s electrical panel to avoid the risk of electric shock. Also, make sure the gas valve is turned off.
First, take a vacuum (with a pole attachment) and clean all the relevant sections of your heating system: The main compartment of the furnace, the blower blades, the air intake vents.
Second, check the fan belt. If there are signs of wear and tear, replace it.
Next, replace the filter. In fact, it would be best to buy extras and replace the filter once every month or two during the winter months to avoid dust buildup.
The fourth step is to inspect the sheet metal duct system for possible damage. The various temperatures of the air pushed through the ducts throughout the year inevitably make the metal expand or contract. Duct tape is the obvious choice to fill in any cracks.
Finally, flip the breaker back on, turn the gas valve back on, relight the pilot (if necessary), and adjust the thermostat temperature to test the system. If everything is in order, you are ready for the winter!
When living in Florida you need a working Air Conditioner or AC as we call it. Before you know it your AC will need repaired. What if we could change the repair to just a little maintenance? With the way the market is we need to save as much money as we can. We have some basic tips that will not only help you save money, but get a longer life span out of your Air Conditioner.
The first thing we always do is review the owner’s manual so we fully understand what we are going to be doing. If you do not have your manual, Contact the air conditioner’s manufacturer, or contact Superior Appliance Parts. We will be happy to find a replacement users manual. Please do this first. Even if your not having problems, you should make sure you have your manual handy. For when you do really need it.
Turn the power off on the AC unit, Some homes have separate breakers just for the AC. Please double check to make sure that the power is turned off. Check the panel of switches. If you can, unplug the unit from the house. You can all ways turn off all the power to the house it this helps your piece of mind.
Inspect the power cord, is it Frayed or Worn? If yes, then time for a new cord. If the cord looks ok then pull out your volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM). You can pick one up at Home Depot or radio shack for around $30.00. Set it to RX1 scale and test the plug prongs. if the meter reads Zero then Great cords ok. If higher then 0 then time for a new cord.
You should already have the control box unscrewed and open after inspecting the power cord. So we will check the control panel, dose it look like anything shorted out? dose any selector switch have burn marks? If they do Time to Replacements.
All AC’s have a return and should have a filter in front of the return. The filer should be cleaned every 30 days. Some filters say 3 moths but with all the dust in the air or if you have kids or pets, i would change it every 30 days. If you have a Washable Filters you can carefully scrubbed with mild detergent, rinsed and let dried completely before putting it back in it’s home. If you never want to replace your AC filter again, Order the last filer you will ever have to buy, Here! I like to vacume off all the vents in the house once a month to remove any dust that could start to clog the air flow.
This should be done monthly as well. This can be done with a house hold vacuum. Just be carefull not yo push to hard and bend or crease your AC coils. If you do its not the end of the world. Get a fine tooth comb, and CAREFULLY straighten out the fins.
When its humid your AC is going to sweet. that’s why it has a drain. If your drain is clogged it can course backup spillage or even mildew, yek! You can clean drain out with a snake (tool plummers use). If it was me, I just unhuck the drain pipe and blow as hard as I can. I know it sounds grows but it dose the job. Sometimes air conditioner have more then one drain ports, so check to see if there is more then one and do the same to any others you fine.
For something that works so hard we never take the time to even think about the fan of the AC. If your fan is fan makes a lot of noise or is just sitting there (not turning), try cleaning the poor thing. Open your AC unit and vacuum away dirt. Then wipe with a soft cloth (sham-wow style or not your call). Once clean, check for any loose fan blades. Tighten if needed. You may also need to tighten the fan on the motor shaft. Use a long-blade screwdriver for this. If the fan housing is loose then get your wrenches out. Some fan with well have oil port. If they do, oil them every month with a couple drops of 20-weight non-detergent motor oil.
If any thing ever becomes to much, call your local Repair company. If you do all the steps listed above you will not only save time but you should have a good idea whats wrong before you ever pick up the phone. We are starting to set up a directory of Local Appliance Repair Companies. Check them out or if you would like to be added to the list, Head over to our contact page.
Any one of these things will help you cool off your house. Not only will these tips save you time and cool your house off, but will help you save money. When your AC dose not have to work as hard, weather that is pulling air in easier because the filter is clean or running the fan on the out side easier because it is all tightened up. When things are taken care of they tend to last longer. So do a little extra to get a better life span on your AC.
by: Ibrahim Saeed
With all the home energy saving tips and conservation ideas available today, some homeowners and renters alike may not know what area of their home to address first. Consider this, according to the U.S Department of Energy your home windows are single handedly responsible for up to 25% of the total amount of wasted or lost energy.
Windows provide much visible and decorative appeal. However windows are heat loss and heat gains best friend. Just consider how much better insulated the interior of your home would be without any windows, just walls. No need to permanently seal your windows. After all windows provide many other needed things aside from just a view, like ventilation, natural lighting and even free solar heat during the winter months.
Fortunately there are several more sensible approaches to reducing heat gain and heat loss at the window. Here are 7 no cost and low cost home energy saving tips and conservation ideas that will significantly insulate your windows, reducing costly heat loss and heat gain.
7 Home Energy Saving Tips To Insulate Your Windows
Inspect the caulk around all of your windows. If you can identify cracks, even small cracks, then reapply caulk to seal them. Cracks are a clear indication of moisture build up and moisture build up indicates air leakage. This should be preformed at least twice a year.
Take a look at the weather stripping around your windows. While you’re at it check your front, back and patio doors too. This is often over looked; weather stripping should be reapplied at least every other year, especially on windows and doors that are in high traffic areas.
During the summer and spring months, consider making the habit of closing window coverings (curtains, drapes) on south and west facing windows during the peak sun light hours of the day. Your windows facing south and west are exposed to direct sunlight several hours longer than your windows facing north and east. This will reduce unwanted solar heat from penetrating your home and give your cooling system a break.
Consider decorating your windows with light colored curtains, shades and drapes during the summer and spring months. White and light shaded curtains naturally and effortlessly reflect unwanted heat away from the inside of a home.
During the winter and fall months, get into the habit of opening window coverings on south and west facing windows during the daytime, especially south facing windows. This will allow the suns natural heat to penetrate your home and give your heating system a much deserved break.
Always keep your window coverings closed at night during the winter and fall months. And if your decorative taste permits, use tight fitting window treatments on all windows during the heating season to enhance insulation.
Consider using an array of energy saving window treatments and coverings. There are several year round window coverings such as cellular shades and some exterior treatments that can reduce heat gain by as much as 86% and heat loss by as much as 80%.
Some of these energy saving tips and conservation ideas are completely cost free measures. Some of these tips call for relatively inexpensive up front costs. Feel free to adopt the measures you see fit for your home.
About The Author
It’s true that for some saving energy at home is fueled by environmental concerns, but the savings from conserving is what interests us all.
Visit http://www.lower-my-energybill.com/energy-saving-tips.html for other energy saving tips and conservation ideas that are sure to lower their utility bills for years to come.
Ibrahim Saeed,
by: Ibrahim Saeed
These 6 home energy saving tips and conservation ideas can significantly reduce the strain on your water heater and the strain on your household budget. Water heating is often an over looked energy cost by many homeowners.
It’s true that water conservation in it’s self is important, but considering the dual cost of hot water (your water bill and either your natural gas or electricity bill), reducing your homes hot water use will significantly improve efficiency and savings.
In fact water heating alone is the third largest household source of energy. Machine washing clothes, showering and automatic dishwashing are the household activities responsible for 80% of total indoor hot water use in the average American home.
6 Home Energy Saving Tips To Reduce Water Heating Costs
1: Check the washing recommendations for you and your family member’s most often worn clothing. When possible, wash most clothing in cold water. Many detergents today allow for the use of cold water with almost any fabrics. Look for detergents labeled with terms like “cold temperature detergent”.
2: Also consider pre soaking clothes (in the washing machine) before even starting the cycle, this cleans and removes stains better and allows for shorter cycles. Use the economy cycle as much as possible (especially for smaller loads and for more delicate fabrics), the economy cycle uses less hot water and less electricity.
3: When ever your stress level permits, take showers instead of baths. Filling up a bath tub can use up to twice as much hot and warm water as a 10 minute shower.
4: Unscrew your bathroom shower heads and inspect them for flow rates. If the flow rates (measured in gallons per minute or GPM) are not visible, you can measure flow rates by using a large size bucket and a stop watch. If the flow rates are 3 GPM or higher then replace them with newer water saving shower heads that have rates of 2.5 GPM or lower.
5: If purchasing low flow shower heads, consider models that have shut off valves. These switches allow you to halt the hot water while shampooing, conditioning and lathering. And when you’re done you simply pull or turn the valve again and rinse with the same exact water temperature.
6: Use your dishwasher wisely and somewhat sparingly. Instead consider soaking dirty dishes, pots and pans in the sink, even if it means you will get to rinsing them later. And when using your dishwasher is a must, wash only full loads and pre soak pots and pans and use a shorter washing cycle.
About The Author
It’s true that for some saving energy at home is fueled by environmental concerns, but the savings from conserving is what interests us all. Visit http://www.lower-my-energybill.com/energy-saving-tips.html for other energy saving tips and conservation ideas that are sure to lower their utility bills for years to come.
Ibrahim Saeed,
http://www.lower-my-energybill.com
by: Ibrahim Saeed
Consider these home energy saving tips and conservation ideas and lower your lighting costs and save electricity. According to the U.S department of Energy, the electricity used just for home lighting on average accounts for over 10% of the total household energy used.
With a combination of proper techniques and new lighting technologies, any homeowner can make significant improvements and increase the energy efficiency of their indoor home lighting. The most cost efficient way to reduce the amount of electricity used to light your home is to simply increase and maximize the amount of natural light that enters your home.
The new age of home construction and interior design is maximizing natural lighting by placing heavy focus on spacious living spaces coupled with the right furnishing and the right window treatments. With that said, you don’t have to take on an expensive remodel or hire a professional interior designer to get started.
Maximizing natural light coupled with new energy efficient lighting will significantly reduce the cost of lighting in any home. Here are some home energy saving tips and conservation ideas that are sure to reduce your home lighting costs.
Energy Saving Tips And Conservation Ideas For Home Lighting
1: First and foremost, keep your windows as clean and clear as possible. Just cleaning your windows can improve transparency by as much as 20%.
2: When decorating a room, take into consideration the direction of the room. South and west facing rooms receive plenty of natural light. So if you’re decorative taste calls for darker colored window treatments, paints and furnishings, consider these rooms first. Use lighter and more transparent colors in east and north facing rooms to further maximize on the limited amount of natural light these rooms receive.
3: In general avoid using dark and heavy curtains and drapes. Instead consider energy saving window treatments such as cellular or honeycomb shades. These treatments actually reduce costly heat loss and heat gain better and there considerably more transparent than dark curtains and drapes.
4: Switch to energy star certified CFL light bulbs. Start with the most used light fixtures through out the house. Bedroom lamps and living room lamps generally make good choices.
5: CFLs are not all the same. They come in different shapes and sizes, some types are designed for certain type of light fixtures. Knowing these differences will maximize the energy efficiency of your home lighting.
6: CFL light bulbs are efficient because there designed to use considerably less electricity (measured in watts) to produce the same amount of light (measured in lumens). When making the switch this must be considered. For example, replace a 60 watt traditional bulb with about a 13 watt CFL bulb.
About The Author
It’s true that for some saving energy at home is fueled by environmental concerns, but the savings from conserving is what interests us all. Visit http://www.lower-my-energybill.com/energy-saving-tips.html for other energy saving tips and conservation ideas that are sure to lower their utility bills for years to come.
Ibrahim Saeed,
http://www.lower-my-energybill.com
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