EcoMinutes
July 2009 – Energy Use

070109
It’s summer, it’s hot, and the electric bills are high.  If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, invest in one, it will lower your energy use and bills.  Set the air-conditioner thermostat at 78 degrees or higher for the most energy-efficient operation and use ceiling fans – it will feel 10 degrees cooler.  Install shaded window film to block extra sunlight and reduce air conditioning costs.  Some states have tax incentives for you to do this. Keep drapes closed or add room-darkening shades to block out the heat from the sun – white ones will reflect back the heat.  You can shade the windows on the sunny side of your home by planting deciduous trees; the leaves screen the windows in summer and let the sun shine through in winter. 

070209
To save energy, listen to your mother - if you turned it on – turn it off.  This is the EcoMinute and I’m Enid Sisskin’s daughter, Brynna Hoggard.  When you leave the room, be sure to turn off the lights, TV, or radio whether you turned them on or not.  Use lighting controls; occupancy sensors activate lights when you enter a room and turn them off after you leave, photocells turn lights on and off in response to natural light levels.  Beware of “vampire” power – that’s the power that instant on appliances like TVs, DVD players, microwaves and others keep drawing, even when they are off.  One way to tame your “vampires” is by plugging them into power strips – then turn them off when you’re not using them.  When you go away on a trip, be sure to unplug these same appliances, especially those not on a power strip because their stand-by functions consume electricity even when they are turned off, and it’s a lot safer too. 

070309
It’s the July 4^th weekend and if you are staying in a hotel or motel, consider reusing your towels and sheets during your stay.  Many hotels and motels have cards that allow you to let them know you want to participate in their green lodging program.  The Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary effort by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to encourage the lodging industry to conserve and protect Florida's natural resources. It acknowledges and promotes lodging facilities that demonstrate water and energy conservation, waste minimization, recycling, indoor air quality, environmentally friendly purchasing, program sustainability, and pollution prevention. Hotels and motels employing “green” practices not only save money, but also generate good publicity while helping to protect the environment. 

070609
Regular incandescent light bulbs are inefficient, with 90% of their energy going to generate heat not light.  Changing out just one frequently used incandescent bulb for a compact fluorescent bulb can save an average of $30 or more in electricity costs over its lifetime and prevent more than 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.  If everyone in the county did that – it would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and we would not have to build two power plants and it would prevent the release of greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 80,000 cars. Trade out five bulbs and you’d save close to $8 billion each year in energy costs, and would prevent the greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 10 million cars or even better change out all your light bulbs. 

070709
Save energy by changing your appliances.  This is the EcoMinute and I’m Albert Hansen from the Escambia HS Environmental Club. Domestic appliances account for 47 percent of household electricity consumption. Refrigerators and freezers account for 18% of the electricity bill in a typical house, while washing machines, dryers and dishwashers account for a further 14%, and cooking appliances, another 15%.  Look for the Energy Star logo on appliances.  Replacing an old appliance with an Energy Star rated one will save money, costing you less to run as well as producing fewer carbon emissions. Visit the Department of Energy’s website to see how much you could save.  Refrigerators and freezers should also be kept at least an inch away from the wall to allow the air to circulate behind them. This stops them over-heating and working too hard.

070809
Most schools spend more money on energy than on computers and textbooks combined. This is the EcoMinute, and I'm Brynna Hoggard.  By just turning off the lights and computers in each classroom, every night, or when not being used, you can save your school as much as $150 per computer per year.  Each class can pick an energy monitor to make sure lights and computers are turned off before recess, lunch, and after school.  Create a “Save Energy” sign to hang near your classroom light switches to remind people to turn lights off when not in use.  In fact, schools should rely on natural light rather than artificial light whenever possible, it’s been shown that children learn faster and do better on standardized tests in classrooms with natural light, and there are health benefits too.

070909
Lower the temperature on your water heater.   You’ll still have hot water, but the heater will use less energy. Blanket your water heater, especially on the top.  But even better than a conventional water heater consider getting a tankless water heater.  Tankless water heaters also called instantaneous, continuous flow, inline, flash, on-demand or instant-on water heaters, instantly heat water as it flows through the device, and do not retain any water internally except for what is in the heat exchanger coil. They are more efficient and can save up to 60% of the energy used in standard heaters because they eliminate the need to reheat the water in conventional water heater tanks.  When installed where they are used they also eliminate heat loss in the pipes.

071009
Save money and energy with Gulf Power’s EarthCents Programs… This is the EcoMinute and I’m Jeff Rogers from Gulf Power. EarthCents is a menu of energy efficiency programs for new and existing homes and businesses. EarthCents programs can help you reduce your electricity bill and protect the environment. It can also help delay the need to build new power plants. Reduce your energy costs through a free Gulf Power home Energy Check Up, an EarthCents Program. You can do the check up online at Gulfpower.com or Gulf Power’s energy experts can come to your home and help you find ways to become more energy efficient. They’ll look at everything from weather stripping and insulation to your water heater and HVAC system…and more…and provide you with a detailed report so you know exactly what you need to do to save energy. By implementing recommendations from an Energy Check Up, residential customers can see real savings on their energy bill and reduce their CO2 output. For more information visit gulfpower.com

071309
The average home uses 30% of its energy in the kitchen.  The smallest appliance for the job is the most efficient one.  Use the microwave or a toaster oven for small jobs.  And multitask.  Use a Chinese steamer, for example, which can cook different dishes on different tiers simultaneously. Or be creative; cook your potatoes in the bottom of a double boiler while making a sauce or custard in the top. While bringing a pot of water to boil for pasta, replace the lid with a suitably sized bowl filled with pasta sauce to heat. In the oven, stagger dishes at different rack levels and time your cookie baking for right after you finish roasting or baking larger items. The retained heat will practically give a sheet of cookies a free ride in terms of energy use. And be sure to run your dishwasher only when it’s full and allow the dishes to air dry – it will save 20% of the dishwasher’s energy use.

071409
A great way to add beauty to your home and reduce heating and cooling costs is through landscaping. This is the EcoMinute and I'm Jocelyn Oberlander from the EHS Environmental Club.  Planting trees and shrubs will reduce your home's energy use and save enough money to pay for themselves in just 8 years.  During hotter months, trees will shade your home and lower cooling expenses.  Just planting trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units can save as much as 10% of electricity costs, if you don't block airflow. During cooler months, low-lying trees and shrubs on the north and northeast sides of your home can help protect it from cold winds.  Create dead air spaces and further insulate your home by planting shrubs, bushes, and vines at least a foot away from the outside wall. 

071509
Limit the time you spend on electronics. This is the EcoMinute and I’m Cathleen Del Rosario from the Escambia HS Environmental Club.  Do other activities such as reading, spending time outdoors, playing board games, or studying.  If you can’t help but go over your limit when it comes to using electronics, try using a timer.  Set it for a short period of time and when it goes off, it’ll remind you to stop. Most Americans spend 9 times more time watching TV than doing physical activities. Not only does it waste energy, since fossil fuels supply more than 90% of all power sources, but it also promotes obesity and weaker immune systems.  Also, charge your electronics responsibly. When you’re done charging your cell phone or laptop, unplug the charger. Remember, even though it’s not charging anything, it’s still using energy when it’s plugged in. In addition, you can save a lot of money and energy by using rechargeable batteries. On average, they last for about 500-1000 charge cycles, without producing waste. 

071609
The biggest kitchen energy user is the refrigerator.  Keep your refrigerator 38-40*, and your freezer 3-5*.  Clean the condenser coils on the back once a year. Make sure the door gasket seals tight. Test it by closing the door on a piece of paper and pulling it out.  Or put a flashlight inside and see if the light leaks out when you close the door.  If you see the light or the paper pulls out easily – you need a new gasket.  Refrigerators work best when they are full, but not crowded. The stored food mass retains cold, so the temperature doesn't go up as drastically when doors are opened (or the power is off) as it does in a sparsely stocked refrigerator. However, if it’s packed so tight that air can't circulate, efficiency goes down. And keep the door closed – take what you need and close the door.

071709
EarthCents is a menu of energy efficiency programs for new and existing homes and businesses. This is the EcoMinute and I’m Jeff Rogers from Gulf Power.  EarthCents programs can help you reduce your electricity bill, protect the environment and help delay the need to build new power plants.  Geothermal heating and cooling takes advantage of the Earth’s constant temperature — a renewable energy source — and can save as much as 40 percent on energy costs. Install a geothermal system and you can receive a $400 per ton rebate from Gulf Power and reduce CO2 by 6,313 pounds per year.  Solar Thermal Water Heating lets you heat your water using the power of the sun. You can receive a $1,000 rebate from Gulf Power when a qualified contractor installs a system. You also may be eligible for an additional $500 rebate from the State of Florida, as well as a 30 percent Federal Tax Credit. And here’s the great part…you can save up to 75 percent on your annual water heating cost and reduce CO2 by 5,776 pounds per year.  For more information visit gulfpower.com

072009
Getting ready to spruce up your home?  Check your windows.  Installing, high-performance windows will improve your home's energy efficiency. While it may take many years for new windows to pay off in energy savings, the benefits of added comfort and improved aesthetics and functionality may make the investment worth it to you and there might also be tax incentives. Many window technologies are available that are worth considering.  Efficient windows with two or more panes of glass, improved framing materials, and low-e coating(s), will help keep heat inside during the winter and outside during the summer.  Can’t manage new windows, consider adding storm windows.   But be sure you have adequate weather-stripping and caulking - a small leak around windows, electrical receptacles and pipe and wire entry points is the same as keeping your window open and will make your air conditioner work harder and longer and waste energy and money. 

072109
The biggest home electric user is air conditioning. This is the EM and I'm Jocelyn Oberlander from the EHS Environmental Club.  To cool your home, don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal. This will not cool your home any faster, and could result in unnecessary expense and excessive cooling. To save energy in the summer, set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. The closer it is to the outdoor temperature, the lower the cooling bill will be.  By using fans, you can distribute the cold more efficiently, lowering your power use. In comparison to a Central AC system, using on average 3500 watts per hour, a ceiling fan uses merely 75 watts per hour.  And, fans can make temperatures seem ten degrees cooler!  Paint your home a light color, dark colors increase cooling costs by around 20%. 

072209
You can save energy and money with insulation.  This is the EcoMinute and I’m Albert Hansen from the Escambia HS Environmental Club.  Do you hate living in a drafty place where you have to keep your air conditioner running on high power all summer and you don’t think you can afford to re-insulate your home?  Well you need to re-think this because, as it turns out having a poorly insulated home makes your energy bill rise steeply because of all the energy your air conditioner has to put into the job of keeping you comfy.  Just by having your windows and doors fitted properly and adding weather stripping, you can cut your energy bill by 15 %.  So even if you spend some money having your house insulated, these improvements virtually pay for themselves and eventually will end up saving you hundreds of dollars a year.  Also if you turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees in winter or 78 degrees in summer, you can save as much as 10 percent off of your energy bill. 

072309
The second biggest kitchen energy user is the stove and oven.  When cooking, use the appropriate size burner for the pot.  Keep the range reflectors clean to reflect up the heat.  New reflectors can save up to 30 percent of power.  Worn oven gaskets are almost as bad as baking with the door open.  A dirty oven is an inefficient oven. Self-cleaning ovens save energy because they are heavily insulated – just don’t use the cleaning cycle more than once a month. When you do, do so right after the oven has been on, to use retained heat.  Glass and ceramic pans bake in the same time as metal pans, but the temperature can be 25* lower.  Don't worry about preheating the oven for most recipes.  Turn electric heat off a few minutes before cooking time is over, letting retained heat finish the job, and don’t peek - opening the oven door can lower the temperature by 25*. 

072409
Save money and energy with Gulf Power’s EarthCents Programs… This is the EcoMinute and I’m Jeff Rogers from Gulf Power.  EarthCents is a menu of energy efficiency programs for new and existing homes and businesses. EarthCents programs can help you reduce your electricity bill and protect the environment. It can also help delay the need to build new power plants. Energy Select is an EarthCents program that helps you pay less for your electricity 87 percent of the time. It’s an interactive energy management system that lets you program selected appliances to automatically respond to four different electricity prices depending on the time of day, day of week and season. Energy Select costs only $4.95 per month and includes a programmable thermostat and surge suppression. And in addition to lowering your bill you’ll be able reduce your CO2 output by 1,692 pounds per year. For more information visit gulfpower.com.

072709
Hanging your laundry on a clothesline will save a lot of energy.  The clothes dryer is one of the biggest energy users in your home, using anywhere from 6 – 10% of home energy use, coming in just after refrigerators and washing your clothes in hot water.  Hanging your clothes on a line instead of using the clothes dryer saves energy, money, wear and tear on your clothes, can connect you to the outdoors and might even help you meet your neighbors.  You say you live in a local subdivision and your homeowner’s association claims the covenants prohibit this?  Tell them that Florida has had a “right to dry law” since 1995.  These laws are a growing trend and in the last few years about a dozen states have enacted them. 

072809
If you do use a clothes dryer, try to minimize the amount of energy you use.  Separate your wet laundry by weight.  Dry towels and heavier cottons separately from lighter-weight clothes.  Don't over-dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it, if you’re in the market for a new dryer; consider buying one with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off the machine when your clothes are dry. Not only will this save energy, it will save the wear and tear on your clothes caused by over-drying.  Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation.  Use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer. Periodically inspect your dryer vent to be sure it’s not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire. Use rigid venting material, not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.

072909
Disposable or cloth, incandescent or compact fluorescent, paper or plastic, desktop or laptop.  If you have the choice between using a desktop or laptop computer, choose the laptop.  Also, if it's time to upgrade to a new computer, consider a laptop.  Laptops draw only 15 to 45 watts per hour during regular use, as compared to the 60 - 250 watts used by a conventional desktop computer and monitor. Plus, laptops also draw just a fraction of a watt when in sleep mode.  With that new computer, reduce power usage by closing applications when they aren't in use, setting the screen brightness at the lowest comfortable level, and by putting it instantly into sleep mode when you’ll be away for a few minutes.  Don’t forget to turn it off at night.  Also, be sure to responsibly dispose of your old computer – bring to the landfill or regional roundup for recycling. 

073009
Energy bills are a big problem these days and with the economy the way it is, there are many simple steps you can take that in the long run will save you money. This is the EcoMinute and I’m Albert Hansen from the Escambia HS Environmental Club.  To start with, spiral compact fluorescent light bulbs are a great way to save.  CFLs use about 1/4 the amount of energy as a regular incandescent bulb.  So if you replace all the lights in your house with these energy efficient bulbs you can save about 3/4’s of the amount of money you are already spending on your lighting bill. CFLs come in all shapes and sizes so you don’t have to worry about finding a replacement for your older incandescent bulbs.  To maximize the lifetime of these energy efficient light bulbs it is best to put the bulb in an area where it will be most used and left on for at least 15 minutes, since these spiral bulbs burn out faster if they’re in an area where they will be turned on and off frequently. 

073109
Don’t waste energy and money heating the water in your pipes.  When you need to use only a little water, such as when you rinse a dish or your hands, use cold water.  It can take several minutes and several gallons of water running through the pipes before the water at the sink is warm and by that time, you’ll likely be finished.  What you end up doing is running a little hot water into the pipes where it will just get cold, and depleting the tank of a little hot water which will then be replaced by cold water which then needs to be heated.  Keeping the lever in the hot position uses energy to heat the water even though it may never reach the faucet.