Did you get sticker shock when you opened your last utility bill? If you did, you're not alone. People have reported huge increases in their energy bills. My gas bill went up about 40%, so I decided to make my home more energy efficient. You would be surprised just how much you can lower your utility bills by taking a few of these simple steps. Here are 20 quick and easy tips: Close the heating vents.
Closing the heating vents or radiators in an unoccupied room can save 5-10% on your heating costs. Close the fireplace flue. Don't let heat go up the chimney. Make sure the fireplace flue is closed when not in use. Turn off the pilot light.
A pilot light typically costs $3-$5 per month to keep lit. If your heating system has a pilot light, turn it off during the summer. Fix that leaking faucet. A faucet leaking a single drip per second can waste 400 gallons of water a year. Besides being a tremendous environmental waste, if that water is heated it will cost you about $8 if you heat with electricity, $4 if you heat with natural gas - plus the cost of the water itself.
Replace old shower heads. According to federal regulations, new shower heads can pass no more than 2.5 gallons per minute. By replacing old shower heads with new ones, a family of four can save around 15,000 gallons of water per year, which amounts to savings of over $150 and $60 for electric and gas heated water respectively. Keep the refrigerator door closed. Shut the fridge! Opening the refrigerator door accounts for $10 - $20 of a typical family's electrical bill each year based on 40-60 openings per day.
Provide adequate circulation for the refrigerator. Allow at least one inch of space on each side of the refrigerator for good circulation. Poor circulation can increase electricity consumption by 10%. Keep your refrigerator cool. A 5? F difference in air temperature can impact your refrigerator electricity consumption by 20%.
To reduce your refrigerator's work, keep spare refrigerators in the coolest part of the house, like the basement. Turn your computer off. You could be spending well over $100 per year on electricity by always leaving your computer on! Turn it off when it's not in use. Set your thermostat at 78? F. The breeze from a fan can provide you with the comfort of temperature that is 6? F cooler.
Also, during the summer, each degree that you raise the thermostat on your cooling system typically saves 2% on your cooling bill. Energy experts recommend setting your thermostat at 78? F or higher. Keep your light fixtures clean. Dirt can absorb as much as half of the light given off by fixtures, tubes and bulbs. Keep your light fixtures clean and use less electricity.
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. Use light bulbs that produce the most light using the least amount of electricity. Energy-efficient bulbs, such as compact fluorescent bulbs, use 75% less energy than typical incandescent bulbs. Turn the lights off. Don't just leave the lights on.
Lighting controls provide security lighting when you are not home - with clock timers you can turn lights in your home on and off automatically at preset times. Timers, motion sensors and photo sensors are all ways to save electricity use. Plant some trees. Deciduous trees, which lose their leaves in the winter, can help you reduce your energy costs during the summer because their foliage provides shade. And in the winter, after their leaves have fallen, the sun's warmth passes unobstructed into your home.
Strategically placed shrubs and vines can also reduce the effect of the sun's heat. Leave the thermostat alone. If you must use air-conditioning, don't turn the thermostat lower thinking it will cool your home faster. It won't. Keep your thermostat cool.
Keep appliances that give off heat, like stereos and televisions, away from your thermostat-the hot air will persuade your cooling system to work harder. Insulate your attic. Adding fiberglass insulation to your attic is one of the most effective and easy savings measures you can take yourself. Also, insulating air ducts or pipes can conserve up to 10% of their heat. Keep your kitchen cool.
Use a fan
to draw hot air out of your kitchen when cooking. The savings in your cooling costs far outweigh the electricity use of the fan. Keep your dryer clean. Don't overload your clothes dryer. And make sure you clean the lint filter after every load.
An overloaded dryer and a dirty filter, which reduces airflow, make the dryer work harder. Dry loads consecutively to take advantage of heat build-up. If possible, line dry clothes. Run a full dishwasher. Cut out pre-rinsing, load dishes according to the dishwasher manufacturer's instructions, and use only recommended amounts of dish washing detergent.
Only run the washer when it's full - your dishwasher uses the same amount of water regardless of how many dishes are in it. Air-dry dishes when possible. To find out what all those mysterious charges are on your gas bill visit http://www.energy.ca.gov/glossary.
Tyrannus Rolle publishes The Cashbyte Connection. A content rich weekly electronic newsletter designed to help anyone who is trying to start or grow an online or Network Marketing business. Subscribe and I'll give you free weekly ads and 2 free gifts that will allow you to reach millions of qualified buyers without spending a dime on advertising, Subscribe at http://www.cashbyte.netThe Electric Boat Company celebrates their Grand Opening on Lake Union.
May 28, 2004 - The Electric Boat Company celebrated their Grand Opening at Yale Street Landing on South Lake Union, Downtown Seattle on Friday, May 14.
The Electric Boat Company will offer sales, service and rentals of Duffy Electric Boats.
A fleet of the clean and quiet Duffy 21 foot Electric Series Cruiser will be available for rental 7 Days a week.
They seat 10 to 12 people comfortably.
The rates are $75.00 per hour with a two-hour minimum.
Reservations are recommended.
Ice, drinks, and snacks are available at The Electric Boat Company store.
Annual Season Passes are also available with unlimited rentals for $1200 mid week only and $1500 for the 7 day pass.The most commonly asked question is 'Can we take them out on our own?'
The answer is a definite yes, the boats are so easy to operate that even the most inexperienced boater can maneuver the boats.
Lake Union is a perfect setting for lake cruising with...
Car Stereo Speakers
Car speakers are an integral part of the car radio system. Their function is to absorb the signals from the power amplifier and deliver them to you. There are three components that speakers in delivering sound ? tweeters, woofers, and midrange drivers.
The tweeter and the woofer manage low and high frequency sounds, respectively. As the name implies, the midrange drivers manage the midrange frequency.
You need to choose the amplifier and woofer based on your car speaker and what you want to install in terms of a car stereo system. Mostly, speakers are installed with other components in such a way that they produce the maximum sound.
But remember that others may be inconvenienced because of these "noise makers," as they are sometimes referred to.
You can opt for different kinds and brands for the front and rear end speakers so that they blend perfectly to produce superior quality sound.
For example, you can choose Oxygen sphere...
KUA Warns of Real-Life 'Fear Factor'
A disturbing scene in an upcoming episode of "Couples Fear Factor" has prompted Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) to step up electrical safety warnings to its customers.In the episode, scheduled to air on the NBC television network on Monday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. (EST), participants stand at a high-voltage electric substation and receive "minor" nuisance shocks."The reality of what would happen to anyone in this circumstance is far more tragic than portrayed in this show," says Chris Gent, KUA's manager of corporate communications. "This portrayal sends a disturbing message to viewers that playing around electric utility equipment is safe -- or, worse yet, a game. Nothing could be further from the truth."Substations contain equipment that is very dangerous to touch.
All substations, including those owned by KUA, are protected by fences or walls and have warning and high-voltage signs posted on them. An individual should never attempt to climb over or crawl under these fences or...
KUA Warns of Real-Life 'Fear Factor'
Best Recipes: Rum Raisin Cheesecake
If you like rum raisin ice cream, you'll enjoy the flavor of rum raisin in this unique cheesecake. Crust1 cup old fashioned or quick cooking oats, uncooked? cup chopped nuts3 tablespoons margarine, melted3 tablespoons packed brown sugarFilling2 8-oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened1/3 cup granulated sugar? cup flour2 eggs? cup sour cream3 tablespoons rum2 tablespoons margarine1/3 cup packed brown sugar1/3 cup raisins? cup chopped nuts2 tablespoons old fashioned or quick cooking oats, uncookedDirectionsPreheat oven to 350 degrees.Combine oats, nuts, margarine and brown sugar; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.Combine cream cheese, granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons flour, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in sour cream and rum; mix well. Pour over crust.Cut margarine into combined remaining flour and brown sugar until mixture resembles coarse crumbs....
Best Recipes: Rum Raisin Cheesecake
Snoring- a Small Change Can Make a Big Difference
We all know how annoying snoring can be, both for the snorer and the partner.
The effects and seriousness of snoring are becoming more apparent with snoring being linked to conditions like high blood pressure and coronary disease.
The different types of snoring, range from a simple puff to a full on roar and there isn't one school of thought on the reasons behind snoring.
Snoring, I believe, is a signal that the body's systems are out of balance.
Finding which system is the difficult part.
But correcting the balance may not take a huge change, take the example of Andy.Andy was in his late 30s and had snored for several years.
He's not quite sure when it started but of late the snoring had being a more regular event.
He probably still wouldn't be aware of it, except it drove his wife crazy.
Andy had always being active, not a football star but he liked to throw a ball around.
If you asked a passerby...
Hitting The Fan
In the past people have occasionally accused me of talking shit. But nobody can say I'm not serious about my subject. In fact you could say I have a Masters degree in coprology! In recent months I have been busy writing a paper (toilet paper, obviously) entitled "What Really Happens When the Shit Hits the Fan ?". Clearly one needs to define one's terms and my approach was as scientific as it could be.Firstly I decide to confine my researches to three types of fan:i) Electric fansii) Cricket and/or football fans (depending on which one is in season at the time) andiii) Hand held fans i.e. Of the kind which is fluttered by demure young ladies in period dramas Secondly there was a need to be able to grade various kinds of shit according to size, weight, malleability and viscosity.
This required the use of expensive scientific instruments and so I equipped myself with -electronic scales, a pestle and mortar, an engineer's measure, a sieve, packet of rubber gloves shower cap and safety...
Hitting The Fan
20 Gas & Electric Money Savings Tips Electric generator tax help 
Santa Claus to Protect Children Worldwide
It was reported from Santa's Workshop at the North Pole today that Santa has assigned his top Technology Elves to work double-time to create "Santa Surfer", the worlds first Internet Santa Safety Browser for kids. In an effort to meet the Christmas 2004 deadline the North Pole contracted with Children's Educational Network to create the safest, most educational kids' browser ever created! This new browser will bear the name of Santa himself and will prevent children from accidentally coming...
Santa Claus to Protect Children Worldwide
Digital Projector Guide- Some tips for Digital Projectors
Digital projectors are equipments of modern technology. These are used to convert image data directly from the computer onto a screen via lens system. Digital projectors provide visualization of data that is actually stored in a computer for presentation. These projectors enable the viewers to watch moving images from a DVD, digital versatile disc player. Advertisers or sellers also use these projectors to give demonstration of products to a large number of customers.
It can easily convert...
lcd tv Digital Projector Guide- Some tips for Digital Projectors 20 Gas & Electric Money Savings Tips
photo printer 20 Gas & Electric Money Savings Tips Electric generator 
20 Gas & Electric Money Savings Tips Electric generator tax help 