Goal For The Green

Guest Post
by Johnathan Rivers

Tired of not knowing what your energy bill is going to be each month? Retail energy providers in Texas, and other states nationwide offer a sort of flat rate monthly energy plan. Your bill is calculated based on your average energy usage, and what you pay is more or less the same each month. This enables you to budget better and more accurately gauge your energy usage so you can focus even more on living green.

If you don’t live in a state that has flat-rate energy costs, you can still take steps to make your monthly energy bill more predictable while striving to reduce your consumption. Start with your climate control unit and your washing appliances.

1) Change the thermostat when the seasons change

Lux Products' Model TX900TS Touch Screen Thermostat. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The first thing most people do when Summertime rolls around is crank down their thermostat, when in fact, they should be doing the opposite. Instead of setting the thermostat to 65 in the Summer time – a temperature that your home may not even reach in 90 degree weather unless it’s extremely well insulated. Instead – set it to 74-78.
The difference in temperature between your home and outside should be the focus. A 74 degree home in 90 degree weather feels relatively similar to a 65 degree home in 80 degree weather. In other words, your body reacts differently to a room’s temperature depending on how relatively warm it is outside.

For colder seasons, take the same approach but from the opposite end of the spectrum. Instead of setting the thermostat to 78, set it at 68 and wear a pair of long pajamas or a hoodie inside if you’re more on the cold-natured side.
Allowing your thermostat to work at a similar level throughout the year, and thus consume roughly the same amount of energy, is an easy to way to make your energy bill more predictable.

2) Develop a schedule for washing clothes and running the dishwasher
Not only do your washing machine and dishwasher use electricity to run, they also pull from your hot water heater, which can further affect your electricity or gas costs.

For most people, running these energy-intensive appliances is sporadic. They use them when they need to do so.  But, when you consider that no other devices in your home – besides your air conditioner and perhaps your refrigerator – use more energy than your washing appliances, it’s worth looking at developing a schedule for washing clothes and dishes to help make your monthly bill more predictable.

A dishwasher containing clean dishes (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Instead of using your dishwasher after every dinner, consider rinsing dishes off and waiting until it gets full before operating it. Create a protocol for when you wash – for example, commit to running the dishwasher every Sunday night and Wednesday night. Do the same for washing laundry. Designate two nights a week (or less if you’re single or don’t have kids) to wash laundry. If you have the same number of wash cycles each month for your big appliances, you use roughly the same amount of energy. The outcome is, you’re rewarded with a more consistent and predictable power bill each month.

Do you want more consistent energy bills, so you can better plan your budget? Start with making these adjustments and being consistent when it comes to your home’s most energy intensive appliances. It’s easy, and you can start today.

Well, now’s the time to get out there and get one. During the month of August, there is a massive August Prius Blowout sale going on.   The Prius debuted in 2001, at the new edge of design and technology. It’s powered by a hybrid electric motor that is paired up to a gasoline engine-so you have power when you need it.  The units are designed to work together in tandem or individually, allowing you to earn great fuel economy while producing next to NO carbon emissions.

English: Toyota Prius V hybrid electric car exhibited at the 2011 Washington Auto Show (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Unlike many of the other subcompacts Prius is roomy and qualifies as a midsize sedan. It comfortably seats four adults, while offering a smooth ride, and it can be loaded with just about any high tech features you can imagine. For the environmentally conscious family or individual looking to enjoy the outdoors and conserve fuel- the Prius is your answer to achieving both goals.  Over time owning a Prius, or just about any Toyota, saves you money, while offering you unparalleled fuel economy. I previously owned a Toyota Carola, and loved it. My BIL, owns a 2010 Prius, and loves the fuel economy he gets on freeway driving.

The Prius first went on the market in Japan in 1997, as the first mass produced hybrid vehicle. It was then introduced worldwide in 2000, and is now sold in over 70 countries.  The 2 million sold milestone was reached in September of 2010.

Toyota expanded the Prius family to include Prius-v an extended roomy hatchback wagon, and the Prius-c toyota prius c special offers a subcompact hatchback in 2011, and this year they have added a Plugin Hybrid to the family of Prius choices. With at least five different choices of the Prius and a nationwide blowout sale, now’s the time to scoop up on the value at your nearest Toyota dealership.

Are you ready to go solar, at your home or business? You may have noticed, that I have spoken about the benefits of solar power on several occasions. Most recently, I posted about  Facts on Who Goes Solar?  The choice to go with solar powered electricity  these days just makes sense.

English: On 140 acres of unused land on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., 70,000 solar panels are part of a solar photovoltaic array that will generate 15 megawatts of solar power for the base. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For most of us, the decision to invest in solar powered electricity, is made primarily to help the wallet of the purchaser. Interestingly, most purchasers of solar systems are middle of the road income earners, who are both liberal and conservative. They care more about jobs, than they do about the environment, and they regard their decision to purchase a solar system, basically as a wise and sound financial investment.

The good news is, most solar systems can be paid off in as little as five years. Depending on the cost of electricity in your area, they give you a good return on your investment, especially after they are paid for.  Just imagine, NO more power bills.

Solar powered electricity, is a great way to take care of your home energy needs. Local contractors  in your area, have been offering sun-powered options since the early 2000’s, to help promote a cleaner environment, and offer customers lower energy bills.  Solar energy is renewable clean energy, that is the wave of the future. It’s a great way especially for those living in naturally sunny areas, to reduce their dependence on traditional electricity, while saving money in these challenging economic and uncertain ecological times.

These days, finding new ways to make use of renewable energy resources, is one of the best choices most Americans can make.  At a time when the economy is at an extraordinarily fragile point, and many home and small business owners are struggling to make ends meet, investing in solar powered electricity is a wise economic choice.  It also helps reduce our dependence upon less abundant and more costly forms of energy, by keeping our environment intact and in good shape for future generations.

Electric Solar contractors, are making it more affordable and more rewarding than ever before, to bring solar energy to your home or business.  Many are offering convenient financing options, some are even including zero down financing.  In addition, it’s time for both home and business owners, to take advantage of and maximize on government incentives, that have been created to help encourage the use of this natural energy source. Most solar purchases and installations, qualify for at least a 33% reduction in the cost, due to the government incentives and tax credits currently being offered.

Like I said earlier,  it just makes sense, for the average person to reap the benefits of going solar now, especially at 1/3 the normal cost. This could be the best time for your wallet and for you, to consider going solar while working toward a better tomorrow!