Energy Saving Tips from the Queen

Don’t give your money away to the Power Company!

Keep it for yourself! Here are ten ideas to help you save big money. Of course, if you want to give your hard earned dough to the power company, we’re sure they’d appreciate it. So would their poor shareholders. If you don’t overpay on your power bill, they might have to skip that trip to Paris… We wouldn’t want that would we? Then again, if you’d rather keep your money for yourself….

1) Change every light bulb in your home or office from incandescent to compact fluorescent. See Start Small for details on just how much money you can save.

2) Put a power strip on your computer “blob”. Besides saving 1% on your energy bill, you will add an extra layer of protection for your computer by further removing it from the electrical grid when it is off. See Start Small for details.

3) Get a solar water heater for your home. 5000 kwh for an electric water per year? That’s right. A solar water heater is such a great idea it is a total no brainer. EVERYONE should have one. See Start Medium for more details.

4) Consider an exterior solar lighting system. A good system lights the outside of your home or office all night, and you’ll never see it on your power bill. See Start Small for the Queen’s favorite.

5) When the time comes to replace your air conditioning unit, get the very highest SEER number you can. Many older models have a SEER number of 9 or so. Newest models are up to 19.5. Pretty good when you consider that for every SEER number you go up, efficiency increases 5-8%. Go from a 9 to a 19.5? You’ll get increased efficiency of 50-80%! AC units can be real hogs, so this is a fabulous opportunity.

6) For dark interior room, consider an interior solar system. Almost every home has an interior room which is dark even during the day. Lighten it up during the day with no electricity involved. See Start Small.

7) If you have an electric stove and oven, use the gas grill far past the normal season. Not only will your carbon footprint be lower, so will your electricity bill.

8) When it is time to replace your washer, dryer, stove or refrigerator, get the most energy efficient model you can afford.

9) Consider a solar attic fan. No need for your attic to be any hotter than necessary. See Start Small for details.

10) When decorating with lights, consider using LED’s. Most mini decorative lights are in fact tiny incandescent bulbs, and burn much more than you’d think. LED’s cost a little more to buy, but use miniscule amounts of electricity.

11) Did we say 10? Well here’s a bonus. Remember – when contemplating going green, don’t do it for virtue, do it for yourself. Better yet, change your mindset from a one marshmallow mentality to a three marshmallow mentality.