Ways to Save Energy and Slash Electricity Bills
1. Lighting & Light Bulbs
Install low energy light bulbs in rooms you use regularly ? they last up to 15 times longer than a normal light bulb and provide the same lighting for a quarter of the running cost. Turn off the lights when you leave a room for a long period and don't use several light bulbs where one will do the job. Teach all family members to turn off lights when leaving a room.2. TV, Hi-Fi & RadioTurn off the TV or video and hi-fi rather than leaving it on standby.
Always use the television's on/off switch. Leaving the television on standby wastes energy.3. Cooking Microwave ovens reduce cooking time by 15% to 20% and save energy. When boiling vegetables, use just enough water to keep them covered. Use a jug kettle that has a water level gauge to ensure you only heat the amount of water you need.
Cover saucepans with lids whenever possible to reduce the cooking time.4. Home Laundry & DishwashersSave electricity by using old-fashioned clothesline for clothes drying. Avoid drying clothes on radiators as it lowers the room temperature, making your boiler work harder. Shut off dishwasher for dry cycle.
Let your dishes "air dry".
Don't use dishwasher or laundry equipment until you have a full load.5. Fridges & Fridge Freezers Make sure your refrigerator and freezer door seals are airtight. Let hot foods cool before placing them in the refrigerator. Defrost refrigerator regularly - when about 1/4 inch of ice has formed. Place your refrigerator in the coolest part of the kitchen - away from cookers, heaters and out of direct sunlight.6.
HeatingTurn off electric water heater when going away for vacations or weekends. Turn your heating down rather than opening a window to reduce the room temperature. Never cover radiators with curtains or furniture as this reduces their efficiency and wastes valuable heat. When going on long holidays, remember to switch your water heating off.7. Work Tools Use hand tools in your workshop instead of power tools.8.
Appliances When shopping for new appliances, ask about energy-efficient models. Buy appliances on the basis of cost plus operating costs, not price alone. Limit the use of appliances that use over 1,000 watts. Keep appliances clean and in good working order. They'll use less energy.9.
Bills Check all energy bills closely.
Errors can be costly.10. Insulation & Air conditioningInsulating your attic will save on operating air conditioning (also heating). If your walls are suitable, cavity wall insulation will substantially reduce heat loss. Keep air conditioning condenser shaded from sun or on north side of house.
Turn off air conditioning when no one is home..
Copyright © 2005. Chileshe Mwape writes for The Cheap Electricity Guide website at: http://www.cheap-electricity-guide.org.uk/ and he?s also a regular contributor to the Ways2Save website at: http://www.ways2save.org.uk/This article may be reprinted as long as all the above links are active and clickable.Are You Responsible For The Appliances in Your New Apartment?
So you're moving into a new apartment? The list of things you should check on before signing that lease seems never-ending. You have to worry about location, environment, convenience, cost, aesthetic appeal, etc. But wait... there's more! One more thing to check out is what you, the tenant, are responsible for bringing to the apartment.Realize that just because the model apartment you toured with your landlord displayed the lovely washer/dryer 2000 unit doesn't mean you'll have one in your apartment. The lease might be for a two bedroom apartment with washer/dryer connections...
but this doesn't mean it has to come with the washer/dryer!Perhaps you're lucky, and you already have appliances to take to your new apartment. If so... great! Otherwise, you need to look at your options:Option number one: Rummaging through garage sales.If you have the patience for garage sales, you could end up with some great deals. My grandmother, for example, found her big screen t.v. (which hasn't...
Are You Responsible For The Appliances in Your New Apartment?
Appliances > Are You Responsible For The Appliances in Your New Apartment?
Appliance Repair
After a hectic day in the office, you get back home and find that the tub in the bathroom is overflowing, as the water on the washer just does not cut off. Then there is a problem with the gas stove oven. It just won't light. The refrigerator is not giving enough cooling and the frost-free mechanism seems to have gone haywire. You buy appliances to be more comfortable but when they start malfunctioning you feel really miserable.
And you do not have enough money to get them repaired. Just what do you do?
Many of these appliances can be repaired easily at home if there is a small problem. There is no harm in giving it a try. You save money and time, and your life becomes once more as comfortable as it was last evening.
A large number of online and offline resources are available, which provide you with common tips to look after your appliances.
In fact, in most cases one just ignores the warning signals that an appliance is going to malfunction....
Appliance Repair
Appliances > Appliance Repair
Discount Home Appliances
Get a cookery course free when you buy a microwave and the dinner set with a dishwasher. What is it with the festivals that the seasonal sale comes along with a mad rush in its wings; unbelievably the cost of installation and delivery of these appliances is not your headache anymore. Small appliances, smaller prices and bigger utilities, the festivals could never be better for the buyers.
Let's accept it that shopping in the city markets is just a test of patience, thanks to the online shopping offering great discounts on branded appliances that we can get these wonder products from the comfort of our homes. No more haggling that you need to do for such hassle-free products. Special promotions and clearance sales, end-of-summer sales or Christmas sale, no wonder these times of the year become a haggle-hunter's high times.
However, before running for a shopping spree after reading 70% off please check for the little ?upto' hanging on the top of it with a decent magnifying...
Discount Home Appliances
Appliances > Discount Home Appliances
Small Appliance Repair
Every household uses a number of small appliances such as room air conditioners, drinking water coolers, microwave ovens, or small freezers designed specifically for home use. Small appliances are basically designed for home use. These appliances come with guidelines related to their use and precautions, which need to be taken while using it or if they start malfunctioning. The repair of small appliances is a lucrative business. It can be started easily, as not much capital is needed.
As a consumer, if you are taking your small appliance for repair, be sure that the mechanic is well-trained, qualified and certified. You can also repair small appliances at home. Free tips for carrying out such repairs are available online as well as offline. But certain precautions must be taken while you are planning to repair your freezer or hair dryer. It is important to ensure that you are not working alone, so that in case of an emergency another person can help you.
...
Small Appliance Repair
Appliances > Small Appliance Repair
Tips For Installing Vinyl Flooring
Installing an new floor can spice up a tired room and you can even save some money by installing it yourself. Of course, if you are not handy and have never done any type of installation, you may want to leave it to a professional as installing the flooring incorrectly can ruin the whole look!If you do try to attempt installing vinyl flooring yourself, here's some tips that might help your installation look like it was done by a pro:1) Take time to do the appropriate prep work. With vinyl flooring, it is vital that the subfloor underneath is free from debris and also has no divets or holes. Both of these can cause holes in the vinyl floor over time. Make sure you remove anything that sticks up, fill in anything that is indented and clean the floor thoroughly before starting the install.2) Remove as much stuff as you can.
Remove all the furniture and any appliances that you can. Take out the moldings ? this will make the edges of the flooring look much better when you put them...
Tips For Installing Vinyl Flooring
Appliances > Tips For Installing Vinyl Flooring
Appliance Part Repair
If your appliance is malfunctioning then one or more of its parts might need repair. You can go to your nearest repair shop or, if you don't have time, log on to your computer and choose the right kind of mechanic from a wide variety of web resources.
One can also order a part which needs to be replaced. These parts are shipped to your doorstep, with warranties for a specified time period. The rates charged by online repair shops are quite reasonable and competitive.
Heavy discounts are also offered. Often, if you are not able to get a part repaired from your regular mechanic, then you can utilize the services offered by one of these websites. They are most helpful in providing or repairing parts from various appliances. Even the company that sold you this appliance a few years back might find it difficult to repair. But an online repair guru has all that is needed to repair the part of an appliance (or so they claim!).
Many online and offline...
Appliances > Appliance Part Repair