Electrical Waste Around The Home
In these trying economic times, every Omahan needs to reduce costs wherever possible. It's not just helpful to life ... these days, it's vital. Sometimes our wallets just can't take any more stretching, and so we have to find better and cleverer ways to conserve. Eating out less, buying generic rather than name brands, cutting out cable services ... these are all effective means to reducing bills, but there are other things you can do in your Omaha home before cutting life's little comforts down to bare bones. Here are some tips from top Omaha electricians on how to shrink your costs by addressing some common sources of electrical waste around the house:
Going green
Sure, you've heard it before. In fact, it seems to be the buzz word of the century ... green. The fact is, though, that in many cases, a greener home can mean a greener wallet. Making your home more energy efficient will not just conserve natural resources. It can help you conserve your hard-earned money as well.
Appliances
If you've got old appliances, you're probably wasting electricity. Today's energy-conserving appliances can mean significant savings not just in energy, but also on those monthly bills. Newer models of stoves, washers, dryers, refrigerators, TVs, and even computers can shave a significant amount of waste, and that can save you money in the long run because newer appliance designs tend to last longer than others on the market. Look for appliances that tell you on their labels that they are energy efficient, as these are independently tested to meet strict energy guidelines. Tankless hot water heaters are also good for cutting waste and saving money because they don't work like older models that have to keep a tank-full of water hot at all times. Newer models heat to the desired temperature when you turn on the hot water tap.
Lighting
If you're using old incandescent bulbs, you're wasting electricity and throwing your money away. Compact fluorescent bulbs can last a lot longer than their incandescent great grandfathers. Some government agencies are even giving some away for free, as the U.S. and other countries switch over from the old bulbs to the newer, more energy-efficient ones. You can even cut down on electrical waste by doing small remodeling jobs in your house with replacements of lighting fixtures with newer ones that need fewer bulbs, since today's bulbs put out more light using less energy.
Phantom power
'Phantom' ... it's a word that just sounds like bad news no matter what the context. And the term 'phantom power' is no different. It refers to the power consumed by an electrical device when it's in 'standby' or 'hibernation' mode. It happens when a computer or other electrical equipment is waiting to be used, in order to start up quickly. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it is responsible for ... brace yourself ... 75 percent of the nation's energy consumption! Just think of how much electrical waste is going in your Omaha home because of phantom power. You can cut electrical waste due to phantom power just by unplugging!
Appliances
Microwaves, TVs, DVD players, toasters ... these are all appliances that don't need to be plugged in when they're not in use. In addition, make sure your cell phone and laptop chargers are unplugged when you're not using them to recharge their respective devices.
Surge protectors
For electrical equipment such as entertainment systems, computers, and printers, use surge protectors to stop unnecessary electrical usage. Surge protectors are a more convenient means to turning off a number of electrical devices at one time. You can use thee to shut off electrical devices that are stuck in that standby mode that wastes energy. Eliminating phantom load can significantly cut electrical waste.
Making a few changes here and there in your Omaha home can make a big difference in electrical waste around your house. Reducing those drains on electricity can also save you money and headaches. A licensed Omaha electrician is a good place to start if you want to eliminate electrical waste.
Going green
Sure, you've heard it before. In fact, it seems to be the buzz word of the century ... green. The fact is, though, that in many cases, a greener home can mean a greener wallet. Making your home more energy efficient will not just conserve natural resources. It can help you conserve your hard-earned money as well.
Appliances
If you've got old appliances, you're probably wasting electricity. Today's energy-conserving appliances can mean significant savings not just in energy, but also on those monthly bills. Newer models of stoves, washers, dryers, refrigerators, TVs, and even computers can shave a significant amount of waste, and that can save you money in the long run because newer appliance designs tend to last longer than others on the market. Look for appliances that tell you on their labels that they are energy efficient, as these are independently tested to meet strict energy guidelines. Tankless hot water heaters are also good for cutting waste and saving money because they don't work like older models that have to keep a tank-full of water hot at all times. Newer models heat to the desired temperature when you turn on the hot water tap.
Lighting
If you're using old incandescent bulbs, you're wasting electricity and throwing your money away. Compact fluorescent bulbs can last a lot longer than their incandescent great grandfathers. Some government agencies are even giving some away for free, as the U.S. and other countries switch over from the old bulbs to the newer, more energy-efficient ones. You can even cut down on electrical waste by doing small remodeling jobs in your house with replacements of lighting fixtures with newer ones that need fewer bulbs, since today's bulbs put out more light using less energy.
Phantom power
'Phantom' ... it's a word that just sounds like bad news no matter what the context. And the term 'phantom power' is no different. It refers to the power consumed by an electrical device when it's in 'standby' or 'hibernation' mode. It happens when a computer or other electrical equipment is waiting to be used, in order to start up quickly. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it is responsible for ... brace yourself ... 75 percent of the nation's energy consumption! Just think of how much electrical waste is going in your Omaha home because of phantom power. You can cut electrical waste due to phantom power just by unplugging!
Appliances
Microwaves, TVs, DVD players, toasters ... these are all appliances that don't need to be plugged in when they're not in use. In addition, make sure your cell phone and laptop chargers are unplugged when you're not using them to recharge their respective devices.
Surge protectors
For electrical equipment such as entertainment systems, computers, and printers, use surge protectors to stop unnecessary electrical usage. Surge protectors are a more convenient means to turning off a number of electrical devices at one time. You can use thee to shut off electrical devices that are stuck in that standby mode that wastes energy. Eliminating phantom load can significantly cut electrical waste.
Making a few changes here and there in your Omaha home can make a big difference in electrical waste around your house. Reducing those drains on electricity can also save you money and headaches. A licensed Omaha electrician is a good place to start if you want to eliminate electrical waste.