Green resources for home energy, heating, cooling and more.
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THE ENERGY DETECTIVE
Get the Facts on Your Energy Use
The quickest way for homeowners to see energy savings is to install a widget that displays how much energy is used to dry clothes, run an electric toothbrush, or heat breakfast. It’s called The Energy Detective (TED).
TED’s compact display shows household electrical usage in real time, and it predicts your monthly bill. Once consumers see their spending in progress, they get motivated to make changes. It may never have occurred to you how much it costs in hair-dryer power to whip up that Flock of Seagulls wave, but one look at the numbers on TED and you may decide to tone down your grooming. Or you may be shocked by how much power it takes to dry clothes, when a line in the backyard will do the job for nothing.
According to the manufacturer, typical TED users save 15 to 20 percent on utility bills, which amounts to hundreds of dollars a year. TED can pay for itself in just a few months. To go further, hire an electrician to wire TED into your house’s main power line. TED can also interface with your computer, opening up advanced tracking and graphing options.
Make sure your fridge, freezer, and ovens have tight, clean seals. Keep your refrigerator full so it will run more efficiently. If the fridge is nearly empty, keep pitchers of water in it, which will make it easier for the appliance to maintain an even temperature. Plus you’ll have cold water to drink on demand.
