On April 22nd, as the beauty of Spring is in full bloom, the world takes a day to celebrate and support Earth. For over half a century, Earth Day has served as a time to reflect on the amazing biodiversity of our planet and our impact on the environment. It’s a time when we show gratitude for all that the Earth gives us and make an effort to give…
While most of us take steps to minimize energy use, some aim to eliminate energy use altogether – at least the use of nonrenewable energy. Zero energy ready homes are dwellings that are extremely energy efficient. So much so, they can be mostly or completely powered by a renewable energy system. Many environmentalists would say the goal is for all homes to be built zero energy ready and for existing…
Fireplace safety is important but so is energy use. If you’re thinking about adding a fireplace or replacing an existing one, you’ve probably wondered which type is the most efficient. In addition to traditional wood-burning fireplaces, there are electric and gas fireplaces. Due to convenience, many people today choose to go with either a gas fireplace or an electric fireplace. But which one is more energy efficient? Factors That Influence…
Sure, the HVAC system is the biggest energy hog in a home, but what about the appliances? There are a number of things that can affect how much energy an appliance uses. It can be a matter of needing a substantial energy supply to power the appliance, the amount of time the appliance is used and even how the appliance is used. Luckily, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) has been…
In the fall we saw natural gas prices beginning to increase as pandemic conditions eased and the demand went up. It was worrisome given that chillier winter temperatures historically push demand even higher and production wasn’t back to pre-pandemic levels. Fortunately, November was more mild than expected and the winter isn’t looking as bleak as predicted. Still, the forecasts do predict December and January will be much colder. When that…
More and more households are making the switch to fixed renewable energy plans, and right now they’re glad they did. Fossil fuels are soaring in price across the board, but the rise in natural gas prices is likely to hit consumers the hardest. Market Data analysts are already predicting that natural gas price increases will continue to climb this winter. The primary cause for the increase is a growing demand…
As the cost of solar equipment goes down, more people are seriously considering putting an installation up at home. But a solar panel installation isn’t cheap. It’s a serious investment, so it’s important to get the setup right. The only problem is, most people are completely new to solar energy so figuring out how things should be set up isn’t always clear. One of the biggest questions is how…
Staying mindful about how and when you use electricity will put you a long way on the road toward lowering your bills. Careful homeowners can even save hundreds of dollars every year using tips like the ones below. Not every tip will work well for everyone, but consider trying as many of them as you can. Become enlightened about energy Turn off the lights when you’re out of the room,…
Your water heater is a major piece of equipment that’s used on a daily basis. It’s used so often, water heating accounts for roughly 18% of annual energy use. There are ways to use your water heater for maximum energy efficiency, but if you really want to cut energy use you may be considering a solar water heater. There are actually a few different types of solar water heaters. Each…
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been in the news a lot lately. The projections are pretty promising for the EV market. While only 7% of U.S. drivers currently own an EV or hybrid, 39% of the remaining drivers are now seriously considering a switch to electric according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming more common in general, but all-electric vehicles are experiencing the…
