Compare Different Energy Saving Items and Methods
Sometimes, we think we are saving energy and other resources when the exact opposite it taking place: our methods are then wrong! Some of the solutions we may not want to hear or may not choose to practice, but the facts speak for themselves! Below are a few things that may or may not surprise you about energy usage.
Which is better??
- Power outlet v.s. power strip? Plugging in your electronics into a power strip is more efficient than plugging them into a regular outlet. Through a power strip, electronics only leak about 3 watts, but if they are plugged into a regular outlet, they leak up to 15 watts!
- Exterior door v.s. Exterior door with storm door? Double teaming an entrance with a regular exterior door and storm door saves you an estimated 2% on your winter and summer energy bills, which would pay for the cost of the door within a couple of years.
- Hand washing v.s. dishwasher? Sorry, but the dishwasher is not the most energy efficient tool you have to wash the dishes...you are! The only that is being expended for hand washing is heating the water, but the dishwasher uses 35% more energy. However, you can save on some of that cost if you choose the air dry option versus the heat-dry cycle.
- Side by side refrigerator v.s. Freezer on top or bottom? A freezer on the top or the bottom of the refrigerator saves an average of 15% of your refrigeration costs per year, since a side by side unit lets more cooled air out of the freezer. Although it can be a great convenience, in-box ice makers and water filters can add up to 20% more to your refrigeration energy costs.
- Gas oven w/ electric ignition v.s. electric oven? A gas oven will save you a whopping 50% of the energy costs of an electric oven. To increase your savings no matter what kind you use, back with glass or ceramic bake ware instead of metal. If going with gas, the electric ignition will save you, since the pilot light will not need to be lit continuously.
- Incandescent v.s. compact fluorescent bulbs? If you have read any of my previous articles, this one should be easy! CFL's hands down are the way to go! If you're worried about the quality of light they give off, be sure you buy the daylight ones, since they shine brighter than the soft white ones do.
- Desktop v.s. Laptop? This one should be fairly obvious too. Since the laptop is smaller, it uses 50% less energy than a desktop model. If you are chained to a desktop model, at least switch out your monitor to a flat panel LCD, since the "old school" CRT monitors use 75% more energy.
- Single pane windows v.s. double pane windows? This one should be pretty obvious as well! In this area, you can save as much as 10% off of your heating and cooling costs with double pane windows. Plus, if you take advantage of the tax savings on certain windows, you can get 30% of the cost back on your taxes through the stimulus package (see June 2009 GToM for more details on the stimulus package).
- Furnace thermostat above 68 degrees v.s. below 68 degrees in cold weather? Each degree you set your furnace below 68 results in a 3-5% savings in your heating bills. Please, don't set your furnace so low that you break your pipes in your house (that move WILL NOT save you money!). To make your life easier, buy and install a programmable thermostat, so you can set a lower temp when you are gone, and a higher temp when you are home.
- Top load washer v.s. front load washer? A front load washer uses 10-20 gallons of water per load (mine uses about 12-15 gallons), while the typical top loader uses 40-50 gallons of water! Over the course of a year, that's a lot of money! Front load washers do a better job of getting out stains with less stain fighting chemicals and detergent.
- Traditional water heaters v.s. tankless water heaters? A tankless model heats the water instantly, while the traditional water heater heats 40-50 gallons of water at one time (depending on the model). Most people don't use all 50 gallons at one time, therefore it is more efficient to heat what you use at the time! Plus, if you are cramped for space, the tankless models take up much less room.
- Gas Dryer v.s. Electric Dryer? A gas dryer will save you 50% on usage as compared to an electric dryer. If you are in the market for a new one, many models will have a sensor that will automatically adjust the dry time of your clothes based on the moisture level of the garments...how cool is that? However, nothing is as efficient as hanging your clothes on a clothesline...you just can't do it in the rain or extreme cold!
- Faucet v.s. faucet with an aerator? A faucet aerator restricts water flow, which ultimately saves water usage, so this one's a no brainer! Other ways to save water usage at your bathroom sink; be sure to turn off the water when not rinsing your razor (guys) or when not spitting out used toothpaste.
- Shower w/ low flow head v.s. bath? Obviously, this depends on the length of your shower, but if you keep your shower under 10 minutes, you will be saving water. A typical bath takes about 20 gallons of water, which uses the same water as a 10 minute shower.
- Toilets pre-1994 v.s toilets post-1994? What's the difference you ask? In 1994, the federal government mandated that all new manufactured toilets must use 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush. In this case, the post-1994 toilets win. The pre-1994 toilet uses up to 3.5 gallons of water per flush. If you own a toilet pre-1994, you can adjust the float so that your toilet uses less water than before.
- Dark colored shingles v.s. light colored shingles? Studies have shown that darker roofing shingles retain more heat that light colored ones, and therefore causes your cooling bills to be up to 10% higher in this area. If you are needing a new roof, consider color choice heavily when thinking about energy needs.
