Want to do your part for the environment while you also save energy and money? Consumer United has teamed up with ENERGY STAR as a pledge driver for their "Change the World" campaign.
Nearly two million people across the nation have pledged to take small, energy-saving steps that can change the world. If every American household took part in the pledge, we would save more than $18 billion in annual energy costs and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 18 million cars.
Join Consumer United's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Take the ENERGY STAR pledge here.
On the hunt for energy-efficient appliance rebates? The Department of Energy (DOE) has approved the appliance rebate programs for the states and territories linked or listed here as of July 2, 2010.
Need energy-saving inspiration? Take an online room-by-room tour of ENERGY STAR @ home here and learn how you can help fight global warming, while saving energy and money in your own home.
Planning to buy a larger-than-life flat-screen TV? If you live on the Left Coast, you may have to change your plans. California energy regulators a trying to ban the sale of electricity-sucking televisions and adopt efficiency requirements for flat-screen TVs.
If the California Energy Commission continues with the proposal, retailers would have to sell TVs with strict energy requirements spearheaded by the federal Energy Star program beginning in 2011. This program is destined to save a lot of energy that would have been thrown away.
But, how much energy are we talking?
According to a Los Angeles Times article, the regulations are designed to shave $8.1 billion off Californians' electricity bills over a 10-year-period. That's about $30 per set per year, commission officials contend. Karen Douglas, commission Chairwoman says, "Increased efficiency is the most cost-effective way of meeting our renewable-energy goals."
Californians must be used to the energy regulations by now. The residents have regulations on dishwashers, washing machines, and other household appliances. However, many argue that the new regulations will stall technological innovations that have improved TV set quality. The regulations will also limit consumer choice.
"Independent studies show millions in tax revenue and thousands of jobs are at stake," says Doug Johnson, senior director of technology policy at the Consumer Electronics Association. Many jobs could be lost. Television prices will increase, and home theaters wholesalers and installers will be out of work. Consumers would therefore have to buy un-regulated TVs though out-of-state online vendors... this would deprive CA of its much needed corporate income and sales tax revenue.
Why television sets? The article reports that many of the 40-inch-and-larger sets, which use liquid crystal or plasma technology consume vast amounts of electricity. The average plasma screen uses more than three times as much energy as a bulky, old-fashioned cathode-ray-tube TV. This calls for a change in CA, especially since California's energy needs are so vast. At this point, CA imports 30% of its electricity from out of state.
Many flat-screen TV makers already meet the new regulations, and say they'll have no problem hitting the new energy efficiency threshold. Buyers of the TVs wouldn't see a price increase. When talking about huge flat-screen television sets, an Associated Press article highlights Noah Horowitz, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council. She says, "These are the SUVs of the industry, they use more energy than the smaller ones. They are used in bars, hotels, and can easily be on for 12 hours a day."
To learn more about the TV energy-regulation proposal, click here.
Are the monstrous energy bills still haunting you even though you haven't been keeping all those lights on in the house?
Halloween's drawing near and those spooky "energy vampires" may be lurking in the corners of your homes and offices. Any kind of electronic appliances such as adapters or chargers for your gadgets can suck the electricity, even if they're plugged in but not in use. So if you don't need 'em, slay 'em as they could raise your energy bill to quite a significant amount.
Every year, any American household spends roughly $100 annually due to the energy consumption from their power devices that are plugged in but not being used, reports the United States Environmental Protection Agency, which sums up the national energy cost to a spine chilling $10 billion per year.
"EPA encourages everyone to look for vampires in their home and get rid of this energy waste,” says the EPA's Office of Atmospheric Protection's director, Brian McLean, “Using less energy means less greenhouse gas emissions.”
Want to save those extra hundreds and scare away those energy ghouls? EPA has come up with some easy steps for you to follow:
Unplug those power adapters and chargers when the electric appliance is on standby or fully charged.
Using a power strip can be very useful as you can switch off the main power supply when the electronics are not in use.
Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing electronic appliances or gadgets.
Get more spooky energy saving details by clicking here.
Want to do your part for the environment while you also save energy and money? Consumer United has teamed up with ENERGY STAR as a pledge driver for their "Change the World" campaign.
