Fall into savings by curbing home-energy costs

With summer officially over, it's important to prepare for the cooler months by cutting back on home-energy costs.

Every year, the average American household spends roughly $100 annually due to the energy consumption from their power devices that are plugged in but not being used. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency sums up the national energy cost to a spine chilling $10 billion per year.

It's important to know how much each appliance is costing you. Knowledge is power ... literally.

Thanks to a recent article, we've broken down your energy bill by the cost of each appliance.

Heating and cooling systems - 45 percent

45 percent of your bill goes to heating and cooling systems. Energy-efficient furnaces, air conditioners, and insulation need to be focused on in order to save money on your bill. Get an energy audit performed by your utility company to identify the problem areas and see how you can make the energy from your heating and cooling systems more efficient. Easy ways to cut down include using a ceiling and attic fan, buying a programmable thermostat, and insulating your attic and windows.

Dishwashers - 2 percent

Dishwashers account for 2 percent of your bill. As long as a high-efficiency dishwasher is used, more energy is being saved than by hand-washing dishes.

Washers and dryers - 10 percent

Washers and dryers collectively account for 10 percent of your energy bill. Energy-saving models work the best, and save the most. When thinking of buying a new model, make sure the cost is offset by the savings over a reasonable amount of time. Front loading machines are more efficient and can reduce energy used by 25 percent.

Hot water heaters - 11 percent

When it comes to water heaters, there are different options. Tank-less water heaters can save up to $50 a year in energy, and solar hot-water heaters are becoming popular. An easy fix? Grab an insulation blanket and wrap it around the hot-water heater. Set the heater to 20 degrees below normal, and save up to 10% percent on costs.

Refrigerators - 6 percent

French door models (freezer and fridge side by side) are less efficient. Replace ice makers with trays, and you're set for energy-saving success!

Electronics - 4 percent

Always unplug your electronics when you are not using them. $100 a year can be saved if you don't leave your computer and monitor running 24 hours a day. With your computer on sleep, you can save 80 percent and you can cut CO2 emissions by up to 1,250 pounds a year.

Lighting - 7 percent

Buy CFL light bulbs. Why? Lighting costs will be reduced up to 65%. Install timers that automatically turn on and off your lights and save even more.

Other - 15 percent

Miscellaneous items cost 15 percent of your bill. These items include cellphone chargers, toys, PDAs and home-security systems. Make sure to unplug every item for maximum savings.

Take the ENERGY STAR pledge and save money

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.

Click here to learn more.

Cooling tips to help beat the summer heat

The summer is going to be a scorcher but don't let the warmer temperatures burn a hole in your wallet. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering a slew of no-cost cooling tips to help beat the heat.

The average U.S. household shells out almost 20 percent of its utility bills on cooling, according to the EPA. By taking steps to improve energy efficiency, consumers can save on many levels.

"You can save energy, save money, and help fight climate change," the group says in an announcement here. Its Energy Star program, which it co-runs with the Department of Energy, offers a handful of low-cost tips such as swapping out incandescent bulbs with more energy-efficient lighting choices.

The EPA's no-cost tips include:

· Program your thermostat to work around your family's summer schedule—set it a few degrees higher (such as 78 degrees) when no one is home, so your cooling system isn't cooling an empty house. With proper use, programmable thermostats can save you about $180 a year in energy costs.

· Check your HVAC system's air filter every month. If the filter looks dirty, change it, but change the filter at least every three months. A dirty filter will slow air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool—wasting energy.

· Run your ceiling fan to create a cool breeze. If you raise your thermostat by only two degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower cooling costs by up to 14 percent. Remember that ceiling fans cool you, not the room, so when you leave the room make sure to turn off the fan.

· Pull the curtains and shades closed before you leave your home to keep the sun's rays from overheating the interior of your home. If you can, move container trees and plants in front of sun-exposed windows to serve as shade.

Click here for additional tips from the EPA and here take ENERGY STAR pledge.

Make your pool more eco-friendly this summer

As consumers look for ways to have fun while saving money this summer, improving the energy efficiency of backyard pools can make a big difference.

A standard-sized pool often uses about 15 kilowatts of energy each day, much of that from the pool pump. Pool lights and heaters can also be updated for energy savings because newer models are often significantly more efficient. An added advantage is that LED bulbs last about 10 times as long as typical fluorescent bulbs, so they require changing far less often.

Heating pools with solar panels is another energy efficient trend on the rise. After an initial investment of about $5,000 for pools around 25,000 gallons, in some cases solar panels can provide considerable savings compared to gas or propane heaters. Even traditional heaters made within the past ten years can use up to 40% less energy than older models.

Chemicals are another environmental concern related to pool maintenance. Chlorine is widely used and considered relatively safe, but other pool treatment methods are gaining popularity. Ozone is effective at killing bacteria and can reduce the need for chlorine, and salt-activated systems are also effective and are often touted as less abrasive.

An alternative to pool chemicals popular in Europe is known as "biological filtration" because the process uses plant life to clean the water naturally. Aquatic plants such as lilies and reeds grow in the pool and replace the use of chemicals.

However, the American Chemistry Council says it's important to stress that the suggested alternatives to chlorine should not be used as complete replacements, only as supplemental treatments.

"Ozone treats water as it flows through the system, but can’t disinfect as it comes into contact with germs in the pool," a rep from the council informs us. "Salt treatments produce chlorine from salt and electricity—the chemistry is the same."

Save money on your home energy bill

Every year, the average American household spends roughly $100 annually due to the energy consumption from their power devices that are plugged in but not being used. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency sums up the national energy cost to a spine chilling $10 billion per year.

It's important to know how much each appliance is costing you. Knowledge is power ... literally.

Thanks to a recent article, we've broken down your energy bill by the cost of each appliance.

Heating and cooling systems - 45 percent

45 percent of your bill goes to heating and cooling systems. Energy-efficient furnaces, air conditioners, and insulation need to be focused on in order to save money on your bill. Get an energy audit performed by your utility company to identify the problem areas and see how you can make the energy from your heating and cooling systems more efficient. Easy ways to cut down include using a ceiling and attic fan, buying a programmable thermostat, and insulating your attic and windows.

Dishwashers - 2 percent

Dishwashers account for 2 percent of your bill. As long as a high-efficiency dishwasher is used, more energy is being saved than by hand-washing dishes.

Washers and dryers - 10 percent

Washers and dryers collectively account for 10 percent of your energy bill. Energy-saving models work the best, and save the most. When thinking of buying a new model, make sure the cost is offset by the savings over a reasonable amount of time. Front loading machines are more efficient and can reduce energy used by 25 percent.

Hot water heaters - 11 percent

When it comes to water heaters, there are different options. Tank-less water heaters can save up to $50 a year in energy, and solar hot-water heaters are becoming popular. An easy fix? Grab an insulation blanket and wrap it around the hot-water heater. Set the heater to 20 degrees below normal, and save up to 10% percent on costs.

Refrigerators - 6 percent

French door models (freezer and fridge side by side) are less efficient. Replace ice makers with trays, and you're set for energy-saving success!

Electronics - 4 percent

Always unplug your electronics when you are not using them. $100 a year can be saved if you don't leave your computer and monitor running 24 hours a day. With your computer on sleep, you can save 80 percent and you can cut CO2 emissions by up to 1,250 pounds a year.

Lighting - 7 percent

Buy CFL light bulbs. Why? Lighting costs will be reduced up to 65%. Install timers that automatically turn on and off your lights and save even more.

Other - 15 percent

Miscellaneous items cost 15 percent of your bill. These items include cellphone chargers, toys, PDAs and home-security systems. Make sure to umplug every item for maximum savings

Germans test energy-efficient brewing process

Energy-efficient "green" beer? A crew of engineers from Germany's Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM) are hashing out a new process that would save 20 percent of the energy used while brewing the frothy potent potable.

Yep, green beer is no longer reserved for St. Patrick's Day and food-color concoctions gone awry.

The scientists plan to unveil their energy-saving technique to the masses in Munich on Monday, Sept. 14. Their secret? The Weihenstephan engineers are working with thermo-chemical storage systems coupled with combined heat and power (CHP) stations to cut down on one of the most energy-intensive food and beverage processes.

Normally, beer is brewed in a kettle capable of generating temperatures of 110 to 160 degrees centigrade which boils down the intoxicating smells of hops into "crude beer," or the so-called wort. Almost half of the energy consumed in this traditional brewing process--45 percent to be exact--is used to make the wort.

Dr. Winfried Russ, the crew's project leader, is optimistic that their process will save 10-to-20 percent on energy costs. “We already know that it will work," Russ says in a statement here. "What we don’t know is just how much energy can be saved.”

Click here for the lowdown.

Lenders offering green for green to home owners

A new trend in banking is allowing some borrowers to cut down on the cost of financing their loans to make environmentally friendly upgrades.

Some banks and government-sponsored programs offer credits on closing costs or reduced interest rates if the money is going to be used to increase a home's energy efficiency. The combined factors of relatively low energy prices and reluctance to spend during the downturn have decreased demand for products related to energy efficiency and home renovations.

As a result, the incentives could help stimulate the market for new appliances and construction and installation services.

The Wall Street Journal also reports that an additional benefit offered by the incentives is the ability to report energy savings as income. The difference between the cost of energy bills before and after the improvements are made can be added to the total amount of qualifying income.

In order to be eligible for any of these cost-saving measures, potential borrowers often must first undergo a home energy audit. After the audit, homeowners agree reduce their consumption by a designated amount or agree to make predetermined changes to their properties.

Some programs, such as myEnergyloan, allow borrowers to lower the interest rates on their loans by increasing the efficiency of their homes. A "point" of energy improvement represents one one-hundredth of a point on the principal mortgage cost. Making numerous improvements can generate significant savings on a mortgage.

Upgrades and improvements won't necessarily generate savings, especially in the short-term, and Mark Wolfe, director of the Energy Programs Consortium, cautions consumers in the Wall Street Journal.

"In practice, if you have a reasonable house that's in reasonably good shape, look to save between 25% and 40% on your energy bills" to make the choice cost-effective. "Fifty percent or deeper savings require a bigger investment and a longer payback period," Wolfe adds.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

Make your pool more eco-friendly this summer

As consumers look for ways to have fun while saving money this summer, improving the energy efficiency of backyard pools can make a big difference.

A standard-sized pool often uses about 15 kilowatts of energy each day, much of that from the pool pump. Pool lights and heaters can also be updated for energy savings because newer models are often significantly more efficient. An added advantage is that LED bulbs last about 10 times as long as typical fluorescent bulbs, so they require changing far less often.

Heating pools with solar panels is another energy efficient trend on the rise. After an initial investment of about $5,000 for pools around 25,000 gallons, in some cases solar panels can provide considerable savings compared to gas or propane heaters. Even traditional heaters made within the past ten years can use up to 40% less energy than older models.

Chemicals are another environmental concern related to pool maintenance. Chlorine is widely used and considered relatively safe, but other pool treatment methods are gaining popularity. Ozone is effective at killing bacteria and can reduce the need for chlorine, and salt-activated systems are also effective and are often touted as less abrasive.

An alternative to pool chemicals popular in Europe is known as "biological filtration" because the process uses plant life to clean the water naturally. Aquatic plants such as lilies and reeds grow in the pool and replace the use of chemicals.