Rising energy costs and climate change have brought back to the table the topic of a high-performance home. Although seemingly vague, a high-performance home is more than energy efficient: it takes care of your and the building’s health. It takes energy efficiency to the next level and reduces your total energy use by more than …
As more and more people move, switching utility companies and utility providers has become a necessary part of everyday life. As this can be a big headache, especially for first-time movers, we suggest you read through our guide and learn how to set up utilities in your new apartment. As it goes, the process is …
As the end of the month is near, the time comes to start worrying about the electricity bill. Those most concerned are the people with variable-rate energy plans, as the colder months usually mean higher power usage. In addition to this, the rising energy prices due to the energy crisis are there to remind us …
You may not enjoy paying your bills, but there’s no escaping such a responsibility. Letting those monthly payments slide will only lead to more trouble in the future. So at the very least, you’ll want to ensure that what you pay correctly reflects your energy usage, right? You can do so if you understand the …
Your apartment electricity usage may be lower than in an average house of the same size. However, that does not mean that your electric bill will also be lower, especially as electricity service is usually costlier in cities than in suburbs or in the countryside. Regardless of how much energy you use, there are always …
As world economies slowly switch to renewable energy sources and a more circular economy, new energy jobs appear in the energy sector. While it is easy to talk about high salaries and low degree inflation in the field, it is also necessary to consider in-field data and testimonies from those working in that same market. …
Energy consumption across the world and in the US has been rising for the past several decades. Each new device and appliance determines how much energy you spend, and rising energy usage, coupled with ever-increasing energy costs determines how much you pay for electricity each month. Smart home energy monitors can help you save money …
Your natural gas supplier may be delivering gas day and night with no interruptions. Having access to comfortable service such as this and not having to worry about hot water or hot rooms is one thing. But receiving your gas bill at the end of the month can be a bit of a bad surprise. …
Have you ever seen a stretch of power lines crisscrossing the sky? Depending on your point of view, you may consider them eyesores or sights to behold. Some hate seeing those thick cables marring the horizon, while some feel awed by the thought of the thousands of volts running through the wires. Those power lines …
Different electrical appliances need varying amounts of energy. Some, like electric fans, require less, while others can be power-hungry. Examples of energy-intensive appliances are air conditioning units, heaters, and electric stoves or ovens. Knowing the power consumption of your electronics and devices will help you estimate your home’s energy usage. If you aim to save …
If you own a coffee maker, the odds are that you use it every day. Coffee makers do not use a lot of electricity to make coffee, but if you make many cups every day or keep your coffee on the heater plate the entire day, you may be surprised at how quickly coffee makers …
As PCs and other computers become more powerful and can handle more complex tasks, their energy use increases as well. In fact, the power consumption of an average PC increases with the complexity of the tasks as well: playing video games and rendering photos and videos are some of the more complex tasks your computer …
Everyone wants to save energy, but where to start is a big question that many give up on answering. A professional home audit can cost a lot of money, and you may wait for weeks for the professional to even show up. If you want to take manageable steps to reduce your energy bill and …
You may be considering purchasing a hot tub. After all, flashy images from movies and TV shows show happy, cheerful people as they relax and have the best time that a chilly summer night can offer. In reality, spas are not cheap, and neither is their maintenance. For this reason, let’s consider the electricity cost …
Several considerations are associated with buying a printer. The upfront cost of the machine is just one of those. Aside from the amount you’ll spend, the unit’s power consumption is also a significant factor. Coming up with a figure regarding a printer’s maximum power consumption can be tricky. That’s because how much the equipment will …
Gas and electric stoves are a necessity in every kitchen. However, choosing between the two can be a hassle that is difficult to resolve. Looking at the initial cost of a gas stove vs. an electric stove is often not enough, as you should count in the costs of running the appliance for years to …
After the scary pandemic ravaged the world, keeping fit and healthy has become the goal of many. The good news is that plenty of ways to strengthen the body’s endurance exist. Running is one excellent cardio exercise. But while jogging outdoors has its appeal, there may be times when it’s not possible. There are also …
A heat pump is one of the ways you can keep your home snug and warm during winter. However, since it relies on electric power, you may worry about how much electricity the device consumes. You’ll be glad to know that heat pumps are more energy-efficient compared to traditional ways of heating your home. As …
When you feel a yearning for a quick cup of tea, warm milk, or coffee, an electric kettle will come in handy. Boiling water using an electric stove takes time as you’ll have to wait for the coils to heat up before that heat can even begin to warm the water in the pan. In …
It might seem counterintuitive to say that using dishwashers can help the environment. After all, these appliances use electricity and what may look like plenty of water per load or cycle. However, contrary to popular belief, doing the dishes using dishwashers requires less water than washing them by hand. You may counter by saying that …
The winter months lead to higher heating demands, so it should come as no surprise if you see increases in your electricity costs. After all, running your central heating system 24/7 can be an expensive affair. Even space heaters use significant amounts of electricity, so you’ll inevitably be left with higher energy bills. That’s if …
The lights used in homes have evolved through the years. From the humble candles and gas lamps, we now have a host of lighting solutions, such as the traditional incandescent bulbs to globes with light-emitting diodes. Technology advancements helped develop energy-efficient fixtures that can illuminate our living areas without consuming plenty of electricity. LED bulbs …
The popularity of incandescent bulbs as the go-to lighting solutions has waned considerably as new technology produced the more widely used light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. One reason for the phase-out of incandescent bulbs is their short operating life compared to LEDs. A bulb of this type has a lifespan of about 1,000 to 2,000 …
If you are thinking about how many watts an electric stove use, you may be surprised to find out that the electric stove power consumption is one of the highest in your household. The energy usage of an electric stove is so high because this is a heating body, and any form of heat generation …
Is it more environmentally friendly to wash dishes manually, or is using the dishwasher the greener way to do it? Washing dishes by hand may seem like a great way to push your energy consumption goals. However, contrary to what you may believe, using the dishwasher can help you minimize your water usage. An increasing …
Does your living space feel like an oven on hot days? Do you have no choice but to crank up your air conditioning system to get some relief? If that’s the case, your power consumption inevitably rises, along with the temperature. However, there are ways to control your electricity costs without wilting in the heat. …
A home without a TV set is more the exception than the rule in the U.S. Many households even have a couple or more. Well, watching TV is one way to relieve stress and boredom, so we can’t blame you if you have a TV in every room. But if you aim to lower your …
Natural gas is a versatile and cost-effective fuel source. No wonder then that its consumption has steadily risen, not only in the country but across the globe. This power source is typically consumed for space and water heating. However, it can also provide energy for other appliances. Some homeowners even extend their gas lines to …
Coal, oil, and natural gas are fossil fuels and are nonrenewable resources. This means that they cannot be replenished at a rate fast enough to compete with other natural resources, such as biomass, wind, hydropower, and solar. In fact, coal and other fossil fuels take millions of years to replenish in natural conditions, making them …
As summer approaches, you may want to think of ways to lessen the heat and humidity in your home. Fortunately, you have plenty of options to do so. However, one frequently overlooked method of making your living space more comfortable is providing adequate attic ventilation. Your attic space gets particularly hot because as the sun’s …
It’s a fine, sunny day, and you’re out for a drive. Looking up, you see a flock of birds sitting contentedly on a stretch of power lines. Knowing about the dangers of electricity, do you ever wonder why they don’t go up in flames and turn into puffs of smoke when stepping on electrical wires? …
Electricity has become a vital component of our life. Without it, we’ll have trouble doing even our simplest tasks. As such, we have devices and appliances plugged in and drawing power almost all the time. But while each utility company strives to provide a reliable electricity supply, a power surge can disrupt the process. Because …
You’re going about your daily business when suddenly, everything turns dark, and all your electronics stop working. Power cuts are not new to many electricity consumers. Surges in power demand plus an aging power grid make outages regular occurrences. Still, it’s no fun being left in the dark, and you may wonder what’s happening. There …
Living in your own home gives you more control over your utility expenses, including your electric bill. But what if present circumstances dictate that you rent an apartment in the meantime? Does that mean you’re doomed to paying a high energy bill month after month? Not necessarily. Fortunately, you can implement easy measures to lower …
Utility bills are a form of credit, which many may not realize. Your utility company and the power provider track your utility payments and make a profile of you as a regular paying customer. This type of profile, or credit history, can then interfere with your future utility bills, setting up additional utility services, and …
An average monthly electric bill in the US is $100-120 per month. Furthermore, an average American family has 2.6 members, which brings the average electric bill per person down to some $40. However, there is more to it, as each new household member does not add the same amount of electricity use to the electric …
A microwave oven is a very practical appliance: it can cook some simple foods (no meats, please) and can reheat your leftovers. However, the energy consumption of a microwave oven is not low, so it is important to know how much power most microwaves use. A countertop microwave uses less power than a build-in large …
If you would like or already have added solar panels to your home, testing solar panels for their output is an important thing to do. This will enable you to better understand how much solar power your panels can generate, what their solar output is during the day, and finally, what is the solar panel …
If you live in Texas and would like to shop for low electricity rates, you should know the basics first. These basics about how the energy market in Texas works will help you make a good decision and will help you to better understand your electricity bill. With several dozen electricity companies and electricity providers, …
Although not readily apparent, conserving the earth’s natural resources benefit the environment. When we conserve resources, such as fossil fuels, we delay their depletion. This ensures that future generations will have some left for their use. Moreover, resource conservation also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This lowers air pollution and mitigates the impact of climate change. …
Many scammers are aware that many energy suppliers have recently increased their energy prices. For this reason, they often call or visit your home, offering a much lower energy rate, usually lower than the one your energy provider can offer you. These are known as energy scams, and your energy provider is almost never behind …
If you are moving, you should consider switching utility companies. Your current utility company does not have to be the same as the utility company in the area you are moving to, so staying aware of this and acting early enough can save you a lot of headaches when you need to transfer utilities. Utility …
Texas is the second-most populous state in the nation. With so many people moving or starting families in the area, it’s only natural that there would be multiple fast-growing cities in the Lone Star State. A huge land area along with a steady economic growth are some reasons behind the spurt in population in Texas. …
It would be challenging to live in a house with no power supply. But because of the rising electricity prices, a lot of households find it difficult to keep up with their utility payments. This can lead to the disconnection of their electrical supply. Another reason a home loses electricity is when there’s a power …
The U.S. has an electrical grid that is national pride. With over 120,000 miles of power cables and over 500 power supply companies working on it, it is one of the most advanced and complex in the world. However, even this electrical grid is not without faults. Any energy provider will inform you that power …
Utility bills! Ugh! There’s no escaping from them, it seems. They’re like a bad dream on a loop because they keep coming month after month. While we can’t get out of paying for our utilities, there’s a way to lessen the amount they drain from our monthly budget. That’s by availing of programs offered by …
We are racing against time to find cleaner, more efficient energy sources to power our ever-increasing addiction to electricity. One potential source that we’ve barely tapped is geothermal energy – the hot air and water deep inside the Earth. Is it possible that the answer lies underneath our feet? Let’s dig in and learn how …
Moving to a new country or city is an exciting phase in one’s life especially if you are moving to Texas. Its cost of living is low and the market, leisure, and healthcare are thriving. However, moving to a new home oftentimes brings unnecessary stress and headache when preparation and handling of the transfer of …
Have you ever seen a wind turbine? If you have, you’ll surely agree that those gigantic blades turning in the wind are a sight to behold. You’ve also probably wondered how a wind turbine works and managed to turn those enormous propellers. It’s mind-boggling, really, considering that the bigger ones have to be transported in trucks with 100-foot trailers. But …
At some point in your life, you might have found yourself struggling financially, and thus unable to bear your expenses. Things don’t always turn out as planned. For instance, a natural calamity, such as the February 2021 winter storm, can turn the tables against you in no time. An unprecedented visit to the hospital can …
As the world faces the threat of climate change, many homeowners factor energy efficiency when renovating their homes. But creating an energy-efficient home not only helps with the efforts to hold back global warming. It’s good for the pocket, too, as it leads to savings on energy costs. Several elements work together to make a …
Moving to a new home entails a lot of work. As you go through the numerous tasks related to relocating, it’s easy to forget to overlook important details. On top of making arrangements to transfer your belongings, you’ll need to deal with different utility companies to cancel their services. So how do you go about …
Have you ever imagined a life without electricity? Can you live without this power source? Probably not since electricity drives almost everything in today’s modern world. But there’s a protestant group in the country who aren’t as dependent on electricity as most of us. We’re talking about the Amish people. Because of their views on …
Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature uses a lot of energy. That’s because heating and cooling usually comprise half of your total electricity use. Closing air vents in unused rooms may be one energy-saving tip you’re probably considering. If you haven’t started employing that strategy, we advise you not to do so. Contrary to …
Wind energy advances have been closely watched by renewable energy enthusiasts over the past decade. It stands to reason – not only is it the fastest-growing power source in the United States, but it also adds 100,000 jobs and 14.2 gigawatts of generation capacity to the economy annually. The energy produced from wind is clean, …
Choosing the perfect energy plan for your household is an important aspect of your personal finance and can largely affect how much you can end up paying for your electricity and gas bills. Fortunately, energy plans only come in two types – variable rate and fixed rate. Choosing between the two of them can be …
Hands up for those who hate doing the laundry. It can be quite a chore, right? But imagine if you have to hand wash and air dry your clothes and bedding just like in the old days. Luckily, we don’t have to do that anymore, thanks to modern appliances and devices. Take the clothes dryer, …
When you look at your electric bills, you may have noticed the electricity delivery charges that are included every month. We often have questions about what these charges are and why they are so high. While electricity delivery charges are part and parcel of receiving electricity from the grid, there is a real possibility that …
Households in Maryland will find themselves likely paying higher electricity rates as Baltimore Gas & Electric, the 200-year-old electricity and gas distribution network with 1.6M customers filed new residential rates for the three-month period starting October 1, 2021. For Schedule R residential customers, this means a 12% increase, from the current rate of 6.166¢ per …
Pennsylvanian households and businesses served by the utility company Penn Power will pay more for electricity from June 2021, if the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PPUC) approves new tariffed residential and commercial default rates, filed by the group of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania utilities. Penn Power serves approximately 165,000 customers within 1,100 square miles of western Pennsylvania. …
Pennsylvanian households and businesses served by the utility company Penelec will pay more for electricity from June 2021, if the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PPUC) approves new tariffed residential and commercial default rates, filed by the group of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania utilities. Penelec serves approximately 585,000 customers within 17,600 square miles of northern and central Pennsylvania. …
Pennsylvanian households and businesses served by the utility company Met-Ed will pay more for electricity from June 2021, if the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PPUC) approves new tariffed residential and commercial default rates, filed by the group of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania utilities. Met-Ed serves about 560,000 customers within 3,300 square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. …
Electricity customers in Pennsylvania might experience changes to their residential electricity bills, starting June 1, 2021. PECO has filed with the Pennsylvania PUC for new mass Prices to Compare (PTCs) across all customer categories – Residential (R, RH), General Service (GS), Primary – Distribution Power (PD), and High – Tension Power (HT). The new proposed …
When you get your electricity bill, the chances are high that you look at the total cost first. Most likely, you stop at that and don’t bother examining the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) you’ve consumed. Maybe you don’t even know what those numbers mean and what’s the difference between a kW and a kWh. Well, …
As a business owner, you are probably always searching for opportunities to find savings that can be reinvested into growing your company. Electricity can be a big cost item so if you haven’t yet heard about TOU rates, it might be the time to see whether you can save a lot of money by switching …
If you are a city dweller, you might never have even heard the term electric cooperative. However, for those living in the rural areas of the U.S., cooperatives have long represented the only option to get access to reliable, affordable electricity. Still today, electricity cooperatives supply electricity to many homes and businesses within America. Let’s …
You have just signed the lease for your new apartment and you are ready to start your adventure, but there is one thing weighing you down. How much will the expenses be? Will the utilities be expensive? Estimating Texas your power bills can go a long way in providing you some peace of mind. Learning …
When the first piece of plastic was produced in 1907 to be used as an insulator, no one could really foresee the scale of the global plastic production that would ensue a mere 100 years later. The US now produces about 286 pounds of plastic waste per person per year and is widely considered one …
Prepaid Electricity: What is it? Pay-as-you-go (prepaid) electricity is an electric plan where you are able to pay for electricity before you use it – so that you can control how much is it going to cost you each month. Think of a prepaid phone- you top up, you use your credit to make calls …
There has never been a better time to bet on solar power – with system prices falling fast and the technology and batteries getting better. Solar energy is clean, abundant and most of all, free. Now, even households that can’t install their own rooftop panel can reap the benefits. Solar leasing – paying a fee …
A sort of a race is underway in the developed world to “go green” and preserve Mother Earth. From recycling your garbage to drinking from reusable cups and even using environmentally-friendly plant-based detergents, it seems that there are now ways to do everything with less energy. If you are yet to hop on the green wagon …
Hot showers, running a load of laundry, washing dishes – we use hot water in our homes all the time. Heating up the water requires a lot of electricity, manifesting itself in increased electric bills. One novel solution that can help to avoid this problem is solar water heating- using the sun absorbed by your …
Whether it’s cooling off your living space in a hot summer, or heating your home in the midst of winter, you probably agree that your HVAC system is not a cheap affair – according to ENERGYSTAR, heating and cooling your house makes up for about half of the total energy bill. No wonder we continuously …
With Christmas just a few weeks away, neighborhoods around America are converted into pockets of festive joy and bright glow of red, green, and white – string lights, tree lights, icicle lights, waving Santas, or Rudolf with a bright red neon nose. If are more of a realist, you might look at Christmas lights as not …
If you are like the rest of us, you probably don’t often think about electricity and when you do, it is usually negative connotations – when your power goes out or when you discover an outrageously high electric bill. But electric energy is actually pretty fascinating and many scientists and environmentalists forecast that in the …
We use electricity for virtually everything in our homes, from turning on the lights, cooking, keeping our food fresh in the refrigerator to powering our TVs, phones, and laptops. Then the electricity bill arrives at the end of the month and sends u into a wave of budgetary panic. If you are one of those …
When you start thinking about reducing your energy usage and shaving off a few dollars of your electricity bill, you usually worry about things like the dishwasher, washing machine, or heating. One item you probably don’t think twice about is your light bulbs. Why? They are small, so they can’t consume that much electricity, even …
We are in the midst of a lighting revolution. In 2010, incandescent light bulbs were installed in 68% of U.S. homes but by 2016, this number dropped to 6%. What are they getting replaced by? LEDs or light-emitting diodes. It’s not surprising – LEDs are almost twice as efficient, last 25 times longer, and are …
They say that Fort Worth embodies Texas – where else can you find the cowboy culture and urban sophistication seamlessly merging together than in Texas’ fifth-largest city? But it’s not only the cattle trade history, top-notch restaurants, and architecture that makes Fort Worth attractive. The Lone Star State also enjoys the state’s deregulated energy market, …
If you think that your energy company overcharged you on your bills, you are not alone. According to the Department of National Utilities Refund, an average of 79% of companies suffer overcharges and billing errors. One way to know for sure is to hire a utility bill auditor. Energy Bill Audits So what are energy bill …
Summer might officially be over, but September can bring a wide variety of weather across the U.S, including late-season heat waves. Whether you leave your house to go to work every morning or planning a late summer vacation, you might be wondering what temperature to leave your vacant house to avoid ranking up the energy bills. …
Why recycle? You are probably familiar with the quiet, yet nudging voice in the back of your head that goes ‘You should recycle that’ every time you throw a soda can into an all-purpose garbage bin. Recycling is like eating more vegetables or watching less TV – we all know that we should do it …
You shopped around for electric suppliers, found a great offer, signed a contract, and switched. You should now be kicking back and enjoying the savings pouring in, but you can’t. For whatever reason, you now want to get out of the contract and are wondering if it’s possible. Although we can’t guarantee to get you …
As consumers, we are always on the lookout for the next bargain, so when the magic word ‘free’ is uttered in relation to a usually expensive product, such as electricity, we have to know more. At some point, you might have come across an energy provider advertising a ‘free nights and weekends electricity plan and …
Looking for a new electric supplier can be daunting – there are so many rates, plans, and contract types out there, and trying to navigate through it all can ultimately deter you from switching. Don’t worry, we are here to help. Below is everything you need to know about choosing the best electricity supplier. Let’s …
You probably don’t stop and think about your electric bills too much, apart from an exasperated sigh that energy prices keep going up every year. If you have given your bills a second look, you must have found various separate charges that keep changing every month – and you might be wondering why? We believe …
Imagine that you would only be able to buy groceries from one supermarket – the one closest to your house – and as a result, this supermarket would be able to charge you a lot higher prices. This was the state of the energy industry in the United States, before the deregulation of electricity market …
If you are considering installing a solar panel for your home, there are a number of things you will need to figure out – including the type, direction, and inter-connection system for your panels. Even if you decide to leave the actual installation work to a professional, it’s good to be aware of the basic …
Why Should You Buy A Space Heater? When it’s cold outside, cozying up next to an electric heater can be so comfortable. These portable devices work by lighting up a wire coil and then using a small built-in fan to blow the heat out into space. Heaters can be a great addition to your central …
When it comes to your electricity bill, your choice of electric appliances (and how effectively you use them) can have a significant impact. Electric space heaters provide a quick and efficient way to heat small to moderate-sized spaces and rooms in winter and have the added benefit of not requiring fuel to run. However, this …
When you woke up this morning, you probably turned on the lamp in your room. You then switched on your computer, went into the kitchen, boiled the kettle, and turned on the oven to start making breakfast. Congratulations! You have used approximately 2 to 5 kilowatt-hours of energy. You’ll most likely use some tomorrow and …
A global virus that keeps us contained in our homes – potentially for months – has caused unprecedented chaos around the world. Let’s look at one area that hasn’t been discussed much as of yet – what impact will self-isolation in the time of COVID-19 have on your utility bill. For many Americans right now, …
Do you get a sinking feeling every time you open utility bills? It doesn’t have to be this way. Lowering your electric bill by a few dollars each month can add up to a chunk of money saved over the course of the year. But how to save electricity and cut your bill, without making …
Maryland has worked hard to ramp up its energy efficiency, set goals for lowering emissions from energy production, and build its renewable energy generation capacity. “In 2017, Maryland ranked among the top 10 most energy-efficient states in the nation,” says the Environmental Information Administration (EIA). Here are Maryland’s primary sources of electricity generation, ranked by …
Solar energy is a renewable resource that has received a lot of attention thanks to the various benefits of using it as a source for electricity generation. While there are many advantages to using solar power, there are also several downsides that the public should be aware of. Solar energy is expensive. Concentrated solar power …
Despite getting a bad name in the media, Coal is a reliable and abundant resource fueling the modern western society. Coal has been fueling our lives since it first spawned the Industrial Revolution back in the late 1700s. To this day, coal remains one of our primary sources of energy and provides tens of thousands of …
Despite its high electricity prices, Connecticut’s electricity consumption is quite low. “Demand for air conditioning is low during the mild summer months, and only about one in six Connecticut households use electricity as a primary source for home heating in winter,” says the Environmental Information Administration (EIA). However, as electric cars gain popularity, demand will …
Are you wondering if your state is on the list of the top solar supporters? Or are you considering such factors in an upcoming move? In addition to incentive programs that offer grants or loans, it’s important to look at how quickly you can recoup your costs by selling energy to the grid. To track …
REEs are used in everything from solar panels to electric cars. Due to environmental and foreign policy concerns, they also have an uncertain future. Rare earth elements are used in everything from renewables to spacecraft and play a critical role in today’s world. Their importance in our society will only increase in the coming years …
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