Easy Energy Saving

You might not think of a ceiling fan as one of the necessities in your home. Truthfully, a ceiling fan can add to the look of a room while adding great comfort. Ceiling fans are also a big help in the warmer months, when they can give our air conditioners a rest. If your looking for a new ceiling fan, or perhaps your first ceiling fan, there are several different options, so make sure you find the one that’s going to meet your needs. . Ceiling fans come in different sizes, so you’ll want to have an idea of the area you’re dealing with before you head to the store. If you want to save a little money, and who doesn’t, look for a model that’s energy-efficient, but that still pushes plenty of air around. Often this will come in the form of unique-shaped blades, such as an airfoil shape. As for look, the motor and the blades will come in a variety of materials, textures, and colors. If that’s a priority, make sure you find the one that will compliment the room you’re trying to cool. Some fans have little extras, like different mounting positions, multiple speeds, remote controls, and warranties. You have to compare this to what you’re really looking for in a ceiling fan to find the perfect one for you. Using these tips, you’ll be cooling under your new ceiling fan before you know it.

A frozen dinner might not stand up to a gourmet meal, but some of them can be rather tasty, and they’re actually saving your home some energy. How much energy? By using your microwave to warm up a plate of food, instead of your conventional oven, you’re saving anywhere between 50 to 65 percent less energy. While the microwave saves some money on the energy bills, it’s also helpful in that it doesn’t heat up your entire kitchen (or perhaps your entire apartment) while heating up a small meal! On the next warm, sunny day, consider giving your air conditioner a break and nuking your food instead if turning on the oven. Microwaves save money and energy because they are so efficient. Their efficiency comes from the high-frequency waves that get inside the food, heat the water molecules, and speed up the cooking time. A plate of food that would take an hour in the oven, takes only 8-10 minutes in the microwave. When you compare several cooking appliances, the microwave is the third to lowest in energy use, with on .36 kWh (energy) for 15 minutes of use on “high.” The lowest energy sucker is the crockpot, which only uses .7 kWh at 200 degrees for 7 hours. The highest energy user is the electric oven using 2.0 kWh at 350 degrees for one hour. While your microwave might not be the tool you use for all of your cooking needs, consider it a good option when you’ve got a plate of food, a bowl of soup, or even a dish of potatoes that need warming.