Author Archives: touchstone energy
Pull the Plug, Save Some Shillings
Even when not in use, cell phone chargers and other plug-in household appliances use electricity. This energy drain is known as phantom loads, vampire electricity, or standby power. Although it may seem small, several appliances drawing vampire electricity in a … Continue reading
Heat Up Your Summer Energy Savings
With temperatures on the rise, now is a perfect time to make your home more energy-efficient. ENERGY STAR® offers suggestions for how to reduce your annual electricity costs by up to a third—that adds up to about $700 savings per … Continue reading
Tagged cfl, HVAC, light, light bulb, phantom load, Refrigerator, save energy save money, water heater
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More Efficient Light Bulbs Save Cash
Did you know that traditional incandescent light bulbs will be phased out by 2014? In an effort it increase efficiency and save energy, the federal government requires that light bulbs be at least 25 percent more efficient than the standard … Continue reading
Tagged Energy Efficiency, energy star, Halogen, LED, light, light bulb, save energy save money
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Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
If you recently purchased an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your home, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit. While some energy efficiency tax credits are only available through 2011, others such as installing a Geothermal … Continue reading
Save Money on Next Year’s Taxes with Energy Efficiency Improvements to Your Home Today
If you missed out of any of the 2010 tax credits for energy efficiency upgrades to your home don’t worry because there are a lot of money and energy saving incentives you can take advantage of in 2011. For example, … Continue reading
Tagged energy saving, energy star, rebates, taxes, windows
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Sometimes the Smallest Appliances Are the Biggest Energy Wasters
Do you have a coffee maker? What about a digital picture frame? Or a set-top cable box? You might not think of these types of devices as energy hogs but when left on all day and night they quickly add … Continue reading
Tagged appliance, epri, phantom load, save energy save money
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Paying Attention to Your Heat Pump Can Avoid Big Bills
Air-air heat pumps are extremely efficient heating systems, when it’s the part of the system supplying the heat for your home. If the outside unit fails though, you could be faced with big utility bills. A heat pumps is the … Continue reading
Tagged appliance, co-op, Cooling, energy bill, furnace, heat pump, Heating, thermostat
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Which Gaming System is the Most Energy Efficient?
A new study from the Electric Power Research Institute listing just how much power it takes to play the three most popular video gaming systems has come out and the Nintendo WiiTM took home the high score. According to EPRI, … Continue reading
Tagged electronics, Energy Efficiency, entertainment system, video game
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An Energy Bill Breakdown and What You Can Do to Lower It
According to EnergyStar, the average household spends about $2,200 a year on their energy bill. So here’s an energy bill breakdown: 46% on HVAC systems. 14% on Water Heating. 12% on Lighting. 13% on Home Appliances. 11% on other Electronics … Continue reading
Energy Saving Products That Pay for Themselves
You want a good return on your stocks and other investments, but what about the household products you buy? You might not think of your everyday household items as a source of high ROI – return on investment – but … Continue reading
Tagged energy, Energy Efficiency, energy saving, energy star, light, save energy save money
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