Have you ever had trouble sleeping at night and the next day you feel drained of energy?  Well, it may surprise you to learn that you may not be the only thinking entity in your house with this problem.  Your computer may be experiencing insomnia as well.  In fact, it may not be getting any sleep at all resulting in a big energy drain.  It may still perform with no problems, but your electric bill is not going to be doing so well.

Did you know that you can save energy, save money, and help the environment by activating power management features on your computer?  In fact, it can cut the electricity used by your PCs roughly in half, saving $25–75 per PC annually.  Saving energy also reduces air pollution associated with the burning of fossil fuels, and ultimately lowers the risk of climate change.

If you have a laptop then chances are it’s being power managed.  After all, the battery only lasts so long. While they use less energy than desktops, notebook computers still burn about 20–30 watts of power. System standby and hibernate features reduce notebook power draw to 1–2 watts, so the energy savings are still very significant. Be sure to activate system standby and hibernate features in the AC power profile (which saves power when the notebook is plugged into the wall) — not just the DC power profile (which prolongs battery life).

Oh, and by the way screen savers do not save screens and they certainly don’t save energy.  This is a myth.  In the old days of boxy clunky monitors, screen savers may have done some good, but today’s monitors do not need screen savers to help with their longevity. In fact, certain graphics-intensive screen savers can cause the computer to burn twice as much energy, and may actually prevent a computer from entering sleep mode.  Screen savers were originally developed to prevent the permanent etching of patterns on older monochrome monitors. Modern display screens do not suffer as much from this problem, but screen savers are still used for entertainment.  If you want to use your screen saver in conjunction with monitor power management, set the screen saver “wait time” to less than the period of time after which the monitor enters sleep mode. If your screen saver appears but your monitor never enters sleep mode, your screen saver may be the culprit: try disabling it.

Ok, so I have used my powers of persuasion to convince you.  Now I’ll just wait a few moments while you change those settings.  Done? Great.  Now, if you really want save some energy, next time you’re in the office check to see if your computer at work is going to sleep or what your organization’s policy on this is.  Even if there are only 50 computers in your office that could possibly save $3,500 per year in energy costs.  You may have just earned a promotion.  Work for a bigger organization? Just look at General Electric. The company activated power management features on 75,000 computers and is estimated to have saved $2.5 million a year.  That’s enough energy savings to light over 23,000 homes for a year. Because saving energy prevents pollution associated with generating electricity, these actions will prevent 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions – equivalent to planting 5,600 acres of trees.

But don’t feel like you have to save the whole world. Start at home and just take one simple step that will save you money and help the environment.  Besides, sleep is oh so good.

We were just made aware of this information and would like to update you!

Texas Tells Feds: Shove Your Light Bulb Ban

State lawmakers have passed a bill that allows Texans to skirt federal efforts to promote more efficient light bulbs, which ultimately pushes the swirled, compact fluorescent bulbs over the 100-watt incandescent bulbs many grew up with.

The measure, sent to Gov. Rick Perry for consideration, lets any incandescent light bulb manufactured in Texas – and sold in that state – avoid the authority of the federal government or the repeal of the 2007 energy independence act that starts phasing out some incandescent light bulbs next year.

“Let there be light,” state Rep. George Lavender, R-Texarkana, wrote on Facebook after the bill passed. “It will allow the continued manufacture and sale of incandescent light bulbs in Texas, even after the federal ban goes into effect. … It’s a good day for Texas.”

The Natural Resources Defense Council, a New York-based environmental group, is calling on Perry to veto the bill.
Hope you found this information useful! Remember, Energy Improvements is your leading source of Radiant Barrier

Hello:

I am looking at seeing if I should have a Dallas Radiant Barrier or insulation installed on my garage door in hot weather?

Dallas Radiant Barrier Answer:

If your garage is not heated or air conditioned then you basically need “shade” not insulation, so radiant barrier is the way to go.

Another way to cool the garage is to help ventilate it. If you have a pulldown staircase or scuddle hole, prop it open and then set the proximity switch on the garage door opener to get it to stop an inch or two before completely closing. Air will come under the door, through the garage, up and out the attic door and then through the attic. Combine good air flow with radiant barrier and the garage will be much cooler.

Finally, if you have an attic over the garage then installing Energy Shield Dallas Radiant Barrier Foil is the way to go!

Home-energy display mobile phone application that shows how much energy an appliance is consuming.

Last December, Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Patricia Hoffman challenged utilities to redefine customer service by finding ways to enable customers to participate more fully in their electric system. She emphasized that as utilities modernize the grid, involving customers in the process is essential in making the grid smarter, more secure, and more reliable.

As head of the Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Pat has helped lead the way by requiring that some utilities receiving Recovery Act Smart Grid funds study how consumers react to Smart Grid technologies. She has also encouraged utilities to share lessons learned about their customer outreach efforts with other utilities embarking on Smart Grid deployments.

A key requirement of a small number of the Department’s Smart Grid Investment Grants (SGIG) is the conduct of a consumer study with assistance from Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory and the Department. Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OGE), recipient of a $130 million Recovery Act SGIG award, is currently conducting one of these studies.

OGE’s study examines advanced metering, dynamic pricing, and customer education to determine how electricity consumption patterns can change if electricity is priced higher during peak periods. This type of “congestion pricing” has been used in other industries and has been shown to lessen demand. The question is: how well will it work with electricity and, more importantly, will customers like it?

The first phase of OGE’s study has already been completed and involved about 2500 randomly-selected volunteers – both residents and small businesses – who participated in one of two peak pricing programs. Peak pricing involves customers paying a higher price during those hours on days when the electric system is running full out (e.g., the hottest summer days) and a lower price when demand is low and ample supplies are available. OGE’s results for last summer include:

• Customers with smart thermostats reduced their electricity use by as much as 57 percent during peak periods as compared to a control group. Participants on the Variable Peak Pricing program used less electricity when prices were high. In fact, average peak period electricity use was about 33 percent lower during high price periods.

• OGE’s researchers found its approach to involve customers through outreach education and focus group dialogues to be effective. OGE plans to take the lessons learned from these “Phase 1” results and apply them in the second phase starting this summer. OGE has also shared some lessons learned about its customer outreach experience with First Energy, another Recovery Act SGIG recipient.

In addition to SGIG consumer studies, recipients of funding from other Department of Energy Recovery Act grant programs like the Pecan Street Project – which is getting $10.4 million for a Smart Grid Demonstration – are conducting their own independent studies. The Pecan Street Project just completed installation of Smart Grid systems in 100 “green-built” homes (11 of which have roof-top solar PV systems) in Austin, Texas’ Mueller Community. Another 100 homes built under traditional codes ten years ago will be added this spring to compare results against the green homes. Researchers will then spend one year learning about how all of these study volunteers use smart grid technology to manage their energy consumption.

According to Pecan Street Project Executive Director Brewster McCracken, “The customer will have final say about whether the smart grid is a smart idea.” This feedback will help researchers design new and better home smart grid systems. Pecan Street Project is already planning to expand the study to 1,000 homes and 75 commercial customers in the future.

“There is strong support for this smart grid project in the Mueller community,” said Kathy Sokolic, one of the two Mueller residents that serve on the project’s executive committee. “Having residents on the project team has played a big role in creating a sense of ownership in Pecan Street Project’s work.”

While early results from OGE and Pecan Street Project help demonstrate that customers are willing to change the way they use electricity in response to home smart grid systems and dynamic pricing programs that save them money, it is critical that energy providers continue to encourage customers’ participation in these programs through outreach and education. It’s also vital for utilities with good outreach approaches to share lessons learned with others so energy customers can realize the experiences of OGE’s and Pecan Street Project’s customers across the country.

This article was brought to you from your Radiant Barrier Experts Energy Improvements.

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Is your house or building currently insulated with traditional Beaumont attic insulation but still gets hot in the summer time or cold within the winter? Maybe you should  look into how installing radiant barrier can improve your situation. Beaumont Radiant barrier are installed in buildings to specifically reflect summer radiant heat from entering your home and to protect against winter radiant heat loss throughout the winter months. They can do this because they consist of a thin sheet of highly reflective material, pure aluminum (99%). Aluminum is able to reflect heat back to the heat source. It also allows very little heat to be transferred past the radiant barrier surface. Beaumont radiant barrier can be utilized in residential, commercial or industrial buildings with amazing success.

What to expect with an Orange Radiant Barrier and Beaumont Radiant Barrier:

• Reflect up to 97% of the radiant energy striking your home
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• Never have to insulate your attic again!
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Lake Charles Radiant Barrier Foil is the Answer!

With the increasing energy prices, homeowners are constantly looking for ways that they can make their home comfortable and more energy efficient without breaking the bank to do so. Lake Charles Radiant barrier foil is one such thing that is definitely worth a look at when searching for ways to cut down on monthly energy costs.With the increasing energy prices, homeowners are constantly looking for ways that they can make their home comfortable and more energy efficient without breaking the bank to do so. Lake Charles Radiant barrier foil is one such thing that is definitely worth a look at when searching for ways to cut down on monthly energy costs.In addition to the reduction in energy costs, there are many benefits to using Lake Charles radiant barrier foil insulation. The foil is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic, making it easier to handle.  Once installed, it requires no maintenance!

With Energy Improvement’s Lake Charles Radiant Barrier Foil Shield you will

• • Reflect up to 97% of the radiant energy striking your home
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  • Increase the comfort level of your home
  • Increases the efficiency of A/C and Heating unit
  • Radiant Barrier is Maintenance free
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Looking For a Way to Reduce Energy Costs? Nederland Radiant Barrier Foil Might Be the Answer!

How does Nederland Radiant Barrier impact energy bills?

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Learn a few quick Home Energy Tips that can save you money.

Do you suffer from Phantom Loads in your house?