www.henwoodenergy.com http://www.henwoodenergy.com Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 Winter: Save on Energy, Heating and Money http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2012/02/20/winter-save-on-energy-heating-and-money/ http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2012/02/20/winter-save-on-energy-heating-and-money/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.henwoodenergy.com/?p=12 The price of energy is climbing and if you live on the East Coast, then you might find yourself dreading the colder seasons. Sure, there might be a couple Energy rates in New York and other places that will give you a decent price, but most of the time, when winter hits, we find ourselves turning up the heat and emptying our wallets. Luckily, it doesn’t need to be this way and there are a few things you can do in your home to help save energy and money during the colder months.

Part of the reason we pay so much in energy bills during the winter is that we find ourselves doing more to keep warm – turning up the heat, taking longer and hotter showers, etc. The reason for this is mostly because heat is escaping from the home and cold air is finding its way in through the windows and doors. Below is a short list of things you can do to conserve both your heat and your energy.

1. Window seal
This can be bought in most hardware stores and seals your window with a thin sheet of plastic to conserve heat.

2. Close curtains
Closing drapes can help keep the hot air in your home and stifle the flow of cold air – especially if your window has a draft.

3. More layers
Most clothing and blankets will help you conserve your body heat.

Doing these things can not only help you conserve heat, they can make the temptation to crank up the heat less appealing.

]]> http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2012/02/20/winter-save-on-energy-heating-and-money/feed/ 0 How To Lower Your Monthly Energy Bill http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2011/09/12/how-to-lower-your-monthly-energy-bill/ http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2011/09/12/how-to-lower-your-monthly-energy-bill/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.henwoodenergy.com/?p=11 If you really love saving money, lowering your monthly energy bill is one way to do so. And, not only will you be saving money, but making a few simple changes you are going to find huge monthly savings on your energy bill. So, with these small changes you are going to watch your bill shrink, and at the same time, be helping the earth. For the most in savings, you are going to want to go green. You have to purchase only energy star and energy efficient appliances and electronic products for your home. Not only will you save on the electric bill, you are also going to get a tax break when you buy these appliances.

You are also going to want to consider small changes such as unplugging outlets when not in use, and setting the A/C a few degrees higher and leaving it on auto, rather than turning it on and off everytime you come home and leave. You also want to set the settings in your home for outlets at a savings mode, to allow you to use the least energy when things are plugged in. A few simple changes really will go a long way.

]]> http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2011/09/12/how-to-lower-your-monthly-energy-bill/feed/ 0 Ten Ways To Start Conserving Energy http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2011/09/10/ten-ways-to-start-conserving-energy/ http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2011/09/10/ten-ways-to-start-conserving-energy/#comments Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.henwoodenergy.com/?p=10 Some sources of energy – like ethanol that powers the engine of a car – are made from corn. Other biofuels are made from vegetable oil. Other renewables include solar energy, wind energy and energy from rain, trees, the tides at sea; and from the earth itself — as geothermal energy.

Nonrenewable energy comes from sources such as the uranium, completely consumed in the production of nuclear energy; as well as the fossil fuels — coal, petroleum and natural gas — that can not be replaced.

Since energy costs will make up a good portion of household expenditures it will pay to make a few changes and then review the impact that efficient energy use can have on the monthly household budget, so it’s both lean and “green.”

+ Do the laundry in full loads of cold water

+ Set the temperature of the water heater to 120° F

+ Use caulking on any air leaks around the windows and doors

+ Maintain or replace air filters on heating systems and cooling systems

+ Insulate the walls, ceiling, and floors of the home to retain heat

+ Monitor the actual cost per mile of local driving for your vehicle.

+ Monitor the actual cost of a 5-minute shower for your household

+ Install compact fluorescent lights

+ Reduce standby power by turning of electronic appliances not in use

+ Look for eco-labels and buy only energy-efficient appliances.

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]]> http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2011/09/10/ten-ways-to-start-conserving-energy/feed/ 0 How To Save Money On Your Electric Bill http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2011/09/08/how-to-save-money-on-your-electric-bill/ http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2011/09/08/how-to-save-money-on-your-electric-bill/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.henwoodenergy.com/?p=9 With the economy suffering the way it is, most people are needing ways to save on utility bills. The electric bill seems to be raising when the economy isn’t. Finding ways to cut the electric bill is a must. One way to do so would be to replace your windows. Most older houses have the old wood windows, upgrading them to an energy efficient vinyl window is a huge way to cut the electric bill. Purchasing windows that have low efficiency glass will help cutting the bill. The “low e” glass blocks heat from getting in during the summer and blocks the cold from getting in during the winter. By upgrading your homes windows you will be able to cut the electric bill and add value to your home. You can purchase replacement windows at any home improvement store or lumber yard. When preparing to replace the windows, you should shop around to find the best cost and the best ratings on the windows. You should ask how well the windows block out the cold and hot. Most windows are built to any shape or size that you will need. You would just remove the old window and install the new window in the same opening. Replacing windows is the first step in cutting the electric bill.

]]> http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2011/09/08/how-to-save-money-on-your-electric-bill/feed/ 0 Guide To Energy Conservation In Your Home http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2011/09/05/guide-to-energy-conservation-in-your-home/ http://www.henwoodenergy.com/2011/09/05/guide-to-energy-conservation-in-your-home/#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.henwoodenergy.com/?p=8 Conserving energy in your home also means saving money on your heating costs. When winter approaches and the cold weather starts affecting your wallet, then you want to start taking action around your home to cut back that monthly bill.

There are many options that you can do yourself to lower your bill and keep the cold air out and the warm air in. One major step is to lower your thermostat when you are not at home or while you are sleeping. You can program many thermostats to do this automatically for you these days, and you’ll never even notice the change.

Other ideas are to open your drapes during the day to let the solar heat of the sun help warm your house, then close them tight at night, to keep the heat in. If you have drafts around your windows you can close the gaps with caulk, or put plastic over the whole window. Get a door sweep to block drafts under exterior doors.

Remember to change your furnace filters often–they are not expensive, and help your furnace run more effectively. Or if you have access to firewood, consider investing in a wood-burning stove.

These are just a few of the many ways to conserve energy–and money–in the cold days of winter.

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