As our appliances get bigger and more powerful, the electrical grid remains the same. And since replacing the grid is more than a weekend project, it is time to look at some other solutions.

Sensing Overload

Scientists from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington have found that giving the grid a breather when it starts to go into overload may decrease the chances of grid failure. Specifically, they tested appliances with computer chips that are able to sense a grid overload. The appliance will then adjust so as to reduce the risk of grid failure.

So, your dryer’s heating element might shut down, but the clothes keep tumbling or your refrigerator’s compressor may temporarily switch off, but the light will still turn on when you open the door. These minimal precautions can give the grid a much needed break and help avoid a complete failure.

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Ever wonder where the biggest chunk of your utility bill comes from? It actually comes from your appliances, namely your refrigerator. It is the chief energy guzzling appliance in your home, consuming a whopping 13.7% of house-hold energy, over 1000 Kilowatts of electricity a year, and nearly five times the electricity of a color TV., according to the U.S. Department of Energy . Luckily, newer Energy Star certified models will save you a bundle on utility costs.

Big Consumer

Refrigerators, surprisingly, are a big chunk of our utility bills. They consume almost as much as a color TV, clothes dryer, and freezer combined! We often shut off the lights and turn down the heat to save energy, meanwhile, huge amounts of energy are escaping from the refrigerator door as we scour for a midnight snack.

But we are not the only ones to blame, our out-of-date refrigerators are just as guilty. In fact, according to Energy Star, refrigerators from before 1990 use enough extra energy in a year (over a current Energy Star models) to light a house for four months! Efficiency has been improved with better insulation, more precise temperature and defrost gauges, and more efficient compressors. And improvements have been continuous—models today realize nearly 40% savings in energy use over refrigerators in 2001.
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Ditching your commute for a home office may seem like a great way to save money, but working from home isn’t entirely free. Running computers, office equipment, heating/cooling equipment, and lighting all day as opposed to just the few morning and evening hours in a day will increase your utility bills.

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Changing out your old water fixtures for low-flow ones is easy and fairly inexpensive. But if you have been avoiding this task because you are afraid of losing precious water pressure, don’t worry, low-flow fixtures have come a long way.

How Much Can I Possibly Save?

Taking a quick 5 minute shower can use up to 40 gallons of water, according to FlexYourPower.org . Replacing your showerhead with a low-flow fixture can save up to 80% of that water per shower!

So the answer seems easy: replace your water-wasting fixtures with low-flow fixtures. But most of us are still reluctant to do so because a low-flow shower suggests low pressure, which doesn’t sound too attractive in the morning. However, manufacturers have recognized this and have developed low-flow showerheads that feel just like their less-efficient, conventional counterparts.

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When shopping for an energy efficient washer and dryer, you might find that most washers are front loading (also know as vertical-axis washers).

So, what is it that makes a front loading washer more efficient than a top loading (horizontal-axis) washer?

According to Energy Star, front loading washers are up to 40% more efficient than top loaders.

Top loading washers fill the tub with about 40 gallons of water in order to soak the entire load of laundry.

The tub of a front loading washer rotates so that laundry tumbles into a smaller amount of water (18-25 gallons) at the bottom of the washer, therefore, the tub does not need to be filled completely.

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