Tag: CFL

Improving The Energy Efficiency Of A Business

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With the constant rise in energy prices it is becoming more important for businesses to focus on improving their energy efficiency. There are many ways to improve your business energy efficiency some of which I’ll explain in this article.

Before digging any deeper it is important to have a clear understanding of what energy efficiency is. Energy efficiency in plain English is the efficient use of energy by business or households. Improving business energy efficiency is the goal to reduce the energy consumption within all areas of a business, be it in the production line or in the offices.

Simple examples of energy efficiency improvements are when you reduce by one degree the water temperature of your boiler or insulate the premises so the building uses less heating and cooling. But improving business energy efficiency goes far beyond that.

First of all any commercial building with over 50m2 must have an Energy Performance Certificate to determine its energy efficiency grade. The EPC classify buildings in two distinct categories: Simple Building and Complex Building, this will affect the type of EPC assessor you will need. (For detailed information see resources box link Energy Performance Certificate).

Install smart meters to gain more control over your energy consumption and expenditures. This next generation of electricity meters were developed to put an end to estimated utility bills and meter readings, and provide customers and energy suppliers with accurate information on the amount of electricity and gas being used.

According to a survey conducted by the Carbon Trust, businesses that installed smart energy meters reported savings of 12% a year when combined with consumption data and energy-saving advice. Hence the importance of hiring an energy consultancy company.

Back in the mid 90s the energy industry was revolutionised by the introduction of compact fluorescent lamps (energy saving lights). CFL lamps consume less energy and have a lifespan 15 times longer than ordinary incandescent light bulbs. Nowadays a new lighting revolution is taking place with the introduction of LED Lights.

LED lighting can save up to 90% on lighting bills, since lighting accounts for 40% of your business electricity bill; led lights can not only improve your business energy efficiency considerably but also reduce its carbon footprint.

Fact: Eco Solutions LED lights last on average 50,000 hours thats 42,000 hours more than the traditional tubes.

Replace old machinery with newer and more energy efficient. Modern machinery uses significantly less energy. With that mindset the UK Government is working on a multi-billion pound scheme help more than 4m businesses replace energy hungry equipment with more energy efficient ones improving their overall business energy efficiency.

As you can see improving your overall business energy can be strenuous job and it is best if left to the professionals. So my final advice here is hire an energy consultancy firm and let their energy consultants find the best ways for your business to save money on energy bills.

Energy Savings Tips to Prepare Your Home for Solar Power

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When you invest in solar panels for your home, you are making a commitment to reduce your carbon footprint while saving money on your monthly energy usage. In order to get the most out of your solar panels, you will want to take a few steps to reduce your overall energy usage every month. Following these simple steps will help you to create a more energy efficient home, allowing you to get the maximum benefit from your solar panels.

Replace Your Old Light Bulbs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs use less energy, making them a great alternative to traditional light bulbs. On average, CFL units last up to eight times as long as your existing light bulbs, so you can save money on replacements and electricity usage at the same time. Use these energy-savers wherever you can in your home to reduce the amount of electricity used when you flip your light switches.

Weatherproof Your Home

Heat can escape from older windows and doors, which can increase the amount of energy needed to heat your home. Replacing your single-pane windows with more efficient units can help to reduce your overall energy usage. Weather stripping and door seals should also be checked and replaced to prevent drafts from coming into your home.

Replace Older Appliances

Appliances made twenty years ago are not as efficient as those made today, and they can use a considerable amount of energy. By replacing these old units with more efficient models, you can instantly reduce your energy consumption while modernizing your home.

Use Strip Surge Protectors

Power strips, or strip surge protectors, can help you to reduce the energy your home electronics consume. With the flip of one switch, you can turn off the power going to each of these energy-draining devices. This allows you to keep all of the programmed functions on your devices to stay in place while still saving energy. Be sure to turn the power off before bed each night and when these items are not in use during the day.

Use Your Appliances More Efficiently

Even with new models, washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators can use a lot of electricity. There are some simple things you can do to improve the energy usage for these major appliances. Washing clothes in cold water uses less electricity than using warm or hot water. Running your dishwasher during the day when your solar panels are working at maximum capacity gives you better usage rates than running it at night when you may have to use power from the grid.
Keeping your refrigerator or freezer set to the highest safe food storage temperature helps save money and energy while still keeping your food preserved.

Check Your Heating Ductwork

For homes that have central heating and cooling systems, checking your ductwork is a key to saving energy. Clogged or leaking ducts can make your system work overtime, which consumes more energy and leads to less efficient heating and cooling. If you are unsure how to do this yourself, you can hire a licensed contractor to take this task on for you.

Solar panels allow you to begin saving money on your monthly utility costs while having a better impact on the environment. You will need to change your energy consumption habits, but each of these simple steps are designed to allow you to change your habits with minimal impact on how you lead your daily life. When you are ready to install solar panels for your home, be sure to take these tips into account to maximize your energy and monetary savings.

Economic & Energy Saving Kitchen Lighting Ideas

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We all want to live in a cleaner, more beautiful world. These kitchen lighting ideas will reduce unnecessary energy consumption and even decrease your monthly spending. Who doesn’t want to save a little on their electric bill each month? Try any of these innovative kitchen lighting ideas in your home today, and enjoy a little extra cash tomorrow.

Kitchen undercabinet lighting is an easy update for your home. Tucked away beneath upper cabinets, kitchen undercabinet lighting sets the work surfaces aglow when switched on. These subtle lights are great at night when the hubbub of the kitchen has died down, and only one person is left to his or her work. Save energy by switching off the main lights and using your kitchen undercabinet lighting to illuminate your countertop. This is also a low-energy light to leave on when one family member will be home late.

While we are on the subject of savings, you may want to consider switching to fluorescent lights. Not only do these produce a cooler, brighter light, but fluorescent lights are also cost-effective on two levels. There are two expenses to a bulb. There is the initial amount that the bulb costs (this includes how many hours it lasts because a bulb that is cheap but only lasts a few hours ends up being more expensive from constant changing) and the energy efficiency (i.e. how much energy it costs to run). The difference between incandescents and fluorescent lights is astounding. A 60-watt incandescent bulb uses the same energy as a 15-watt fluorescent bulb. That is a tremendous energy savings right there. Fluorescent lights also produce a third less heat than standard bulbs, so you are saving on your AC bills in the summer as well. All in all, CFL and fluorescent lights save you a remarkable amount both in the long and short run.

Ceiling fans are also effortless energy savers. The ultimate lifesavers in the kitchen, ceiling fans take the sauna out of a busy day cooking and replace it with a pleasantly cool breeze. Instead of running the AC whenever it gets warm in your kitchen, switch on the ceiling fan for both illumination and exhilaration. In addition, ceiling fans help save energy in the winter. When the weather gets cooler, reverse the direction that your ceiling fans rotate in, and this will effectively warm your rooms instead of costly heaters.

Kitchen track lighting, when used properly, can further your savings. Adjustable light fixtures make kitchen track lighting ideal for homes with multiple work surfaces in a room. Instead of using several light fixtures to illuminate each area properly, fix each head of your kitchen track lighting onto the work surfaces that are being used. Directing the light at the specific locations being used, you are harnessing all of the illumination power, making additional lighting elements unnecessary. Why use two lights when the full power of one light will suffice?

Finally, look towards recessed kitchen lighting for a little time-savings in your life. With our busy schedules, everyone could use a little extra time. Recessed lighting gives you the luxury of ample illumination without the hassle of cleaning several light fixtures. Because your recessed kitchen lighting is stored up in the ceiling, none of the fixture is exposed to become dirty. This saves you time from cleaning all those light heads. Even if it’s only twice a year, this is one chore that you will be grateful to pass up.

Do your part to save energy wherever you can. With all the money you save using these kitchen lighting ideas, you can treat yourself to a vacation or a new piece of furniture. Keep the earth clean and cash in all at once with these effortless lighting solutions.