Most of us are still suffering from the downturn in the economy but there are so many little things we can do each day to save money, many of which save energy too!

Unplug your chargers (cell phone, cordless tools, battery chargers, cameras, etc.) while not actually charging.

Use a power strip or surge protector to turn off TV’s, stereos, home theatre systems while you are not using them. They are still consuming energy even in “standby” mode.

Use a programmable thermostat to lower the temperature during the day while out of the house or active in the house and also lower at night for sleeping.

Set the water heater to 120 degrees.  This should still provide plenty of hot water but still save energy.

Most electricity suppliers offer a peak/off peak schedule.  Set up to use washing machines, dishwashers, etc. during off-peak periods.

Wash only full loads in the dishwasher and use short cycles for all but the dirtiest loads.  Setting to air dry will also provide good savings.

Use cold water in the washing machine.

Swap out standard light bulbs for energy saving compacts. Use solar powered lighting in your garden and on your patio.

Check for gaps around windows and doors.  Caulking, weather-stripping and “door-sweeps” can stop significant air leaks.

And finally, don’t forget when replacing appliances or buying electrical goods always check the energy star rating.

In today’s economic climate it is even more important that we are efficient in saving energy whenever possible. You really should consider installing a programmable thermostat NOW!! ………..

Obviously, this has the added effect of greening your lifestyle. We, at It’s Eco Time, don’t believe in quirky, gimmicky ways to green up your lifestyle. We believe that to make a difference you need to look at long term sustainable changes you can make to safe money and improve the quality of your lifestyle.

Our programmable thermostats can save you as much as 30% on heating and cooling costs. They are Energy Star compliant, there are separate programmes for heating and cooling and you will have the ability to programme for weekdays and weekends separately too.

Check out these products at www.itsecotime.com and don’t forget to leave us your comments or share any tips and advice with us.

Recently I have read lots of articles with quirky tips on how to save energy, reduce costs etc. While they are all very commendable I’m sure, at It’s Eco Time we believe that, to make a sustainable difference and to green up your lifestyle on a permanent basis, the changes you make need to be embedded into your home environment. For instance I read a recommendation from someone who said that to reduce the water consumption in her shower she put the radio on and only let the water flow for the duration of one song. I’m sure this works but how to you get your husband and kids to sign up for this? Isn’t it better to invest a small amount of money in a water saving showerhead and forget about the issue? Likewise, making a stand and turning the heat way down, then suggesting everyone wears an extra sweater can become confrontational within the family. Purchasing a programmable thermostat means you can programme your heat or air, not only for different times of the day but for different days of the week. The advantage of this is that once installed you can forget the issue and still be saving money on your fuel bills. At It’s Eco Time we believe there should be no “pain” involved it leading a healthy green lifestyle - only gain.

Our Governments maintain they are committed to developing green industries and projects over the next few years.  This is certainly good news! However, I feel that the most efficient and effective way to make a difference in the short term is for us to take individual responsibility for day to day actions and develop individual green programmes for our home and family. For instance, recycling programs are a patchwork of different rules and regulations for each city, town or district. Neighboring areas do not collect the same articles in the same way, and we often hear reports of a build up of recycled material having to be used for landfill as there are no buyers for it. Individually we can help be trying to reduce the NEED to recycle. Just because containers and packaging can be recycled does not make it the greenest option.  We should be looking for reusable items or reduced packaging. Composting is another way we can make a big difference.  It is estimated that food and garden waste make up around 30% of the waste stream in the US, so reducing this would have a marked impact on landfills.  Energy saving in the home not only has an environmental impact but is cost effective as well. Installing programmable thermostats,  LEDs and energy saving power strips will not only reduce your energy comsumption but your utility bill as well. There is a great deal of satisfaction to be gained from managing your own lifestyle and developing green practices that work for you and your family.

We have just returned from another dinner party that, in my opinion, was spoiled by the excessive heat in the hosts house. On the drive home I was complaining about this and it struck me how often this happens and how much energy and money is wasted. When we invite guests for the evening or have people staying over the holidays we very often don’t adjust the central heating, yet we have spent hours cooking which produces additional heat, we may light fires for ambience, more heat! and then the fact there are additional people in confined spaces adds to the increased temperature of the house. Think about how often this happens. Then think of what happens when someone does decide that it’s very warm, we open a door or window!!!
I have decided to be pro active and adjust my heating the next time I am expecting guests and hope to make everyone more comfortable by doing so. In our home in Arizona we have installed programmable thermostats which allow us to controll the temperature to suit our needs at different times of the day and actually on different days of the week as well. This has actually saved us 20% - 30% on our energy bills over the last year. You can see more information on these thermostats if you visit www.itsecotime.com