Here are a few simple suggestsions you can incorporate into your home and lifestyle, in order to save lots of money and energy right now. Many of these suggested tools are affordable, easy to install, simple to use, and have excellent return on investment potential. Additionally, as many government programs, utility companies and EnergyStar partners offer great incentives and rebates for switching to these products, there hasn’t been a better time to start saving than now! Energy Efficient Lighting Replacing your incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient lights such as Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs is one of the easiest ways to start saving money. EnergyStar-rated CFLs in particular will save you money because they use 75% less energy and last 6 to 12 times longer than traditional bulbs. In fact, replacing your 5 most frequently used bulbs with EnergyStar-rated CFLs can save you more than $65 a year in energy costs; or $50 per lifespan of a CFL bulb (calculation based on 15-watt CFL, 10,000-hour lifespan, and $0.0898 per kWh).Better still, did you know that if every US household makes its next lightbulb an Energy Star-rated CFL, we will save more than $800 million on our national energy bill and 8.4 billion kWh of energy (that’s enough to power over 808,000 homes for one year – about the number of homes in Boston, Denver, and San Francisco combined)! In pollution terms, it is like removing the pollution of 1.2 million cars for one year! Cost: Approximately $2.50 to $5 per bulb Payback: Around 3 to 7.5 months, depending on usage and your electric rate (cost per kWh) Savings: Provided ALL household light fixtures are energy-efficient: per year = $117; 10-year savings = $1861* Low Flow Fixtures Low flow fixtures such as low flow faucets aerators and low flow showerheads save you water, energy and money by limiting the volume of water that flow through them. As such, by switching from standard showerheads (2.5 gpm) to low flow showerheads (1.0 gpm to 1.5 gpm), you can easily save 7,300 gallons of water (approximately 10% to 60% off your current consumption); in terms of combined water and energy savings, that equals to about $91 for natural gas and $143 for electric (calculation based on 4-person family using 1.5 gpm showerhead, FEMP/DOE data, and average water rate of $4/1000 gallons). Cost: Approximately: low flow faucet aerator = $1 to $3.50; low flow showerhead = $10 to $68 Payback: For aerators, immediate; for showerheads, 2+ months, depending on the gpm Savings: Niagara Conservation 1.5 gpm 2915CH low flow showerhead, for example:• Electric Water Heat = 949 kWh + 7,300 gal H2O = $143 (per year)• Gas Water Heat = 52 therms + 7,300 gal H2O = $91 (per year) Smart Power Strips Electrical devices consume power even when they’re switched off. In fact, this “phantom” use of power makes up 40% of your total home (or 73% of your total office) energy usage. But what’s the alternative to crawling underneath the desk(s) to unplug your things each time? Or, replacing all of your old appliances EnergyStar-rated ones? It’s called the smart power strip.Also known as the energy saving power strip, this smart little gadget automatically cuts off the power supply from the power source when devices are shut off, while still supplying power to the devices that you always need on (e.g., Internet phone, cable modem, DVR). Best of all, in addition to costing you no more than a standard power strip, a smart power strip will give you surge protection and save you about $15 to $20 per month on your energy bill! Cost: Approximately $20 to $100 Payback: For a smart power strip around $35, as little as 6 weeks Savings: According to treehugger.com, per year = $178; 10-year savings = $2834* Weatherstripping Weatherstripping literally refers to the narrow strip of material that covers the joint of a door or window to exclude the cold; but often times it actually refers to the act of sealing air leaks, drafts, dust and moisture from under and around doors, windows, and electrical outlets on exterior walls as well as air ducts and chimneys. And while it takes some time for you to caulk and seal your entire home, the total effects in terms of money savings are dramatic and long-lasting.According to the Environmental Protection Agency, home weatherization may cost $1000 but will potentially save $300 to $500 per year. That amount is equal to 20% of your total heating & cooling bill or 10% of your total energy bill (based on a 3-bedroom house with insulation in walls, attic, among other areas and spaces). As a matter of fact, if you insulate your home on or before 12/31/2010, you can earn a tax credit up to $1,500! Cost: Approximately: door = $2.50 to $15; window = $2 to $23; electrical outlet = $0.10 to $5; air duct done yourself = $10 to $20; air duct done professionally = $300 to $1000; chimney = $45 Payback: About 2 to 3 years, depending on how well you weatherstrip all of your doors, windows, electrical outlets, air ducts, chimneys and any other sources for drafts or unwanted air seepage Savings: $300 to $500 per year, provided your entire home is properly caulked and sealed; cannot estimate savings from individual sealing fixes (epa.gov) Motion Sensors Motion sensors (Motion Sensing Wall Switches or Occupancy Sensors) are ideal for controlling lights that have unpredictable usage and could be accidentally left on for prolonged periods of time. In addition to the typical commercial applications, they can be used in home entryways, bathrooms, closets, basements, attics, garage and porches to save money. Motion sensors are convenient because they eliminate the need for anyone to have to remember to turn anything off as they leave a room or space.In a commercial setting, motions sensors can save you 13% to 90%, depending on the type of room or area of installation. In a residential setting, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy estimates lighting costs adds up to about 10% of total household energy costs (annual average); that means, for example, at $0.0898 per kWh, a $50 motion sensor will pay for itself by saving around 560 kWh over 9 months (based on bulbs that use 2 kWh per day). Cost: Approximately $50 to $100; most porch lights have built-in sensors Payback: 6 months to 1 year, depending on your electricity rate Savings: Residential: Up to 10% of your entire monthly energy bill Commercial: 13% to 90% Programmable Thermostats High-tech programmable thermostats give you the flexibility to preset temperatures based on criteria such as day of week, time of day, and occupancy. That means, you can set a different temperature for a particular day or range of days; any particular time of day; or an occupied or unoccupied space. Programmable thermostats are convenient because you don’t have to remember to adjust or turn off anything (e.g., before going to bed at night or on a long vacation), once the temperature settings are locked in. Best of all, some utility companies offer free installation (e.g., in exchange for letting them scale back your air conditioner use in the on hot summer days) and/or rebates, so check with them for great incentives to get started today. Cost: Approximately $40 to $125 Payback: About one year, assuming thermostat controls heat and air conditioning, and depending on where you live (climate and electricity rate) and personal preference (average set temperature during the hottest and coldest months) Savings: Depending on your electricity rate and climate (per year): • Low kWh but need lots of heat (e.g., Fargo, ND) = $115• High kWh and need lots of cooling (e.g., Las Vegas, NV) = $75 Drain Water Heat Recovery System Did you know that 90% of the energy used to heat water goes down the drain? The good news: by installing a Drain Water Heat Recovery system in your home, you can recycle 60% of the energy that would otherwise be wasted, and reduce your water heating bills by 25% to 40% without altering your lifestyle. A non-storage DWHR is basically a copper heat exchanger that replaces part of your existing vertical shower drainage pipe; as you shower, the heat from the outgoing drain water preheats the freshwater supply that feeds into your water heater, thus saving you water heating bills. Additionally, DWHR systems can be applied to industrial or commercial uses to preheat or precool large quantity of water or other liquids. Better still, some utility companies   offer rebates for those who install, so check with your local company to see if they are offering any incentives. Cost: Approximately $625 to $995, plus $100 for professional installation (optional) Payback: About 2 to 5 years at a rate of return of 15% to 50% per year — more specifically, it’s closer to 2 years, if you use electricity to heat water; and it’s closer to 5 years, if you use natural gas to heat water Savings: If your natural gas rate is fairly high  , then around $120 per year * Including annual 10% fuel inflation
Buy Smart Power Strips to save on electricity at Conservation Mart. A Smart Power Strip stop wastage of power when appliances are not in use by monitoring your power usage.

 
DATELINE: SOUTH BOSTON, MA…
Boston area residents know that summer isn’t over yet but many are singing the mid-summer blues as they face ever-increasing energy costs, including the cost of keeping cool.
 
John Wood, founder and CEO of Hub Plumbing & Mechanical, offers some cost-effective ways to reduce the load on your air conditioner. Notes Wood, “Some of the steps that you can take now will not only help curb your current electric bill but will also help control your heating costs this winter.”
 
Don’t make your air conditioner work harder than it has to  – warm air entering through cracks around window and door frames, electrical outlets, and attic doors all keep your air conditioner’s compressor running longer, costing you more.
 
Taking the following steps now will help reduce both air conditioning and heating costs:
·                Check for air leaks around doors and windows
·                Use caulk, insulation, or weather stripping to seal air leaks to reduce drafts
·                Add attic insulation
·                Insulate duct work
 
Year round energy savings can be achieved with the use of a programmable thermostats for cooling and heating. An empty house or apartment doesn’t need to be kept cool all day. Even many newer window air conditioners have timers that can be set to cool things down in time for your arrival home from work.
 
Ceiling fans should also be used year round. During warm weather the ceiling fan should be set to turn in a counter-clockwise direction. The breeze created by this airflow creates a wind-chill effect that makes you feel cooler.
 
When it’s hot outside, don’t create more heat inside:
·                Minimize the use of heat producing appliances during the hottest part of the day, such as a clothes dryer or dish washer
·                When cooking use an outdoor grill, a microwave, or a toaster oven to avoid heating up the kitchen by turning on a full sized oven
·                Minimize the use of heat producing light bulbs –replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents that produce less heat
·                Close shades, blinds, or drapes on windows that in are in full sunlight
 
Both central air conditioning systems and individual room air conditioners need to be kept in good running condition for maximum efficiency:
·                Change or clean filters at least once a month
·                Keep coils clean and dust free
·                Make sure you have a proper sized unit – a unit that is too big lowers the temperature without running long enough to reduce the humidity to a comfortable level resulting in a cold clammy feeling
Consider investing in a central air conditioning system if a number of your individual air conditioning units need replacing. A central air conditioning system is more expensive to purchase up front but it can result in lower energy costs over time.
 
About Hub Plumbing & Mechanical
Hub Plumbing & Mechanical was established in 1999 and now includes a staff of 16 full time employees. This full service plumbing company assists residential and commercial customers with code violations, sewer/drain clogs, garbage disposals, water heaters, water filtration, steam and hot water boilers, thermostats, leaky faucets, tub valves, gas pipes, appliance installation, outside hose faucets, and residential HVAC service.
 
Hub Plumbing and Mechanical’s signature Red Carpet service features experienced teams of licensed technicians who not only protect your floors with a red carpet, but also cover their work boots with stain-resistant booties, wear ID badges for security purposes, and arrive on time and smartly dressed in crisp, clean uniforms. Imagine actually looking forward to a visit from your plumber!
 
Hub Plumbing & Mechanical was recently featured in a new book entitled “The Celebrity Experience” where Hub Plumbing & Mechanical’s Red Carpet Service was cited as an example of how it’s possible to create faithful life long customers by showering them with treatment usually reserved for celebrities.
 
The company does not charge by the hour, but by the specific project. Hub Plumbing & Mechanical is available 24 hours a day and 7 seven days a week to provide immediate access and peace of mind. Dedicated 2nd and 3rd shift night dispatchers internally handle all calls at Hub Plumbing & Mechanical, not an answering service. The difference between the two enables Hub Plumbing & Mechanical to get real-time info on the customer 24/7 to expedite the call as efficiently as possible.
 
Hub Plumbing & Mechanical Inc. is located at 70 Old Colony Avenue in South Boston, MA 02127. For more information about Hub Plumbing & Mechanical call 1-866-HUBPLUMBING (482-7586), email services@hubplumbing.com, or visit www.hubplumbing.com.
 
 
 

 
DATELINE: SOUTH BOSTON, MA…
Boston area residents know that summer isn’t over yet but many are singing the mid-summer blues as they face ever-increasing energy costs, including the cost of keeping cool.
 
John Wood, founder and CEO of Hub Plumbing & Mechanical, offers some cost-effective ways to reduce the load on your air conditioner. Notes Wood, “Some of the steps that you can take now will not only help curb your current electric bill but will also help control your heating costs this winter.”
 
Don’t make your air conditioner work harder than it has to  – warm air entering through cracks around window and door frames, electrical outlets, and attic doors all keep your air conditioner’s compressor running longer, costing you more.
 
Taking the following steps now will help reduce both air conditioning and heating costs:
·                Check for air leaks around doors and windows
·                Use caulk, insulation, or weather stripping to seal air leaks to reduce drafts
·                Add attic insulation
·                Insulate duct work
 
Year round energy savings can be achieved with the use of a programmable thermostats for cooling and heating. An empty house or apartment doesn’t need to be kept cool all day. Even many newer window air conditioners have timers that can be set to cool things down in time for your arrival home from work.
 
Ceiling fans should also be used year round. During warm weather the ceiling fan should be set to turn in a counter-clockwise direction. The breeze created by this airflow creates a wind-chill effect that makes you feel cooler.
 
When it’s hot outside, don’t create more heat inside:
·                Minimize the use of heat producing appliances during the hottest part of the day, such as a clothes dryer or dish washer
·                When cooking use an outdoor grill, a microwave, or a toaster oven to avoid heating up the kitchen by turning on a full sized oven
·                Minimize the use of heat producing light bulbs –replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents that produce less heat
·                Close shades, blinds, or drapes on windows that in are in full sunlight
 
Both central air conditioning systems and individual room air conditioners need to be kept in good running condition for maximum efficiency:
·                Change or clean filters at least once a month
·                Keep coils clean and dust free
·                Make sure you have a proper sized unit – a unit that is too big lowers the temperature without running long enough to reduce the humidity to a comfortable level resulting in a cold clammy feeling
Consider investing in a central air conditioning system if a number of your individual air conditioning units need replacing. A central air conditioning system is more expensive to purchase up front but it can result in lower energy costs over time.
 
About Hub Plumbing & Mechanical
Hub Plumbing & Mechanical was established in 1999 and now includes a staff of 16 full time employees. This full service plumbing company assists residential and commercial customers with code violations, sewer/drain clogs, garbage disposals, water heaters, water filtration, steam and hot water boilers, thermostats, leaky faucets, tub valves, gas pipes, appliance installation, outside hose faucets, and residential HVAC service.
 
Hub Plumbing and Mechanical’s signature Red Carpet service features experienced teams of licensed technicians who not only protect your floors with a red carpet, but also cover their work boots with stain-resistant booties, wear ID badges for security purposes, and arrive on time and smartly dressed in crisp, clean uniforms. Imagine actually looking forward to a visit from your plumber!
 
Hub Plumbing & Mechanical was recently featured in a new book entitled “The Celebrity Experience” where Hub Plumbing & Mechanical’s Red Carpet Service was cited as an example of how it’s possible to create faithful life long customers by showering them with treatment usually reserved for celebrities.
 
The company does not charge by the hour, but by the specific project. Hub Plumbing & Mechanical is available 24 hours a day and 7 seven days a week to provide immediate access and peace of mind. Dedicated 2nd and 3rd shift night dispatchers internally handle all calls at Hub Plumbing & Mechanical, not an answering service. The difference between the two enables Hub Plumbing & Mechanical to get real-time info on the customer 24/7 to expedite the call as efficiently as possible.
 
Hub Plumbing & Mechanical Inc. is located at 70 Old Colony Avenue in South Boston, MA 02127. For more information about Hub Plumbing & Mechanical call 1-866-HUBPLUMBING (482-7586), email services@hubplumbing.com, or visit www.hubplumbing.com.
 
 
 

Thanks to the recent meltdown of the financial sector both in the UK and worldwide, 2009 is not shaping up well to be a good year for many. So why not kick sand in the face of the purveyors of doom and gloom and do something in your life that will make you feel good about yourself and has the added benefit of saving you money and reducing carbon emissions? We can all save energy in our homes with very little expense or effort. There are the no-brainers, such as turning off lights when you leave a room and turning the thermostat down a couple of notches and putting on a jumper. But what we’re looking at here is energy saving products. There are an ever increasing number of innovative new products out there that are designed to make energy saving easy. So when you’ve done insulating the loft and renewing the boiler, why not take a look at some of these little beauties. Electricity monitors. There are basically two types of electricity monitors available: wireless and “plug-in” models. The idea of both is simply to allow you to make you more aware of you energy use so that you can alter your energy consuming behaviour accordingly. I would suggest these are a great place to start on your energy saving adventure as they can help you measure the effect of new energy saving products as you introduce them. Standby Savers Standby on TV, audio and PC systems can consume an awful lot of electricity even when the equipment is out of use. Thankfully there are a whole host of standby saving products out there to help. Most are simple “plug and play” type affairs that are controlled by automatically sensing when a machine is shutting down/starting up. TV and audio offerings usually pick up the signal from your existing remote control. Either way, when you power down in the normal way, these eco gadgets will do the rest for you ensuring that the kit is switched off at the socket when not in use and automatically powered up when it is.  Put the kettle on All too often when making a cuppa we boil far more water than is required – this is a waste of energy. Eco kettles make it easy to boil just the right amount of water for the number of cups that you require. This can reduce your cuppa making energy consumption by a third and reduces time wasted waiting for the kettle to boil as well.  Reduce Hot Water Use It takes energy to heat water up – so it makes sense not to waste it! Consider using eco-balls in the washing machine instead of detergent. They’re kinder to the environment and allow you to wash at a lower temperature. Also, if you have a shower hog in your household I would recommend the acquisition of  a shower timer. For very little cost you can have a frog, duck or water drop shaped timer on the shower wall that will beep at when your preset time is up! Energy Saving Bulbs Energy saving light bulbs use about 80% less energy than conventional bulbs. They are a little more expensive, but reassure yourself that due to their vastly extended life time and cheaper running costs they are worth the investment. So there we have a quick run down of just a small selection of vast array of energy saving products available. Make 2009 a year to remember for the right reasons, and feel good about saving energy and money.  
Jeff J endorses Chris Tyrrell who writes for Ecofreak, an environmentally friendly online shop specialising in energy saving products to help reduce your energy usage and costs. Visit the website for more details.

Here are a few simple suggestsions you can incorporate into your home and lifestyle, in order to save lots of money and energy right now. Many of these suggested tools are affordable, easy to install, simple to use, and have excellent return on investment potential. Additionally, as many government programs, utility companies and EnergyStar partners offer great incentives and rebates for switching to these products, there hasn’t been a better time to start saving than now! Energy Efficient Lighting Replacing your incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient lights such as Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs is one of the easiest ways to start saving money. EnergyStar-rated CFLs in particular will save you money because they use 75% less energy and last 6 to 12 times longer than traditional bulbs. In fact, replacing your 5 most frequently used bulbs with EnergyStar-rated CFLs can save you more than $65 a year in energy costs; or $50 per lifespan of a CFL bulb (calculation based on 15-watt CFL, 10,000-hour lifespan, and $0.0898 per kWh).Better still, did you know that if every US household makes its next lightbulb an Energy Star-rated CFL, we will save more than $800 million on our national energy bill and 8.4 billion kWh of energy (that’s enough to power over 808,000 homes for one year – about the number of homes in Boston, Denver, and San Francisco combined)! In pollution terms, it is like removing the pollution of 1.2 million cars for one year! Cost: Approximately $2.50 to $5 per bulb Payback: Around 3 to 7.5 months, depending on usage and your electric rate (cost per kWh) Savings: Provided ALL household light fixtures are energy-efficient: per year = $117; 10-year savings = $1861* Low Flow Fixtures Low flow fixtures such as low flow faucets aerators and low flow showerheads save you water, energy and money by limiting the volume of water that flow through them. As such, by switching from standard showerheads (2.5 gpm) to low flow showerheads (1.0 gpm to 1.5 gpm), you can easily save 7,300 gallons of water (approximately 10% to 60% off your current consumption); in terms of combined water and energy savings, that equals to about $91 for natural gas and $143 for electric (calculation based on 4-person family using 1.5 gpm showerhead, FEMP/DOE data, and average water rate of $4/1000 gallons). Cost: Approximately: low flow faucet aerator = $1 to $3.50; low flow showerhead = $10 to $68 Payback: For aerators, immediate; for showerheads, 2+ months, depending on the gpm Savings: Niagara Conservation 1.5 gpm 2915CH low flow showerhead, for example:• Electric Water Heat = 949 kWh + 7,300 gal H2O = $143 (per year)• Gas Water Heat = 52 therms + 7,300 gal H2O = $91 (per year) Smart Power Strips Electrical devices consume power even when they’re switched off. In fact, this “phantom” use of power makes up 40% of your total home (or 73% of your total office) energy usage. But what’s the alternative to crawling underneath the desk(s) to unplug your things each time? Or, replacing all of your old appliances EnergyStar-rated ones? It’s called the smart power strip.Also known as the energy saving power strip, this smart little gadget automatically cuts off the power supply from the power source when devices are shut off, while still supplying power to the devices that you always need on (e.g., Internet phone, cable modem, DVR). Best of all, in addition to costing you no more than a standard power strip, a smart power strip will give you surge protection and save you about $15 to $20 per month on your energy bill! Cost: Approximately $20 to $100 Payback: For a smart power strip around $35, as little as 6 weeks Savings: According to treehugger.com, per year = $178; 10-year savings = $2834* Weatherstripping Weatherstripping literally refers to the narrow strip of material that covers the joint of a door or window to exclude the cold; but often times it actually refers to the act of sealing air leaks, drafts, dust and moisture from under and around doors, windows, and electrical outlets on exterior walls as well as air ducts and chimneys. And while it takes some time for you to caulk and seal your entire home, the total effects in terms of money savings are dramatic and long-lasting.According to the Environmental Protection Agency, home weatherization may cost $1000 but will potentially save $300 to $500 per year. That amount is equal to 20% of your total heating & cooling bill or 10% of your total energy bill (based on a 3-bedroom house with insulation in walls, attic, among other areas and spaces). As a matter of fact, if you insulate your home on or before 12/31/2010, you can earn a tax credit up to $1,500! Cost: Approximately: door = $2.50 to $15; window = $2 to $23; electrical outlet = $0.10 to $5; air duct done yourself = $10 to $20; air duct done professionally = $300 to $1000; chimney = $45 Payback: About 2 to 3 years, depending on how well you weatherstrip all of your doors, windows, electrical outlets, air ducts, chimneys and any other sources for drafts or unwanted air seepage Savings: $300 to $500 per year, provided your entire home is properly caulked and sealed; cannot estimate savings from individual sealing fixes (epa.gov) Motion Sensors Motion sensors (Motion Sensing Wall Switches or Occupancy Sensors) are ideal for controlling lights that have unpredictable usage and could be accidentally left on for prolonged periods of time. In addition to the typical commercial applications, they can be used in home entryways, bathrooms, closets, basements, attics, garage and porches to save money. Motion sensors are convenient because they eliminate the need for anyone to have to remember to turn anything off as they leave a room or space.In a commercial setting, motions sensors can save you 13% to 90%, depending on the type of room or area of installation. In a residential setting, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy estimates lighting costs adds up to about 10% of total household energy costs (annual average); that means, for example, at $0.0898 per kWh, a $50 motion sensor will pay for itself by saving around 560 kWh over 9 months (based on bulbs that use 2 kWh per day). Cost: Approximately $50 to $100; most porch lights have built-in sensors Payback: 6 months to 1 year, depending on your electricity rate Savings: Residential: Up to 10% of your entire monthly energy bill Commercial: 13% to 90% Programmable Thermostats High-tech programmable thermostats give you the flexibility to preset temperatures based on criteria such as day of week, time of day, and occupancy. That means, you can set a different temperature for a particular day or range of days; any particular time of day; or an occupied or unoccupied space. Programmable thermostats are convenient because you don’t have to remember to adjust or turn off anything (e.g., before going to bed at night or on a long vacation), once the temperature settings are locked in. Best of all, some utility companies offer free installation (e.g., in exchange for letting them scale back your air conditioner use in the on hot summer days) and/or rebates, so check with them for great incentives to get started today. Cost: Approximately $40 to $125 Payback: About one year, assuming thermostat controls heat and air conditioning, and depending on where you live (climate and electricity rate) and personal preference (average set temperature during the hottest and coldest months) Savings: Depending on your electricity rate and climate (per year): • Low kWh but need lots of heat (e.g., Fargo, ND) = $115• High kWh and need lots of cooling (e.g., Las Vegas, NV) = $75 Drain Water Heat Recovery System Did you know that 90% of the energy used to heat water goes down the drain? The good news: by installing a Drain Water Heat Recovery system in your home, you can recycle 60% of the energy that would otherwise be wasted, and reduce your water heating bills by 25% to 40% without altering your lifestyle. A non-storage DWHR is basically a copper heat exchanger that replaces part of your existing vertical shower drainage pipe; as you shower, the heat from the outgoing drain water preheats the freshwater supply that feeds into your water heater, thus saving you water heating bills. Additionally, DWHR systems can be applied to industrial or commercial uses to preheat or precool large quantity of water or other liquids. Better still, some utility companies   offer rebates for those who install, so check with your local company to see if they are offering any incentives. Cost: Approximately $625 to $995, plus $100 for professional installation (optional) Payback: About 2 to 5 years at a rate of return of 15% to 50% per year — more specifically, it’s closer to 2 years, if you use electricity to heat water; and it’s closer to 5 years, if you use natural gas to heat water Savings: If your natural gas rate is fairly high  , then around $120 per year * Including annual 10% fuel inflation
Buy Smart Power Strips to save on electricity at Conservation Mart. A Smart Power Strip stop wastage of power when appliances are not in use by monitoring your power usage.