The Hottest Month

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www.GivingGrinch.com

Volume 1, Issue 4

Editor: Shreyas Nanavati

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August 2008: The Hottest Month

With energy prices on the raise, the following stat may no longer surprise you – the average family spends over $2000 a year on home utility bills. What may surprise you is that a large portion of energy usage is wasted. Here is a “best of” list for quick, easy, NO COST solutions to stretch your energy dollar.

Climate control (heating and cooling) accounts for 45% of a typical utility bill.

• AC: Setting your thermostat to a colder than normal setting will not cool your home any quicker. The excessive cooling will result in unnecessary expenses.
• AC: Replace air filters once every three months. Dust and dirt can block airflow which forces heating and cooling systems to work harder increasing operating costs by 10%. Ok, there’s a cost associated with this, but it’s a GivingGrinch no-brainer.
• AC: Don’t place lamps or TV sets near your AC thermostat. The thermostat picks up the isolated heat from these devices causing the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
• Fan: A fan will create a wind chill effect allowing you to raise the thermostat about 4 degrees without reducing comfort.
• Vent: Turn off kitchen, bath and laundry room vent fans within 20 minutes of use to avoid sucking out the climate controlled air in your home.
• Space: Close unoccupied rooms and shut off the vents in areas that do not require heating/cooling.
• Windows: During winter nights, close drapes and blinds to limit heat loss; over summer days do the same to prevent the sun from heating your home.

Appliances & Electronics make up 20% of your home energy consumption. Refrigerators, washers and dryers are tops in consumption.

• Dishwasher: Cold wash and air dry dishes instead of using the heat/dry cycle.
• Washer/Dishwasher: Wash only full loads of dishes/cloths.
• Washer: Wash with cold water. Up to 90% of the energy used for washing clothes can come from heating the water. Today’s detergents work just as well in cold as they do in warm water.
• Dryer: Clean out the lint filter after each drying cycle.
• Dryer: If cloths don’t dry in one cycle, make sure the vent (back of machine) is clear of debris. Editor’s note: I found an abandoned bird nest blocking air flow from my vent.
• Dryer: Don’t over dry your cloths. Use the cool-down cycle to finish drying with residual heat. Or, air dry your cloths.
• Refrigerator: Maximum efficiency occurs between 37 - 40 degrees for refrigerators and 0-5 degrees for freezers.
• Refrigerator: Do not leave door open, up to 1/3 of the cold air can escape every time you open the door.
• Oven: Cooking temperatures can drop as much as 50 degrees ever time the over door is opened.
• Cooking: Use small appliances, like water boilers, crock pots, toaster ovens and microwaves to save electricity/gas when cooking.
• Electronics: Electronics draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. This drain can add up. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while tuned off. Use a power strip to avoid individual plugging/unplugging.

Water heating is the third largest expense accounting for 13% of your utility bill.

• Shower: If the hottest setting in your shower is uncomfortably hot you’re wasting money. Play with the settings and find your tipping point; 115-120 degrees is idea for a nice, hot shower.
• Shower: Cut down daily shower time from 15 to 10 minutes.
• Washer: Wash cloths in cold water (see above)
• Water Heater: Many websites suggested putting an insulation coat around your water heater to reduce heat loss. This is generally the case with older water heaters. Newer tanks do not require insulation. A quick test – if your water heater is not warm to the touch you do not need additional insulation.

Lighting makes up 11% of home energy bills.

• Use task lighting to target work and leisure activities
• Turn lights off in rooms that are not in use
• Use a timer to light a single bulb lamp for a safety light when not at home

Sources: 2005 Buildings Energy Data Book, Table 4.2.1., 2003 Energy Cost Data; U.S. Department of Energy

Question of the Month:

Is it cheaper to turn the air conditioning off during the day and let it run full blast for a few hours to cool the house when I get home from work, or to let it run during the day at a slightly warmer setting?

“Mr. Electricity,” Michael Bluejay says, “yes.”

Leaving the AC on at a higher temperature while you're away does not use less energy than turning it on when you get home. Why? Heat goes to where it's not. With the AC off, your house will absorb heat from outside, but at some point it will be so hot it can't absorb any more heat. When you come home and turn the AC on it has to remove the accumulated heat once. If the AC is on when you're gone, then your house is constantly absorbing heat because your AC is constantly cooling down the house.

You can learn more by visiting his site: http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/cooling.html.

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GivingGrinch.com Newsletter Updates

June 2008: Tips for Air Travel. A few people have asked me where they can find information on airline fees. Here it the link from last month’s newsletter to RickSeaney.com: http://rickseaney.com/domestic-airline-fee-chart/

July 2008: Hypermiling. I know lead foots, it’s not easy. Don’t give up; the benefits extend beyond your pocket book.

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Your Suggestions: Keep them coming: advice@givinggrinch.com. You can find the master list of GivingGrinch.com suggestions on this page: http://www.givinggrinch.com/2.html

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Physiological (Basic needs - food, warmth, water and other necessities critical to our survival).

• Clothing: If you have a choice, choose garments that do not require dry cleaning and save the added cost and nuisance. Suggested by Patricia in San Antonio.

Safety (Our desire for a predictable, orderly world secure from injustice and uncertainty).

• Build a secondary income stream to keep you above water in case of job loss. Realtor, investment advisor, landscaping, “handy man”, jobs you can do, and will enjoy doing on part-time, while also having a full-time job. Suggested by Kristin in Michigan.

• It takes money to save money. Have six months cash to cover expenses in the case of job loss or personal emergencies and you gain the ability to raise your deductable to reduce costs on other necessities like auto or health insurance. S. Nanavati,GivingGrinch.com.

Social (Our desire for belonging and acceptance).

• Easy Upgrade: Car rental agencies rarely stock “economy” sized cars even though they offer them to be price competitive. If you’re travelling light, increase your odds of an upgrade by renting an economy sized car. Suggestion from Walter in Houston, TX.

• Inquire about “kids eat for free” days at your local restaurants. Suggested by Pamela in Houston, TX.

Water Consumption

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BudgetFree for Life!
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A Giving Grinch Commentary: Give back to Mother Nature (and your wallet)

I never understood the stigma against tap water. I grew up drinking from a faucet, most of us did. Today people pass up drinking fountains for a $2 bottle of… Dennis Miller once noted “Evian spelt backwards is Naïve,” and I think he was onto something.

Last year, in America alone, we spent over $11 billion on bottled water. What is the cost of this once free resource? According to http://www.thegreenguide.com/, it costs 1.5 million barrels of oil annually to produce the over one million bottles of water we consume daily takes and every year over 22 billion empty plastic bottles wind up in the trash.

Don’t misunderstand; I grew up in a corner of God’s country free of industry and pollution and water tasted like water should. These days I live a large metropolitan area and the tap water tastes of the urban environment. Still, there are win-win solutions. Consider home filtration products, like PUR, Brita or your refrigerator water filter (replace it annually and the water tastes great). Not only is it a cheaper solution for you, it is better for environment.

This just in, research has proven that we really don’t need to drink 8 glasses of water a day. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/health/article3574829.ece

I’m not trying to be preachy; I drink bottled water from time to time, it has its time and place, but hopefully this column makes financial and environmental cents of the matter.

And now, some of your suggestions…

Physiological Tips

• Use a power strip to turn your devices on/off when not in use. Suggested by Shefali in NYC!
• Close walk-in closet and bathroom doors when heating/cooling rooms. Suggested by Sonali in Bangkok!
• Let dishes in the dishwasher air dry instead of heat dry. Suggested by Sonali in Bangkok!
• Keep your freezer full (an empty freezer uses more energy to remain cold than a full one. Suggested by Kaen in Bangkok!
• Shop at discount, outlet or big box (Costco, Sam's) stores for your basic clothing needs (T-shirts, socks, etc). Submitted by Shefali in NYC!
• Purchase non-perishable items in bulk (or when on special). Suggested by Clarence in NYC!
• Use mail-order drug providers (ExpressScripts, MedCo) for routine prescription refills. Submitted by Sonali in Bangkok!

Safety Tips

• Study your employers benefits, many offer insurance (life, disability, etc) up to one year's salary (or longer) for a deeply reduced fee. Submitted by Sonali in Bangkok!
• Request periodic job reviews to know how you stand with your employer. Submitted by Shefali in NYC!
• If your company is experiencing trouble, stay ahead of the game by networking, looking for alternative employment opportunities. Submitted by Sonali in Bangkok!

Social Tips

• Make your own gifts (jams, jewelry, knit-wear, etc)! Submitted by Sonali in Bangkok!
• If you have friends in common, go in on a gift together; usually you can give a nicer gift for less by splitting the cost. Suggested by Saheli in San Francisco!
• Visit your library to quench your reading, movie and music fix. Submitted by Clarence in NYC!
• Don’t shop to curb your stress – exercise instead. Submitted by Nick, NYC.
• Shop for trendy clothes during the off-season for a deep discount (winter clothes after Christmas, summer clothes in the Fall). Submitted by Sonali in Bangkok!