New Data SHow the Nest Thermostat Can Cut Your Heat Bill By Ten Percent

New Data Shows the Nest Thermostat Can Cut Your Heat Bill by 10 Percent

Chicago area residents interested in exploring this option can get in touch with me at Next Level Electrical

April Showers Bring Electric Storms

Follow these tips from NOAA and the American Red Cross to keep you and your home safe when tornadoes and severe thunderstorms come your way.

• Prepare for high winds by removing diseased and damaged trees or limbs.

• Listen to local news or National Weather Service broadcasts to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings.

• If in a mobile home, immediately head to a sturdy shelter or vehicle. Mobile homes, especially hallways and bathrooms, are not safe places to take shelter during tornadoes or other severe winds.

• Designate a family meeting place for shelter during and after a storm. If possible, go to your home’s basement, a small interior room, or under stairs on the lowest level. Also, have a battery-operated weather radio handy along with emergency supplies.

• Unplug your electronics. Avoid using electrical equipment and corded telephones.

• Remember that there is no safe place outside during a severe storm. If you are caught in a storm while on the road, the American Red Cross urges drivers to turn their headlights on, try to safely exit the roadway, and park. Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt on and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. If thunder and lightning is occurring, avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle.

• Move or secure lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or anything else that can be picked up by the wind and become a projectile.

• Stay safe after a storm. Remain indoors at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder. Also, stay away from downed power lines and avoid flooded areas; power lines could be submerged and still live with electricity. Report them to to your local electric co-op immediately.

Learn more about storm safety at http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/thunderstorms/.

3 Ways Conserving Energy Can Make You Money

I don't know about all cities/states, but in the Chicago area, if are into conserving energy, Com Ed, our electricity provider, will pay you for being good to the environment.  Granted its not a lot of money, but its free money.

3 Ways to Conserve Energy

Refrigerators are super hogs when it comes to energy conservation, so getting rid of an old clunky refrigerator can lighten your electrical load on the grid.  Com Ed will pick up your old refrigerator or freezer, and haul it away for FREE while paying you $35 for the privilege.

Have an energy efficient air conditioning or heating system installed and just like that...get a rebate! Replace your heating or air conditioning system in your home and receive $300-400 rebate.

Insulate your attic, air sealing, duct sealing, exterior walls or side walls and get a rebate of between $150-400!

To take advantage of these energy saving offers and if you're in Chicago or surrounding suburbs  call 855-433-2700, between 7am and 8pm.

What to Do if Your Power Goes Out

Who would have thought it?  Playing cards!  Yeah!  By candle light!

1.  Call your power company.  

2.  Dress in layers to stay warm.  Wear a knit hat and gloves. 

3.  Avoid opening your refrigerator and freezer as much as possible. Your food will stay cold for hours, if the door is left closed. 

4.  If you're cold, take a warm shower.  Your hot water heater, even if electric, will stay warm for a few hours. 

5.  Unplug some of your major appliances. When the power comes back on, a power surge could damage those appliances. 

6.  If you have a generator, do not connect it to your home's power system unless it has been properly installed and disconnects you from the main power grid when it is operating. 

7.  Check on your elderly neighbors. Make sure they are dressed appropriately warm. 

8.  If you have a regular wood stove or fireplace, you can use it for heat. Do not use kerosene heaters, BBQs, or any outdoor type heater inside. They can create dangerous gases, like carbon monoxide. 

9.  If you have to go out, drive carefully. Remember that traffic signals may be out during a power outage.

10. Flashlights over candles, they're safer.

11.  Grab a cooler from your basement or garage and fill it with ice from your freezer.  You can use this if the outage extends beyond 24 hours.

Quick and Dirty Tips Lower Winter Electric Bills

First and foremost, unplug the energy suckers! The TV, printer, computer, an empty freezer, coffee pot, etc.

Unplug these before you leave in the morning and especially when you go out of town.

Don't want to unplug?  Change your computer settings for sleep or hibernate mode when you're not using it for more than 30 minutes.  This can save almost as much energy as unplugging.  

Get a smart power strip that can turn stuff off for you.

Do energy heavy chores during off-peak hours.  Peak hours for laundry are usually 6-9am  and 3-9pm.   So do some late night laundry or try doing it over the weekend or on a holiday.

Buy energy friendly gadgets designed for making it easy for you to save money and to be kind to the environment.