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威望38

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vegetarcat

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省钱updated

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2006-10-19 13:15:00

大猫最近买了房子，本着能省则省的原则，读了很多如何持家节约的杂志和文章，现和大家分享

[此贴子已经被作者于2006-10-25 15:27:17编辑过]

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威望38

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2006-10-19 13:16:00

Energy Myths

by Evan Mills, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory staff scientist

Energy and energy savings myths get passed around surprisingly rapidly, often with little scrutiny. But an examination of 13 common myths reveals that they should be treated with some healthy skepticism. Sometimes the basic premise of the myth is correct, but the energy savings are much smaller than people realize. In other cases, the myth is based on factors that were once true but have been subsequently resolved through better design or manufacturing of products. In all cases, the bottom line is that you should always think critically when you hear a "tip" on how to save energy–and dig a little deeper to separate the myths from the facts.

Myth: Buying an efficient air conditioner or furnace will automatically reduce my energy bill.

This is true to some extent, but you won't realize all the possible savings if the equipment is not sized or installed properly. Studies have shown that typical air conditioner and duct systems are improperly installed, wasting one-third or more of the energy used by the air conditioner. New and replacement equipment (and ducts) need to be properly designed and installed to realize all the possible savings. The same caveats about proper installation hold true for insulation, windows, and many other energy efficiency upgrades.

Myth: Energy efficiency and energy conservation are one and the same thing.

Well-intentioned information campaigns during the oil crises of the 1970s created a lot of confusion about how to save energy and even about how to talk about saving energy. Energy efficiency means getting the same job done while using less energy. This could be lighting a room, cooling a house, or refrigerating some vegetables. The things made possible by using energy–such as illumination, comfort, or food preservation--are sometimes called energy services.

Energy conservation, on the other hand, means reducing the level of services, such as reducing lighting or comfort, or turning up the temperature of your fridge. Reducing service levels (conservation) does not necessarily mean sacrifice, however. For example, many spaces are overlit by current-day standards, many water heater temperatures are set too high, and so on. Consumers have the option of improving energy efficiency (such as through purchasing better appliances) and/or reducing service levels, but lowering the quality of life is not a prerequisite for reducing energy demand.

Myth: Duct tape is good for sealing ducts.

Unfortunately, laboratory research has concluded that duct tape has very low durability when used to seal ducts. On new installations, tape often falls off due to poor surface preparation, because ducts tend to be installed in dirty and dusty locations and conditions. On older systems, the tape falls off as it ages and the adhesive dries out and wrinkles. Instead of duct tape, seal ducts with mastic.

Myth: When my appliance is turned off, it's off.

We've found that most devices continue to consume power when they're switched off, sometimes as much power as when they're on! A surprisingly large number of electrical products--from air conditioners to VCRs--cannot be switched completely off without unplugging the device. These products draw power 24 hours a day, often without the knowledge of the consumer. We call this power consumption standby power. One easy remedy for this is to unplug appliances when you are out of the house–easily done if many items are grouped together on one power strip.

Myth: Cleaning refrigerator coils saves energy.

While this seems intuitively logical, and very small savings may indeed arise, efforts to actually measure this effect have typically come up empty-handed. Cleaning coils is probably a good idea, especially if you want to cut down on dust and dirt buildup in your kitchen, but don’t expect lower utility bills from it.

Myth: Installing foam gaskets in electrical outlets will significantly reduce air leakage.

Measurements have shown that less than 1% of a home's air leakage is due to outlets. However, a lot of little holes add up to one big hole. If you’re doing a thorough air sealing job, or you’re in a very big house with a lot of light switches, it wouldn’t hurt to install gaskets--but you might want to save this measure for last, in case you run out of time or energy.

Myth: Leaving lights, computers, and other appliances on uses less energy than turning them off and on repeatedly, and makes them last longer.

The small surge of power created when some devices are turned on is vastly smaller than the energy used by running the device when it's not needed. While it used to be the case that cycling appliances and lighting on and off significantly reduced their useful lifetimes, these problems have been largely overcome through better design. The rule of thumb today is: Turn off the lights when you leave the room, and use the power-management software that comes with your computer and monitor.

Myth: Energy efficiency increases the first cost of houses.

While efficient products usually cost more, in some cases there may be little or no added initial cost. Most efficient products are also premium products (in terms of features, warranty, and so on), so it's difficult to say that you are paying for the efficiency. In some instances, efficiency can even reduce first cost, as in the case where smaller, properly sized heating and cooling systems can be installed if they're highly efficient. When homes are designed well and include such measures as passive solar lighting and heating measures, optimum-value engineering, correctly sized HVAC systems, high-tech windows, and shorter duct runs, up-front building costs often turn out to be about the same as those of conventional homes, while operating costs are significantly lower. What’s more, high-performance homes offer huge savings in terms of occupant comfort and safety, and reduced litigation and callbacks.

Myth: Insulating the ceiling will just cause more heat to leak out of the windows.

Adding insulation to one part of a home won't increase the "pressure" on heat losses through other parts. However, it is true that poorly insulated areas will be the major losers of heat, and that they often merit attention before improving already well-insulated parts of the home. To best insulate a home, large and small leaks must be addressed.

Myth: Switching to electric room heaters will reduce your energy bill.

This is true only under some circumstances. If you have central electric heating, using individual room heaters may save you money, if you just run the heater in the room that you occupy. But if you have central gas heating (which is typically cheaper per unit of useful heat), you can easily match or even exceed your heating bill by switching to electrical units.

Myth: Fluorescent lighting is unhealthy.

Fluorescent lighting has changed dramatically in the last few years. Today's fluorescents have greatly improved color quality. And the annoying flicker and hum have been eliminated from fluorescents that use electronic incandescent lighting. Because they require less electricity, fluorescents generate less power plant pollution, which has many known health effects. Fluorescent lights do contain small amounts of mercury and must be disposed of properly. However, additional mercury releases are avoided thanks to reduced use of mercury-containing fossil fuels used to generate electricity. If it's been a while since you tried fluorescent lights, you might give them another chance. The oft sited claim of fluorescent lights "sapping people's vitamins" and the like have no basis in fact.

Myth: Halogen lighting is superefficient.

It's true that halogen lights use slightly less energy than standard incandescent bulbs, but many halogens require transformers that can use extra energy, even when the light is off. They also tend to put off a great deal of heat, which may add to the cooling load of a home during hot weather. Halogens can also pose a serious fire hazard. By comparison, compact fluorescent lights are nearly three times as efficient and put off far less heat. Many new models are dimmable, like halogens.

Myth: Electric heating is more efficient than fuel-based heating.

It's true that all, or almost all, of the electricity that goes into an electric heater is transformed to useful heat in your home. However, making electricity is an inefficient process, with as much as two-thirds of the input energy (coal, natural gas, and so on) being lost in the process. This is why electricity is typically so much more expensive for the consumer than direct fuels. Don’t forget, though, that combustion appliances in the home must be installed and vented properly and must always have a continuous, reliable source of makeup air.

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2006-10-19 13:20:00

Your One-Day Financial Makeover

Movie with the girls. Ka-ching! An $8 focaccia sandwich for lunch. Ka-ching. The cat's blood-pressure medicine. Ka-ching! Late fees, insurance, utility bills. Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching. Sure, you could save money — if only you could stop spending it. You can't, of course, but you can spend it more slowly, wisely, and purposefully. How? Set aside one day (or a few evenings) and devote the time to cutting costs, following the daylong schedule on these pages. Along the way, take a look at Real Simple's solutions to readers' top four money problems. Then observe as you reap the benefits — and save up to $5,000 this year.

Morning: Housing and Food

9:00 a.m. Research your next purchase.
If your dishwasher is close to kaput or your printer is running low on ink, do your purchasing homework now. "Waiting until the last minute means paying full price," cautions Neale Godfrey, author of Money Still Doesn't Grow on Trees .Go to www.dealcatcher.com or www.pricegrabber.com, two on-line marketplaces that offer coupons, rebates, and price comparisons on everything from ink-jet cartridges to DVD players to dishwashers. Type in the kind of item you're looking for, then compare deals from outlets like www.amazon.com, www.Overstock.com, and www.BestBuy.com. Or try www.dealtime.com or www.bizrate.com, which also offer free price comparisons. All these sites provide reader reviews, which can alert you to the strengths and weaknesses of a given product.

AVERAGE SAVINGS: From $10 for print cartridges to $50 for a dishwasher (over buying them at a local stationery or department store).

9:30 a.m. Take a bite out of grocery costs.
The average family of four spends about $450 a month on food, according to the Food Marketing Institute, a supermarket trade association. To economize, join a warehouse club like BJ's Wholesale Club (www.bjs.com; $40 annual fee), Costco (www.costco.com; $45), or Sam's Club (www.samsclub.com; $35). Visit each club's website to determine which has the best location and product mix for you, then join online. The clubs can be 20 to 50 percent cheaper than regular grocery stores when it comes to products like condiments, coffee, bottled water, and canned beans and vegetables (they're also, hands-down, the best place to shop for appliances, trash bags, aspirin, and best-selling books, among other things). One RS tester found she could save $75 to $100 a year by purchasing bottled water from Costco rather than the local Stop & Shop. (A bonus: Sam's and Costco sell calling cards that charge just 3 1/2 cents a minute on long-distance calls.) But don't neglect your supermarket entirely — it will have better deals on items like produce, chips, and cookies.

AVERAGE ANNUAL SAVINGS: $1,850 (based on the average bill for a family of four at 35 percent savings, minus the average club membership).

10:00 a.m. Cut heating and utility costs.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the average family spends $1,400 a year on energy bills. This past season, prices soared up to 45 percent, partly due to increased demand. To lower your bill, surf over to www.energy.gov, the U.S. Department of Energy's website. Go to Information for Consumers and click on "Your Home." You'll find the Home Energy Saver, a handy energy-audit tool. By entering information about your house — the year it was built, the number of windows, the type of heating system — you'll generate tips for improving its energy efficiency. The more specific you are, the more detailed the advice. You won't have time to fix all these things now, but you can print out a list and follow up this weekend. For example, investing just $33 to $100 in a programmable thermostat — which you can set to lower your home's temperature at night and raise it in the morning — can slice 5 to 30 percent off your heating and cooling costs, according to the Department of Energy.

AVERAGE ANNUAL SAVINGS: $1,000 if you live in an extreme climate, like Vermont; $450 if you live in a milder one, like San Francisco.

11:00 a.m. Scrutinize your wireless, long-distance, and Internet bills.
If the cost of staying connected makes you want to become a hermit, scout for better rates at www.lowermybills.com or www.billsaver.com, free comparison-shopping sites. LowerMyBills.com allows you to search 18 categories of services, including long-distance carriers and Internet access. When you find a rate you like, call the provider directly. (Both sites conduct background checks on companies listed.) RS testers saved, on average, $150 a year on long distance, $100 on cellular service, and $80 a year on Internet access. Savings vary, based on location and whether you want to go with a brand name. For instance, one tester reduced her monthly Internet-access fee from $24 to $10 by switching from AOL to a local service.

AVERAGE ANNUAL SAVINGS: Up to $80 a year on Internet service, $150 on long distance, and as much as $100 on cell-phone bills.

Midday: Entertainment
Noon. Convert coins to cash, get a library card, and swap your gift cards.
After a lunch break, get ready to take a walk or a drive. Gather up all your spare change and go to one of the free or cheap change-counting machines that are available in many grocery stores and banks (for a nationwide listing, visit www.theunderstory.com). One tester turned up $143, which she then put into an interest-bearing savings account. While you're out, sign up for a library card. Borrowing hardcover books instead of buying them can save even the casual reader, who buys an average of four hardcover books a year, about $70. Once you're back, hunt down any unused gift cards you have and go to www.swapagift.com. For a $4 listing fee, you can buy, sell, or trade your unused cards for those of merchants you prefer.

AVERAGE ANNUAL SAVINGS: Library card, $70. Found money, varies by household. Gift cards, $25 to $50 (assuming you would otherwise have let the cards languish in your desk drawer).

1:30 p.m. Liberate yourself from video- and DVD-rental late fees.
You checked out The Remains of the Day at Blockbuster on a Thursday and plugged it into your DVD player, as planned, on Friday night. But just as Emma Thompson came on the screen, the phone rang...and you never saw the remains of the movie. The next thing you knew, a week had gone by, you'd forgotten all about the movie, and the late fee was more than the cost of a new DVD. If this sounds familiar, don't feel bad; you're in good (if late) company. A recent report by Decisive Analytics, a market-research firm, found that 20 percent of movie renters pay, on average, $7.60 in late fees for every tardy rental. So take three minutes — literally — and sign up at Netflix (www.netflix.com) or Wal-Mart (www.walmart.com; click on "DVD Rentals"). Then take five minutes more to browse through their listings and create a rental queue. For $19 to $20 a month (the cost of renting four new releases at Blockbuster), you can rent as many DVDs as you want, keeping three out at a time for as long as you want. When you return one, the company will send you the next one from your queue. Each movie arrives in a prepaid envelope, which you reuse to return the DVD. And you'll never pay a late fee again.

AVERAGE ANNUAL SAVINGS: Depending on your lateness record, up to $280 a year (based on rental costs and late fees for the average of 60 rentals a year, with half of those returned late).

1:45 p.m. Analyze your attendance at the gym, the theater, and art museums.
Let's face it: Sometimes your ambitions don't mesh with reality. You buy a pricey membership, then hardly use it. Take the gym. In a three-year study, economists at the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University combed through 8,000 gym-membership records in the Boston area and found that about 80 percent of the members with a monthly contract were paying significantly more than they would have if they had gone on a pay-per-use basis. That's because the members had overestimated their gym usage and went fewer than five times a month, on average — far less than they had initially projected. The result: An average user paid $17 per workout, even when a $10 pay-per-use option existed. And that added up. Members were losing on average $700 over the life of their monthly or annual gym contracts. One RS tester realized she hadn't been to her local Y in more than a year and was wasting $87 a month ($1,044 a year) in membership fees. She found she could pay $10 a visit and canceled the plan.

Conversely, you may be overpaying for single visits to the local zoo, art museum, or aquarium if you go frequently and don't have a membership. For instance, another RS tester, who lives in Philadelphia, found it would cost her family of four $56 to visit the zoo, plus $7 for parking. But for just $79, her family could buy a membership and enjoy unlimited visits and free parking for a year.

AVERAGE ANNUAL SAVINGS: $700.

2:00 p.m. Donate to charity.
Rummage through your closets and bookshelves for clothing and household items you can donate. "Have a two-year rule," suggests Michelle Singletary, a Washington Post columnist and the author of 7 Money Mantras for a Richer Life . "If you haven't worn or used it in the last two years, give it away." Even a sum as nominal as $150 worth of goods can reduce your taxes by about $42, if you itemize your deductions and are in the 28 percent tax bracket. (If you're in the 15 percent tax bracket or lower, this may not be worth your trouble. You can find your tax bracket at www.irs.gov; search for "tax rate.") Try to do this at least twice a year, and remember to get a receipt from the charity.

AVERAGE ANNUAL SAVINGS: $84 (if you're in the 28 percent bracket and make two $150 donations a year).