As summer turns to autumn and students return to school, there are safety measures and energy conservation steps that can be taken around the home, dormitory, or apartment that are both simple and cost effective. These tips are provided by National Grid:
If you are shopping for a new computer, make sure to select one with an ENERGY STAR® rating to save both energy and money in the long term. ENERGY STAR® computers are 70 percent more efficient than their unrated counterparts. A list of participating manufacturers and models can be found at www.energystar.gov. Additionally, choosing a laptop rather than desktop model can save you as much as $40 per year, and can increase efficiency by up to 85 percent.
Consider investing in a Smart Strip, a special power strip that allows you to leave power flowing through selected items such as computers or DVRs, but powers down everything else while not in use.
Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). For each standard incandescent bulb you replace with a CFL, you can save $10 or more on your electric costs over the life of the bulb. You get more hours of illumination and three to four times more lighting efficiency. Compact fluorescents have a life expectancy of 10,000 hours, compared to 750 to 900 hours for standard bulbs.
Many consumer electronics continue to use power even after turned off. Unplug cell phone chargers, laptops, video game consoles or anything with "instant on" features, and you can save 29 kWh and $4 a month.
Turn off lights, appliances, TVs, stereos and computers when not in use or while you are away from home to save up to 58 kWh and $9.
Cook with lids on your pans. For example, cooking spaghetti without a lid on the pot can use three times more energy than if the lid were left on.
If you will be coming home after dark or in bad weather, consider buying timers to attach to your light fixtures. This way, you can turn your lights off when you leave and have them already on when you come home.
Avoid the danger of overloading electrical outlets with too many appliances such as computers, TVs, DVD players and video game consoles on the same circuit in homework or entertainment areas.
Do not place damp clothing over light fixtures to dry or run electric cords under carpeting, since these can create serious fire hazards.
Use surge protectors to safeguard against voltage changes during a storm.
Use a power strip to safely organize and connect appliances to wall sockets and circuits with the appropriate voltage to accommodate the electric load.