Entry bubble More Ways to Save on Heating Bills

By: Jake | October 27, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

It was cold last week and it looks like we are in for more of the same, according to this National Weather Service chart. It's time to put away all the summer clothes, get the sweaters and jackets out and get ready to click that thermostat switch.

ThermostatI posted last month about how the Department of Energy's Energy Savers blog can give you a few tips on how to save on heating costs this winter. The folks who run the blog, the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office, have also revamped their website with the theme "Stay Warm, Save Money."

Not only do they have detailed information on energy audits for apartments, homes and small businesses, but they have no cost and low cost tips on how to save energy (and therefore money) this winter. These tips are things you can do in the short term. These include letting the sun in during the day, covering drafty windows and turning the thermostat down when you are out of the house. The most intriguing suggestion to me is the idea about turning the water heater down to the "warm setting (120 F)." Not only could this save you money, but it'll save your hands from some scalding.

They also provide long-term investments for energy savings like installing a programmable thermostat or purchasing energy efficient appliances. These suggestions will make your wallet lighter, but not to worry, they link to ways you can find financial assistance for energy-saving improvements.

| View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: energysavers.gov   heating_costs   heating_fuel   heating_tips   jake   power  

 

Entry bubble Keep Food Safe During a Power Outage

By: Joanne | July 29, 2008 | Category: Health

stainless steel refrigerator doorsI woke up this morning to a power outage. Naturally my first instinct was to panic – I can’t make coffee! Then I collected myself, found an electric bill and reported the outage to the power company and within an hour I was grinding coffee beans.

I’m lucky that I’m rarely without power and if it does go out, it’s only for a short time. What concerns me most during a power outage (after coffee) is the food in the refrigerator and freezer. Summertime is when you have to be the most careful about handling food – the heat, humidity and power outages caused by summer storms can all make your food bad, and worse, make you sick.

I know we all hate the idea of throwing food away – it’s so expensive these days and we hate to waste it. But remember it’s better to be safe than sorry. Salmonella and other food-borne illnesses are not to be taken lightly.

The good news is that it’s pretty easy to take care of your food for a short power outage, and there are steps you can take to save your food for a longer outage too. Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold enough for a couple of hours at least. A freezer that is half full will hold for up to 24 hours and a full freezer for 48 hours. When the power comes back on, use a thermometer to check the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer. If the refrigerator is 40° F or colder, and the freezer is still colder than 40° F, the food is safe.

| View Comments [3] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: electricity   food   joanne   outage   power   safety