Tag: <span>energy saving</span>

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First of all, not every green or energy efficiency item will provide a substantial rate-of-return or ROI. Replacing carpet with bamboo flooring makes perfect environmental sense but might not be justified through an economic payback calculation. Replacing a gravel driveway with permeable pavement is an admirable retrofit project but, since gravel is also permeable, the environmental impact is probably negligible. Certain energy and green retrofit items just do not provide a high ROI but are still well worth doing for other reasons, such as building durability, safety, healthier indoor environment, etc.

In terms of economic justification for a deep energy-green retrofit project are there ways to determine if the entire project should be able to pay for itself through savings of energy, water and other resources? The answer is yes if you understand the art and science behind modeling. The question of “how much energy or water will a project save” can only be answered by examining the proposed energy and water efficiency measures individually and also in groupings to determine the overall amount of energy and/or water savings potential. You must also factor in the present and predicted future cost of energy and water to compare the ‘net present value’ of the overall project investment against the cost of doing nothing & just paying the ongoing energy and water bills. (Point of fact: Most people do not understand that they pay dearly every day for wasted energy, water and other resources and that this wasted money can and should be used to pay for intelligent reductions.)

While it is nearly impossible to predict how much our natural resources will escalate in cost in the future, it is safe to assume that our vital finite resources, such as natural gas, coal, oil, electricity and, yes, even clean water, will rise in cost in relation to scarcity over time. So, it is wise to include some form of price escalation factor into your overall energy and water conservation model. Historically, the cost of conventional energy and water has risen over time in a fairly predictable manner and will likely continue to do so in the future. The actual degree or magnitude of these increases falls into the realm of speculation but this unknown variable itself has made some people wary and uncomfortable. In other words, large spikes in energy cost can and do happen and availability of clean water is becoming a world-wide concern.

On the other hand, with the sophisticated test equipment and software available today it is possible to determine the amount of energy and water savings attributable to an improvement ‘package‘ to a very accurate degree. It is not uncommon to find that a deep energy-green retrofit will produce a ROI of 30% or more, which is better that nearly every other type of investment available today. Plus, if you factor in an energy supply system, such as a solar energy or wind system, then the ongoing cost for conventional energy drops even more… perhaps to the point that the renewable energy system produces enough site-based energy to offset the remaining monthly cost for conventional energy. This is now known as a ‘net zero energy home’ or super energy efficient home. Note: Some energy utilities charge a minimum monthly fee or customer charge that can not be offset by on-site energy production. The only way to avoid the monthly customer charge is to disconnect completely from your energy utility provider(s), aka disconnecting from the grid or going ‘off-grid’.

There are many factors to consider when evaluating a substantial number of green and/or energy savings retrofit options and opinions abound on what is best to do or to avoid. What is the best way to start? Since this article is about residential improvements then it is wise to take the time required to find an experienced certified home energy rater or HERS* rater. A knowledgeable and experienced home energy rater understands how to use the sophisticated energy testing equipment needed to evaluate the energy situation of your existing residence, whether it is an apartment, single family home, multi-family dwelling… , and he/she has access to the energy evaluation software needed to perform the energy modeling necessary to determine the most effective set or ‘package’ of energy improvements needed to provide the targeted ROI.

Certified home energy raters also understand ways to conserve water and how to access private financing for your improvement package, such as Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) and Energy Improvement Mortgages (EIMs). (Plus HUD’s 203k loans with energy component) However, what if you are also interested in incorporating green products and technologies or want to get your residence certified through a national green program, such as the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program or the NAHB National Green Building Standard? In this case you will want to locate a “Green Rater” or “Green Verifier” who is properly certified and able to help you with the additional decisions involved in related green aspects, such as:

• Natural landscaping/Edible landscaping
• Renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic (PV) electrical systems or solar thermal (hot water or air) systems
• Rainwater catchment systems and/or cisterns
• Hybrid heating/cooling systems
• Advanced technologies, such as home automation, daylighting, hydroponics and the list can go on and on

Please don’t despair or be overwhelmed at this point because there is an answer to even the most comprehensive and complicated projects ever devised. If you want to have the most energy efficient dwelling possible with the latest, greatest green features built into it, then you will need to enlist your own ‘hand-picked’ team to help you design and build it.

In essence, by having other people focus on your project with you then you’ll obtain the collective benefit of your group’s experience and knowledge to incorporate into your project. Assembling your own group is known in architectural and engineering circles as building an “Integrated Design Team”. This universally recognized team approach to creating innovative, cutting-edge projects can reward you with the best results possible. But, how do you find, assemble and schedule meetings with the geographically diverse and specifically talented members of your team? The answer is to find someone who is versed in facilitating design charrettes, which basically are targeted meetings focused on your particular project or set of projects.

I hope that this article gave you some new insights into how you can help defend your self and your loved ones from escalating energy prices and water scarcity concerns. Obviously one article will not answer your questions that I know you have, such as:

• How to obtain or grow organic healthy food
• How to arrange financing for innovative homes in today’s market
• How to charge your electric vehicle (EV) for free using solar power, etc.

That’s what future articles are for. Thank you for taking the time to read this and may you live a long, healthy and productive life.

*HERS – Home Energy Rating Systems (More information available about HERS at RESNET.us )

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Source by Ken Riead

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The year 2017, according to the Chinese Zodiac, is the year of the Fire Rooster. The Pantone color of the year is green. Despite green being the year’s color, do you know that there are other ways to atone your house to the idea of becoming green? One method is by making your house more energy-efficient. The rest of the article gives you some tips on how to align your house design towards energy efficiency.

• Be wise with your choice – fans over lights!

Making your house cooler is a much more energy-efficient way than making it appear brighter. Achieve this by installing fans in each room rather than putting lights. During summer, you’ll see the great benefits.

• Higher tag price isn’t always quality.

There are many fixtures you may want for your house. Browsing through the internet and looking at glossy home magazines will open your eyes to a lot of pricy and classy home fixtures. But do you know that quality does not mean expensive?

There are quality choices that will not burn you off much of your hard-earned money. For instance, cheaper bathroom and kitchen fixtures may have the same energy-efficient capacities than more expensive ones. The same principle applies to other household appliances.

• Window coverings over more windows

Windows should be strategically placed in areas where the right amount of natural sunlight can enter. By this, you’re actually saving a lot of energy. You won’t be needing to turn of your fluorescents and lamps at an earlier time.

During the day, when you just want to have a darker setting, you just need the right curtains, drapes, or blinds to cover the window. This will also prove useful during winter months.

• Install rugs and carpets.

The winter months can really give chilling effects to the skin. By these months, you’re on to wearing your thickest pieces of clothing. You’re also burning more woods in your fireplaces. But do you know that you can have a more efficient way of getting more heat inside your house? The secret lies with the proper choice of rugs and carpets on specific house parts. Aside from getting the house decorated, these home decor help trap warm air to give you a warmer feel.

• Rethink of your ceiling – do you want it lower or higher?

Higher ceiling creates a more spacious look and feel. Lower ceiling gives you an easier way to heat or cool the house and cut your energy costs.

Are you seeking for an existing home which is energy-efficient? Don’t be afraid to contact your local real estate broker. Your choice might just be in his or her listings.

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Source by Desare A Kohn-Laski

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As environmental damage is increasingly on the social and political agenda, BLT Direct says that making a difference can be as easy as switching from one light bulb to another. Energy efficient bulbs may not be a new innovation but it’s surprising how many households have yet to make the change. Using an energy efficient bulb in the place of a standard light bulb reduces CO2 emissions and saves energy. In fact, if every household in the country used just one energy efficient bulb, the energy saved would be enough to light up Briton’s streetlights for a whole year.

If you’re still not sure about energy saving bulbs and how they can help reduce your electricity bill and do your bit for the environment, read on…

Why are energy saving light bulbs better then normal bulbs?

Energy saving light bulbs work much more efficiently than standard bulbs. A traditional bulb wastes energy by producing heat as well as light. An energy saving bulb however works more like a fluorescent tube. The electric current passes through the gas in the tube, lighting it up without producing excess heat.

Do I need to replace like for like If I Switch To Energy Saving?

No. Because energy saving bulbs work more productively they use around a quarter of the electricity. This means you can replace a normal 60W bulb with a 13-18W energy saving recommended equivalent.

Will An Energy Saving Bulb Really Save Me Money?

Yes! The savings from an energy saving bulb are twofold. Firstly, because they waste less energy and use less electricity, the savings on your electricity bill are substantial. Energy saving light bulbs last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs and can save you £9 per year in electricity (and 38 kilograms of CO2 ) or £100 over the bulbs lifetime.

Secondly, as energy saving bulbs are built to last, you need to replace them less frequently, saving money on the cost of new bulbs.

But Don’t Energy Saving Bulbs Cost More?

Energy saving light bulbs are more expensive than traditional light bulbs when initially purchased. However, in the long term the savings on the electricity bill and lower replacement costs make it a cheaper option.

Can I Use Energy Saving Bulbs With Existing Appliances?

Energy saving bulbs can be used with older appliances such as lamps. In addition, you can now also buy low energy light fittings which will only take low energy light bulbs. These use a ballast

or transformer fitted into the base of the light fitting. It controls the supply of electricity to the bulb, allowing for a small surge of power for a millisecond to light the bulb and then reducing the electricity flow to a very low level. Low energy fittings require a pin-based energy saving bulb. This is a different fitting to a conventional bulb but will ensure that the bulbs you buy in future will always save energy, money and the environment.

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Source by Steven Ellwood

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Climate change is a hot topic and an ever-growing concern. Reducing emissions as well as our carbon footprint is something every Australian can do to help the environment, and preserve it for future generations. Having an energy efficient home is the best place to make a difference. Working towards becoming more eco-friendly at home has incredibly positive effects on our wallets too. Conserving energy and making your home more energy efficient will reduce your power bills and leave you with more money in your back pocket.

There are several ways to make your home more energy efficient, from smart technology to easy DIY options around the home.

Making your home energy efficient with technology:

While they can be expensive, solar panels are incredibly effective at reducing your power bill and are an eco-friendly source of power. The savings solar panels create far outweighs the cost of installation. Solar panels are a great renewable energy source, and do not produce any harmful emissions. Solar panels often generate more electricity than you will need to power your home, in fact, you can send the excess power back to the grid in return for credit – saving you even more money!

Buying energy efficient appliances is also a great way to make your home more energy efficient. Look for the Energy Star rating on appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators and more. The Energy Star rating is easy to spot, make it simple to identify the right appliances for your energy-efficient home.

Simple tips to being more energy efficient at home:

These simple tips do not require large investment, but easy behavioral and lifestyle changes which will equate to a significant reduction in energy wastage and a much lower monthly power bill.

This includes composting food scraps which you can re-use in your garden as a nutrient-dense fertilizer. This in turn reduces the amount of waste that ends up at the tip. Being aware of your food wastage will also subsequently make you consider family eating and spending habits and becoming more resourceful to avoid food waste.

Another simple yet effective trick to reduce energy wastage is by simply turning off your appliances when they aren’t in use. Jugs, washing machines, phone chargers, toasters – the list goes on. In each room in your home, there are probably three items that could be unplugged. Consider the wastage across the whole household every day, and that results in a significant yearly wastage that could save you money if avoided.

You can also change some settings on your appliances, or the way you use them, to reduce energy wastage. This includes reducing the use of your dryer, using only the cold-wash settings on your washing machine, or reducing your thermostat by a couple of degrees.

You can create draught stoppers with old pillowcases to stop warm air being lost around your door framing, or cold air creeping in. While you’re at it, seal the cracks around your windows using a seal gun for an air tight home.

How else can you make your home energy efficient?

You should also consider insulating your home with underfloor and ceiling insulation. Another slightly more expensive solution, insulation not only adds essential warmth, but also additional value to your home. Be sure to get a professional to install the insulation for you to ensure all areas are covered and the installation is to a high standard.

Before you insulate, you’ll need to make sure your roof cavity is free of birds and pests that can end up causing costly damage to the insulation. To do this you’ll need to contact bird proofing specialists. They can ensure your roof will be free from pests, as well as keeping them out for good.

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Source by Brenden Wragg

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With so many window treatment options, it can be hard to choose which blinds you want to buy. Then you hear about energy efficient blinds and wonder how much you could actually save. There is an easy way to find out. If you go to some online blinds store, you can use an energy calculator to give you an idea of how much you would save based on the square footage of your home.

Here are some other ways to figure out savings.

Honeycomb Cellular Shades and Fusion Shades are the Most Energy Efficient

The double cell honeycomb shade along with the fusion roman shade is the most efficient design available today. What you may not realize is that the color makes a difference in the energy efficiency of the blinds.

– Choose a light color or a shiny surface to reflect light and heat.

– Choose dark colors to absorb heat.

How Sunlight Effects Your Energy Bill

During the summer, windows can cause your energy consumption to increase a whopping 20 to 50 percent of the total energy used in a home. To give you a more concrete example a tiny one by one foot window lets in more heat than your entire wall! This can make your air conditioner work as much as 50 percent harder than it has to. The right window treatment means the energy used goes down, electric bill goes down, and the sun can’t fade your carpet or furniture.

Window Blinds and Coefficient

The coefficient measures the shades ability to insulate the home and how well it blocks out solar energy. In this case, you want a low number. The lower the number the better a job it will do keeping your house warm during the winter and cool during the summer.

You can find a coefficient rating on both honeycomb shades and fusion roman shades.

Using the Energy Calculator to Determine How Much You Will Save

Of course, the energy calculator is only an estimate. However, you can get a good idea about how much you can save with the right blinds.

All you do is enter the square footage of your home. Then you choose from a variety of styles and then estimate energy savings. You will notice that honeycomb cellular shades, blackout shades, and even double cell translucent shades top the list.

An average size home can expect to save between $200 and $400 dollars from installing window treatments. In addition, when you choose qualifying blinds, you can get a Federal Tax Cut as well.

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Source by Chris R. Stanley

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Making the decision to change over to pin energy saving light bulb products can be a step towards improving your environment, improving your lighting, and reducing your energy costs. As you learn about what these products offer, you will be encouraged to use them. They pay for themselves with the money you save in future bulbs and lowering your energy bills.

Number of Pins

As the demand for pin energy saving light bulb products increases, so does the various of products. Don’t let it be intimidating to you as you shop around. Instead, consider it a means of ensuring you get what you want. Identify the number of pins so you can get a product that fits. if it isn’t going into the slot easily, don’t force it. Double check you have the right number of pins.

Some of them only have two pins and others have three. The largest selection of pin energy saving light bulb products out there have four pins. Such information should be easy to locate for any given type of product you are interested in. If you aren’t sure though, you should ask to confirm before you place your order.

Wattage

Most of these products are offered both with the frosted and the clear colour. You can choose the style of pin energy saving light bulb you want. You can also pick the wattage you want. They are as low as 15 watts for an area that doesn’t need much light at all. Since the LED never gets hot, you can with a high wattage bulb and never have to worry about it getting too hot.

Estimated Hours of Life

Before you buy any pin energy saving light bulb, find out what the estimated number of hours of life will be for it. You certainly want the product you pay for to be long lasting. Most of them offer you thousands of hours. Yet there are those that can have a life up to twice as long as other similar products.

Brand

Finding the best brand out there with this type of product works in your favour. It is essential for you to get a brand you can rely on. The only way for that to happen is if they have a wonderful reputation. Evaluate what consumers have to say about the brand and about the specific pin energy saving light bulb you are interested in.

This will help you to avoid paying for something that falls short of your expectations. It will also help you to compare prices and to find the very best product out there for your money. You don’t want to pay too much and you don’t want to get a cheaply made imitation bulb that doesn’t do well up against a great brand name product.

Cost

You also want to compare the cost of such products. Typically, you will get a lower per unit price if you buy more than one at a time. Buying enough for your entire home or business to be swapped over at the same time is a good idea. Some consumers only buy a few to start out with and then when they see the benefits they will buy more.

Make sure you get a great value in regard to the price you pay for the products. Remember, it also means you pay more for them than a regular bulb but the savings starts right away. When you get your next electric bill, you will notice a difference in what you owe! That will continue every single month!

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Source by Jill Thomson

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We are all beginning to realize how important it is to save energy, especially with the current economic climate. Today when it comes to saving energy there are certain devices you can install which can help you. Energy saving devices have many benefits and below we look at just what some of these are.

Benefit 1 – You are helping to reduce the use of fossil fuels that help to create energy which then runs different types of electrical equipment in the home. By reducing the amount of energy you use you are reducing how much fossil fuel needs to be burnt in order to create it. This in turn is beneficial to the environment as it helps to reduce your country’s carbon foot print.

Benefit 2 – The installation of such power saver devices is relatively easy to be done and you could if you wanted do it yourself. Normally all it needs is for you to turn off the mains power supply in your home before connecting them to the devices such as lights and air conditioners where you want to save power. With such systems you will be provided with full instructions with regards to how to install them.

Benefit 3 – After installation has taken place you will immediately begin to feel the effects of these energy savers. If you fit one to your air conditioning unit for example it can help to control the temperature and adjust the system automatically. Yet these systems don’t actually connect directly to the air conditioning circuitry.

Benefit 4 – Within each one there is a stable capacity so unlike other electrical equipment in your home they are not affected by fluctuations in the power supply. So of course this means that the chances of equipment to which they are connected being damaged by power surges are greatly reduced.

Benefit 5 – The biggest benefit of course is when you get your electricity bill in the coming months and years. By installing a power saver device in your home you could be reducing how much electricity you waste annually by as much as 28%. This in turn means that you are reducing your annual electricity bill by quite a considerable sum as well. In fact using such devices could end up reducing your annual utility bills by as much as 75 to 80%.

As you can see from above there are many benefits to be gained from installing an energy saving device in your home. As you will soon discover when you search online there are many different types to choose from. So it is worthwhile doing some research into each model before you make your final purchase.

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Source by Carol K L Oon

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It costs you more money and uses more energy to heat and cool your home than any other system in your home. Typically, 44% to 50% of your utility bills pays for heating and cooling your home.

Regardless of the type of home comfort systems you have in your house, you can save money and increase comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment.

Keep in mind that an energy efficient air conditioner alone will not have as great an impact on your energy bills as using an approach that involves the entire house. If you combine proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, weatherisation and thermostat settings, you can reduce your energy bills by up to 50%.

General Cooling Tips:

* Use house fans. House fans help cool your home by circulating cool air throughout the house. They are most effective when the outside air temperature is cooler than the inside and when operated at night. An attic fan can blow away hot air that accumulates in the attic. This can go a long way to help the efficiency of your air conditioning system.

* Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. By maintaining a minimum difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, you’ll lower your overall cooling bill.

* Don’t reduce your thermostat setting to a colder temperature than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

* Set the fan speed on high, except in humid weather. When it’s humid, set the fan speed on low.

* Consider ceiling fans to help spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use.

* Keep lamps and TV sets away from your air conditioning thermostat.

* Shade air-conditioning units by planting trees or shrubs, but make sure you do not block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses up to 10% less electricity than one operating in the sun.

* Close shades or curtains on east, south, and west-facing windows during the hours when the sun’s intensity is at its peak. Open curtains and windows during early morning and overnight hours when the air outside the home is cooler.

* Turn off the air conditioner if the house (or air-conditioned rooms) will be unoccupied for an extended period. Use a programmable thermostat (link to product page) to turn Air off and on automatically when you know the house will be unoccupied.

Here are a few more steps you can take to substantially improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Take a Holistic Approach to Total Home Energy Conservation

To achieve the maximum in total home comfort and energy savings, we recommend that you step back and look at the big picture of energy consumption in your villa. The fact is, your total home comfort and efficiency is the product of many systems: heating, cooling, lighting & electrical, plumbing and possibly others working together.

It is the interplay between these systems, combined with the size, age, physical features and location of your home, and even your lifestyle, that combine to produce the total energy efficiency of your home. Changing or upgrading one system, without considering the other factors will usually result in some improvement, but may not deliver the maximum possible benefit.

If you’re building a new villa, or considering a major remodel or system upgrade, consider an Integrated Systems approach. It may cost a little more now, but will undoubtedly save you a bundle over time. Our skilled engineers and technicians will look at the big picture when designing a solution for your home.

Conduct a Home Energy Audit

The place to begin when evaluating your home’s overall energy efficiency and deciding how to reduce consumption and costs is with a Home Energy Audit. This takes into consideration much more than just your heating and cooling systems, and will give you a benchmark from which to make decisions and measure your energy saving progress.

Here are some of the heating & cooling factors your audit should take into consideration:

* Insulation in walls, floors, and attic.

* Vapor Barriers in walls

* Quality of Windows – Single or double pane

* Heat loss around doors and windows

* Quality of insulation in doors

* Integrity of ductwork “- Any leaks

* Cleanliness of ductwork

* Use of “passive” solar energy

* Use of curtains and other window coverings to prevent heat loss

* Efficiency of heating and cooling systems – Condition of filters, etc.

Consider Purchasing an Annual Maintenance Agreement

You’ve heard the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” Well that doesn’t apply to your air conditioner any more than it does to your automobile. However, when your system is operating properly, it is easy to forget. Regular maintenance will save you the time money and headaches of premature system failures and major repairs. It will ensure that your system is always working at peak efficiency and help you avoid excessive energy costs.

Make sure your Air Conditioner is properly sized

Bigger Is Not Necessarily Better – A bigger room air-conditioning unit won’t necessarily make you feel more comfortable during the hot summer months and will most likely perform less efficiently and less effectively than a smaller, properly sized unit. Room units work better if they run for relatively long periods of time as opposed to being constantly switched on and off. The longer running time an air conditioner is allowed to maintain, the easier it is for the unit to hold a more constant room temperature. Running longer also allows air conditioning units to remove more moisture from the air, which reduces humidity and increases the comfort level in the room.

Check specifications carefully when choosing the right air conditioner for your space. Central air-conditioning systems also require proper sizing. Professionals, however, should perform the sizing of your central air system.

Also, do not use the system’s central fan to provide circulation. Instead, use circulating fans in individual rooms. Make sure you set the fan of your central air system to shut off at the same time of your cooling unit (compressor).

Use an Air Conditioner with a high Efficiency Rating

Select a room air conditioner that has an A rating or 10 or higher.

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Source by Helen Rudd

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Energy efficient, or “low flow” shower heads – use less water while you shower, so they make hot water last longer. This saves energy and money.

Reduce the flow of water through your shower and you reduce the use of hot water. You could take a “Navy Shower:”

• Turn the water on and wet down
• Turn the water off and soap up
• Turn the water on and rinse
• Turn the water off

… And save a lot of hot water – but most people would rather take a full shower, so low flow water saving is the best route. Or, of course, without seeming flip, you can always save water by showering with a friend. Good for relationships, good for the earth, and makes lots of sense – it’s good clean fun. To paraphrase an old adage about marriage, two can shower as cheaply as one – almost.

There are many different types of low flow shower heads: ones designed for normal water pressure, ones designed for homes with lower water pressure, ones with various “massage” features, and just plain and simple… ones that use less water. There are even models that inject air into the water stream claiming to improve your skin so you feel more refreshed. Look for the water saving shower that best suits your needs and your budget.

The important thing is always think about ways to consume less water – which will consume less hot water and less energy – and energy efficient “low flow” showering certainly makes your hot water last longer.

By switching to an energy and water saving showers, you’ll reduce your utility bills, reduce resources used to create the hot water, and save them for future generations. Even if you create the power yourself with your own wind and solar generators – or solar water heaters, if you use less, you will have more for other things – and for future generations.

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Source by Dan Davenport

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Some smaller home appliances use more power than larger ones. Irons can place a big strain on the power you use. On the up side there are some excellent irons on the market to save energy, not just the electricity you use but your energy as well. Team a good product with these energy saving tips and you could be on the way to doing your bit for saving the planet.

Before you iron all the clothes in the basket take a moment to think about what really does need ironing. Society’s dress code has weakened over the years and long gone are the days of starched shirts, pleated trousers and beautifully pressed handkerchiefs.

Damp clothes iron easier

By taking the clothes off the line before being completely dry means less time for you to pass the iron over them. They will iron easier therefore the iron won’t need to be on for as long. Using a fabric spray works well too as does a light spraying with water. A drop of lavender oil in the water can help the creases unfold once the garment is hung up.

Using a clothes dryer

It is, of course better for the environment, energy consumption and your clothes if you hang your clothes outside on a line. If you must use a dryer make sure the clothes are well spun and remove the clothes from the dryer while still damp or use an iron dry cycle. Always try to keep the use of electrical appliances to a minimum.

Throwing a wash cloth soaked in water and some fabric softener in the dryer will freshen the clothes and make the garments softer, thereby requiring less time on the ironing board.

Iron in bulk

It takes more power to heat an iron than to sustain the heat so rather than turning the iron on for your daily outfit, iron as much as you can in one sitting. Ironing is not a favourite task for many people so setting up the ironing board in front of the television and working your way through the ironing basket can make a huge difference to the tedium of the process.

Outer appearances

Only iron clothes that will be on show such as top shirts and trousers. There is really no benefit to ironing under garments of any kind. In winter, shirts worn under a sweater or jacket only need the collar and front lapels ironed.

Permanent press clothes

When buying clothes, shop for fabrics marked permanent press. These do not need as much ironing as cotton and can be washed on the appropriate cycle in the washing machine saving time and energy on washing as well.

While the invention of the electric iron was a wonderful thing there is no reason to go overboard and iron every thing that goes through the wash. Modern appliances are great time savers but they can also drain our energy reserves if not used efficiently.

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Source by Malcolm Bill