SmartZone

Smart Grid: Boom times ahead for EE and DR, economists conclude

Effective January 01, 2012 manufactures will no longer be allowed by law to produce T12 florescent bulbs. The electric utility companies have taken note of this change and many, including AEP Ohio, will discontinue providing energy efficiency project incentives for upgrading T12 fixtures and bulbs to more efficient products. If you have these fixtures or bulbs in your building now is the time to replace them before the incentives are discontinued. For more information on how to take advantage of these incentives and others like them, contact EZ-Integration, Inc. at (614) 495-3700 or visit our Web site at: http://www.energysmartpartners.com.

In many states, including Ohio, businesses and home owners have the right to choose their electric service provider. Depending on location, electric consumption, and competitiveness in a market area consumers have the potential to save between 8% and as much as 30% off of their current electric bills. For more information visit the PUCO , Ohio Consumers Council , or contact us by phone: (614) 495-3700 or email: info@energysmartpartners.com

We are used to checking the tires, batteries, windshield wiper blades, and getting our cars in for service appointments to prepare them for the cold winter months. It's a knowledge that is passed along from generation to generation or in some cases auto mechanic to car owner. It's been ingrained into us how important it is to winterize your car every year. But did you know that it's important to winterize our homes as well? You could save a significant amount money on winter energy bills by taking the right steps. To get started, here's an article from Inhabitat containing a list of 10 steps you can take to help make your home more energy efficient this winter. http://inhabitat.com/10-easy-tips-to-cut-your-home-energy-bill-this-winter/

You can report your own electric meter reading to the utility each month. Your monthly electric utility bill isn't based on an actual meter reading every month. Actual meter readings are not performed every month unless there is a smart meter installed at your location. The mechanical electric meters that have been used for decades require a utility to send out a meter reader to your location to get a reading. Due to weather conditions and a variety of other circumstances the utilities are unable to send out a meter reader to check every meter each month. So, the utilities estimate your consumption based on past usage in those months. Sometimes the results are shocking when you get a large bill the next month in which an actual reading is performed if the estimate was inaccurate. Eliminate those shocking bills and report your own readings each month to ensure your bill is always accurate.

Nuclear power may be poised to make a comeback as past opponents are becoming supporters in the wake of the apparent danger posed by carbon. The drawbacks associated with this form of energy are now considered less environmentally-damaging that other traditional methods such as coal and oil.

Computer peripherals (such as printers and monitors) can account for 10 percent or more of a work station's energy use. Ensuring that these devices are not consuming power when not being used can yield tremendous savings!

With all the confusion in the world today about what, how and just why to start thinking and green, the question of WHEN can get lost in all of the madness. Even from a purely financial standpoint, "when" is a perfectly reasonable question to ask about saving energy. When is it reasonable to start making 'green' initiatives? When can I expect a return on my investment if I 'go green' now? When can I make an impact on my business or home if I start going green now? These are all valid questions, and the answer is that there's never been a better time than right now to start!

Turning your thermostat down by 3 degrees can save up to 10% on your heating bill. Using a programmable thermostat and control system to manage the temperature while you're away will yield even bigger benefits!

The average compact flourescent (CFL) bulb will use only about 20 - 25% of the energy of a comparable standard incandescent lightbulb? And an LED will use only about 1/2 as much as the CFL!!!