Energy Conservation Tips for Honolulu Part 1
SAVING ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Graphics Courtesy of Microsift

Just like everything else, the cost of energy is up.  It’s more important than ever to be an informed consumer.  Remember, the way you use appliances, plumbing and electrical fixtures and care for them can have a great deal with their efficiency and cost of operation.  Hopefully, these Energy Conservation Tips for Honolulu Part 1 can apply to your neighborhood (heating is not included, since most neighborhoods on Oahu do not need it).

The below information has been gleened from multiple sources over the years and from my own experiences.  *data source of information was obtained from Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO).

Heating Water    - This can eat up 35 to 50% or more of your bill.

   1.         Repair any leaking faucets

2.    Insulate older water heaters, you can find covers at retail outlets for under $30.00.

3.    Install low flows on showers and faucets to reduce the hot water you use + - 50%.

4.    Install a timer or turn off your water heater at the circuit breaker if you are away from home more than two days,

5.     Most Water Heaters come from the factory with high temperature settings.  Lower your setting to 120-130F degrees.  Here’s how: Turn off the circuit to the heater.  Remove the cover panels, push aside insulation with screwdriver and adjust the temperature settings on the control dials.

6.     Drain a quart or more of water from the tank every month or so to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers efficiency

7.     Take showers instead of baths.  Bathing consumes up to 1,500 gallons of hot water, but less than 10 gallons are used during a five-minute shower.  When in a shower, quickly wet yourself, then take a clean, wet washcloth and soap it up.  Then with the shower off, wash yourself off. After soaping up, then turn on the shower to rinse.

8.   Dishwashers use 1/3 less water than washing by hand, if you wash full loads and use the short cycle.  You can also just get a bowl of soapy water clean the dishes and then rinse under the faucet.

9.   All Appliances   - Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.  READ that book, rather than just pushing buttons or eyeballing it.

Refrigerator        - Typically 12 to 15% of your electric bill.

10. Shut the Door! Opening the refrigerator door accounts for $10 - $20 of a typical family's electrical bill each year based on 40-60 openings per day.  REPLACE any worn out or torn door seals.

11. Provide adequate circulation.  Keep the vent at the bottom of the Fridge clean and allow at least one inch of space on each side of the refrigerator for good circulation.  After you unplug the fridge, clean the dust from the condenser coils usually found at the bottom of your fridge. Poor circulation can increase electricity consumption by 10%.  Do NOT cover the shelves with foil!  Blocking air pathways keeps cold air from circulating.

12. Computer - TURN it OFF!...

if you are not going to use it within 2 hours.  You could be spending well over hundreds on electricity by always leaving your computer on!  The old tale that your computer needs to be on is wrong, incorrect, nada.

More tips will follow.  If you are looking to sell or buy in 2012, contact Bruce
808-955-1577 or click here BestHomesHI.com