Saving Energy

Sustainable Homes Save Money and Electricity

Solar power is quickly emerging as a viable alternative to the traditional sources of electricity. With so many green companies coming up with such a large array of solar powered appliances and solar roof panels, they are becoming ubiquitous and are a great way to save money and electricity. They are often more efficient than traditional appliances and frequently rely solely on their solar panels for electricity..

Because of its potential, solar power has become the backbone sustainable home design. A sustainable home is basically one which generates its own green power using freely available renewable resources such as sunlight and wind, makes efficient use of the resources available to it, and generally attempts to have a very low impact on the environment. Although there are many ways a house can produce green power, solar power is the most popular. Solar panels typically have a lifespan of at least 25 years and once installed they require very little maintenance.

Choosing The Best Programmable Thermostat For Your Home

Programmable thermostats are a great device to help you save money and energy within your home.  A lot of different manufacturers make these thermostats so it helps to know about the best product so you know you are going to have this device for a long time. But not all programmable thermostats are created equal. While many will help keep your home comfortable and energy efficient, others are poorly made and may end up costing you a lot more than what they save. Here’s how to choose the best programmable thermostat for your home.

Honeywell is a top brand in the programmable thermostat market but also produces a basic device.  The basic RTH221B is considered top of the market for the basic thermostat and sells for about $30.  This comes in white only and has a sleek one-piece design with all control buttons on the front.  You cannot program for each day but you do have four periods of programming per day.