Apartments can pose a unique challenge to people.
Since most people who rent property do not own the property or aren’t under a rent-to-own contract, renters often times ignore energy saving tips.
Their point of view, which is certainly understandable, is why pay for improvements that will reduce bill when I will not reap the rewards or benefits of my effort? Why pay for improvements on property that isn’t owned by me?
For renters, there are a couple of things to consider before deciding whether to balk and ignore the whole …

After you move in
Keep your electricity bills in check right away! If you have the money, replace most or all of the lights with fluorescents. You can stagger this if you wish, and only buy or install the lights you anticipate using most often. Take the old incandescent bulbs, and carefully place them in a bag. Wrap them in newspaper so they won’t break. Store them safely.
If you moved in during the cold season, get some rope caulk and seal the gaps or cracks in …

Let’s say you’re apartment hunting.
Do a brief “mini” energy audit while you’re walking through the apartment.
When you inspect an apartment, carefully look at the heating and cooling ducts, and especially the windows.

Do the windows or doors feel drafty?
Do they look old?
Are they in good condition?
Would you be comfortable sitting next to this window on a cold day?
Are the walls in good condition?
Is there water damage?
Is the floor in good condition?
How about the attic and/or crawlspace?
Light fixtures and switches – do they look like they’re in good condition?

Ask your landlord about …

60%  savings on the electric bill, and 35% off gas/heating bill…read how it was done.
After a previous brutally cold winter, our first focus was the windows. They were in sorry shape, with the window pane itself damaged and the frame warping away. Many were so bad that the windows themselves couldn’t be opened. They simply would not slide up and down.
The screens were in bad shape too, as well the storm windows. We had previously covered up the problem by placing plastic over the window, but …

Need 5 really quick, inexpensive (or free) ways to save money on your electric bill this spring?

Replace at least 40% of your commonly used lights with compact fluorescents.
Always turn off the lights when you leave a room.
Keep the refrigerator door closed, and unplug that second fridge.
Unplug appliances that aren’t used often.
Watch computer usage carefully and reduce if necessary.

An energy audit is the best possible way to save money on your energy bills. An energy audit works 100% when done correctly – no matter where you live.
The Home Energy Audit kit is the first download-able, do it yourself kit available online today. It walks you through the basics of an energy audit, and even teaches you how to replicate professional results with very little effort, and next to no money. Talk about a good value.
And now you can download the Home Energy Audit Kit for 50% off the …

I’m very happy to announce that the full length original e-book/e-course “Reducing your energy bills: A practical and realistic approach” is going to be made available online 100% free. This is a big step forward as the original e-book had over 400 pages of money and energy saving tips.
I’ve already begun to post excerpts online, but you will see all the chapters, and all the tips, very shortly.
There will be a new category, or section, created for the book. Look for it soon!

This is a loaded question and unfortunately is one I can’t answer without a lot more information. I can break it down for you as best I can generically and let you plug in the numbers yourself.
First, understand that all furnaces are not created equal. Some are energy star certified, some aren’t. Some are high efficiency units, some are not. Some are old, some are new. Some are sized correctly for the living space, some are not.
Let’s take the variables one at a time. First, I’m going to assume that …

There is a real push online right now for renewable energy. In other words, clean energy that the do it yourselfer dreams of. The two types that are the most prevalent are wind and solar power. Both are clean, renewable and can really make a dent in your energy bills when done right.
That’s the key phrase – when done right. The problem is most people a) don’t know how to build effective and efficient systems, b) don’t understand the implications of their decision, and c) don’t know how much power …

By Noah Buhayar

Posted Thu Jan 3, 2008 11:17am PST

Noah Buhayar is a fellow at the Rocky Mountain Institute.
The Rocky Mountain Institute recently compiled energy usage information for the typical American household. We found more than 30 ways that most people can reduce the amount of energy they use at home — without freezing in the dark.
Last week, my colleague shared with you nine no-cost ways to cut your home’s energy consumption, reduce your carbon footprint, and save money.
That’s good news this time of year as home heating …