Posts Tagged ‘Electricity’

Small Refrigerators – Saving Money

December 28th, 2009



The small refrigerator is an excellent way to save on your electrically bill and still keep cold drinks and food safe. People who live in an apartment or mobile home often use a smaller refrigerator instead of the larger side by sides. You can save on your electrically bill and keep the eco system. The small refrigerator has been a big hit around the college campus, offices, sport fans, and many other people in America today. The popularity of the small refrigerator in the market place has made it profitable for the manufacturer. Today investing in companies that make small refrigerators can turn over a very good income.

It is no wonder with the economy in the condition that it is in people often look for other things to place their investments besides the auto industry and the lending industry. Smaller appliances and electrical items are becoming popular in the investment world. The components used to make the small refrigerator also create jobs for smaller companies and of course the retail outlets that sell the items are making a good profit too. Many of the retail outlets depend on products like these to maintain their business.

When you consider the different ways that the small refrigerators bring a profit to the economy and the way it helps others with savings on their electricity and it is a great item to help in the eco system. The refrigerator maybe small but in the world of economic profits it is soon becoming a giant.

By: Tom Tessin

Unplug Small Appliances – Save Money and Energy

December 18th, 2009



We were toasting bagels one morning when my sister was in town. As we all sat around the table to enjoy our breakfast, she mentioned to me that I should unplug my toaster oven since we weren’t using it anymore. My response was, “I turned it off, it’s OK.”

No, it isn’t OK. What I didn’t understand then that I know now is that small appliances and electronics still draw electricity when they’re plugged in – even if the power button is turned off. Common sense says if these items are drawing power when we’re not using them, why keep them plugged in?

Exactly.

The biggest energy-drainers even when they are turned off are microwave ovens, televisions, DVD players, computers, game systems, and cable and satellite TV boxes. A good solution for these items is to plug several devices into a power strip that has an on/off switch. When you flick the switch off, the power strip no longer draws electricity from the outlet.

There are many reasons to keep your appliances and electronics unplugged when you’re not using them. First and foremost, it is the responsible thing to do for the environment. Just think how good it will feel as you’re unplugging your cell phone charger that you’re doing something good for the environment today! It’s a very simple and easy thing that EVERYONE can do. Imagine if everyone in your city decided to do this one small thing how much energy we could save? How about your state? The world?

Another main reason is the reduction in your electric bill. When my sister told me that she was saving $15 – $20 each month by unplugging her microwave, cell phone charger, and her TV my first thought was “yeah right – it can’t be that much”. Others might say that’s not enough of a savings to even bother with. Oh really? Twenty dollars per month is $240 per year in savings. I can think of plenty of things I’d rather do with $240 than give it to the electric company for something I didn’t use anyway.

The truth is that if you have 10 items in your home that are plugged in and not in use, you could be wasting as much as 450,000 watts (or 4,500 kilowatts) of electricity per year! Depending on your usage and local electricity rates, that could cost you anywhere between $200 and $600 each year! Also, most utility companies charge a higher rate when you use more than a certain amount of energy, and they also charge more during summer months when electric use is higher, so that becomes an even bigger savings when you keep your electronics unplugged.

So now I understand what my sister was talking about when she told me to unplug my toaster oven. Everything stays unplugged in my house now unless it’s being used. I am happy to say that my electric bill has been reduced by a little more than $20 each month, but even prouder to say that I am doing something good for the environment today.

By: Lori Robinson

Small Appliances I Just Can’t Live Without!

December 12th, 2009



Cooking made Easy

When I received the slow-cooker as an anniversary gift from Mom,  I placed it on my basement shelf and I thought to myself– I’ll try it out someday. Well, that someday rolled around, one year later, as I was looking for a food container on the basement shelf I had discovered that slow-cooker or as its also known as a crock pot. I sat for a moment and checked out the instruction recipe booklet finding the recipes relatively simple and there was no need to monitor this appliance.

The benefits of the crock pot is that it’s so easy to use. Are you saying to yourself  I’m not a confident cook ? Busy lifestyle? then this is the perfect small appliance for you.  It also saves you money; just  purchase economical cuts of meat. You will be able to create delicious ‘melt in your mouth’ dinners tasty enough to serve to guests. They  will  admire your cooking talents and beg you for the recipe. Assemble the recipe with little or no liquid, set it and let it cook no need to stir or adjust the temperature. The menu will turn out ever-so flavorful and tender –perfect every-time!

After a few uses, I would assemble simple family-size meals. In the morning I would turn on the crock-pot temperature timer settings and place recipe ingredients in it leaving it to cook for a few hours; I know what you’re thinking..it  uses alot of electricity..well it only uses as much as a light bulb. During this time I do housework, errands, or go to work. As the family returns home for dinner, the meal is hot and ready to serve. Make a salad and set the table.

The Rival crock-pot now sits permanently on my kitchen counter, with a series of slow-cooker cookbooks, inviting me to cook with it again! I recommend the crock-pot for every household out there!  By the way, I became so excited about the slow-cooker, I forgot which food container I went down to the basement for. That night my husband was amazed at how such a small appliance was able to create such a tasty meal in one pot.

By: Julia Angelicchio