Go Green To Lower Your Bills

There’s very little doubt that in today’s economy everyone is thinking about how to save money! In fact it’s very true to say that ways to Lower Your Bills has become increasinly important for so many people!

What many people don’t always realise is that lots of the techniques and ideas which get labelled “green living” are in fact excellent ways to lower your bills.

So in addition to looking at how to save electricity and how to, lower your electric and heating bills we are also going to look at the range of water saving devices, low energy light bulbs and other energy saving devices!

So if you are looking for ways to lower your bills hopefully you will find lots of ideas and products to help at Lower Your Bills

Lower Your Bills – Energy-Sucking Electric Equipment Exposed

If you are looking to Lower your Bills then you will probably want to know that electric appliances and equipment use electricity even when they are not in use? This sort of energy use is variously called phantom load, standby power, vampire power, and leaking electricity.

It’s uncertain as to why manufacturers have not found solutions for this problem of electrical leakage; but the fact remains that unused appliances do in fact “suck” electricity. While it is a small amount, if you have a large number of appliances it can add up. Here are some examples of electric equipment that continually sap energy when not in use.

* Microwaves – These convenient ovens have a lighted screen with a digital clock display when you’re not using it. It takes power to keep the numbers lit.

* Cordless phones and answering machines – Both of these pieces of equipment remain in “standby mode,” awaiting a telephone call. They also have display screens that are never off.

* Cell phone chargers – Even when your charger is not plugged into your cell phone, it is using electricity. Have you ever noticed your charger becoming warm even when it is just plugged into the wall?

* Stoves – Like microwaves, many modern stoves have lighted displays that show the time.

* Computers, desk top and laptop – Do you turn your computer screen off as well as your computer hard drive? If not, the screen remains in standby mode and is using power. Turning off the hard drive and leaving it plugged in also uses a small amount of electricity. Laptops, left plugged in, are continually using power to charge their batteries.

* Power adapters- If your equipment’s power adapter does not have an “off” switch, it is using power even when it is plugged into the wall and not into the equipment.

* Routers – If you have a wireless system in your home, the router is always using power as it transmits its wireless signal.

* DVD players and VCRs – These small appliances remain in standby mode constantly, even when turned off, so that they can received a remote control signal at any time. They often have the ubiquitous digital clock display that is continually lit.

* Televisions – Of course, your television needs to be ready to respond to a remote control at any time, so it remains on standby, sucking power.

* Stereos – Many stereos also have lighted screen displays that use electricity, and if they are remote-control compatible then they are always on standby.

* Hand-held vacuum cleaner – These are handy, but the constant charging from wall to vacuum draws power.

The above appliances are small and not subject to energy-efficient regulations the way major appliances (such as refrigerators) are.

What you can do?

Simply unplugging appliances and equipment that is not in use is the easiest solution, but one that will take getting used to. It helps to plug equipment into power strips that can be switched off, thus avoiding combing the house each night to physically yank plugs. You can also get lots more ideas at Lower Your Bills

Ways to Attract Winter Wildlife to Your Garden Pond

In the winter, your garden pond is probably fairly quiet – hoses and pumps have been disconnected, and the pond itself may be frozen or drained. But there are ways to bring your garden pond to life in the winter by attracting wildlife. Here are some ways to attract wildlife to your garden pond in the winter.

1. Construct shelters

One of the things that a pond can offer is a sort of sheltered oasis for cold, hungry wildlife. Shelter is one of the things wild animals need in winter. Put up birdhouses to give birds a place out of the wind where they can roost at night. And you may find a delightful surprise in spring if the birds choose to nest there!

Rock piles are another form of shelter that do well around ponds, and may already be a part of your water-scape. Loosely pile rocks if they are not there already, and allow leaves to accumulate in and around the rock pile. This can provide shelter for ground-dwelling birds, frogs and toads, and small rodents such as chipmunks.

2. Provide drinking water

Water is a resource that is surprisingly hard to come by in winter. Most water sources are frozen or dry, so consider keeping at least some water in your pond. Since your pump and hoses are probably disassembled, you can just pour in a bit of water. Use warm water to thaw any ice, or use an electric warmer. A reliable water source will attract all kinds of wildlife, from birds and squirrels to deer.

3. Food

Food is also scarce in winters, especially in harsh climates with a great deal of snow. You can hang a traditional bird feeder around your pond, or set out a shallow dish of food. Depending on the method of feeding, you can attract chipmunks, squirrels, deer, and birds to your pond.

Remember that high-fat foods are especially beneficial in winter, and include fatty seeds and grains like sunflower seeds, peanuts, and corn. You can also mix dried fruits, grains and nuts with suet or leftover kitchen fats (such as bacon, sausage, or chicken fat chilled until solid) and smear it on your rock pile or food plate.

4. Shrubs

Evergreen shrubs are an excellent shelter for wildlife in the winter, and they look lovely around a pond. Plant American holly for a protective, bristly shelter for birds – its red berries also provide food. Hardy rose bushes provide juicy, red rosehips (berries) in cold weather. Deer are attracted to shrubs that bear berries as well. White spruce and balsam fir are also favorites among wildlife for shelter.

If you provide these things around your pond, you may be able to view species you have never seen before, such as grouse. Your pond area can be a wonderful oasis for a variety of wildlife, providing needed food and shelter for the animals and viewing pleasure for you.