Request Your FREE Solar Estimate!

Yardley Voice – Fifty-two Easy Ways to Save Energy

by Mark Bortman

While we all have many things to be thankful for, higher energy prices are not one of them. In case you hadn’t noticed, PECO’s electric rates just went up 6% last month. That means your electric bill is more than 20% higher than this time last year. Those of you with oil heat, it may cost more than $1000 to fill your tank to start the winter. It’s important to save energy!

Although it may seem that high utility bills are as unavoidable as death and taxes, it does not have to be that way. There are many simple, no-cost or low-cost things you can do to save energy and, in the process, save money. Many people have in their minds that saving energy means not being comfortable or living the way you are accustomed to. Again, it does not have to be that way.

In the course of my business, I have the opportunity to visit many homes and businesses and look at the way they use energy. Being an installer of solar energy systems, I would love it if everyone had a solar water heater or solar electric system installed. But, I realize that shade issues, roof orientation and financial considerations (although solar systems cost less and pay for themselves faster than many people realize) rule this out for some people. On the other hand, there are many straightforward steps people can take to increase their energy efficiency.

If there are simple, low-cost things to do, the only reasons I can come up with why people don’t do them is that either they don’t know about them or that they don’t think they are worthwhile. In an effort to spread the word about these inexpensive or free things that can be done, I am starting a blog, “52 Easy Low Cost or No Cost Ways to Save Energy.”

The address for the blog is exactsolar.com/blog.

I’ll have an entry each week. Hopefully, armed with these tips and spurred by the rise in PECO and oil costs, people will feel empowered to take action. High utility bills can be avoided!

Share this article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email