Second & Third Opinions About Vampire Power

My recent column on vampire energy -- also known as standby power -- generated well-deserved heat. Standby power is the energy wasted when electronic products are turned off, but plugged into an outlet.

Readers sharply disagreed with estimates that the average household wastes about $1,000 a year in standby power, or $4 billion annually. And they were right. Numbers from a news release were misleading.

The Department of Energy estimates that the average home in the United States ''spends $100 per year to power devices while they are off (or in standby mode),'' according to Christina Kielich, a department spokeswoman. Kielich said that nationwide about $10 billion a year is wasted in all forms of energy.

The average household in the United States spends about $1,247.52 a year on electricity, with regional differences.

Vampire power consumes 5 to 15 percent of the average bill, according to the Department of Energy, but there's considerable disagreement about electricity wasted through standby power. Nonprofit consumer groups and electronics industry experts provide standby energy estimates that range from 10 percent to 75 percent of the average electric bill. One international academic report -- ''Global Implications of Standby Power Use'' by Alan Meier of Berkeley Lab, USA -- places standby power at 1 to 25 percent.

''Standby power also appears to be growing rapidly as more appliances are built with features that lead to standby power consumption,'' according to the report.

Differing estimates may be due to a shifting definition of standby power. The category typically includes energy burned by the small lights, clocks, keypads and internal computers programmed into many devices.

Some industry experts broadly include water heaters and refrigerators, which are constantly running. Additionally, I've also seen calculations that include computers that are in the ''sleep mode'' and battery-charging gadgets that are left plugged into a wall after portable devices have been tucked away.

But what does this mean for the consumer? The Department of Energy recommends that we should look for appliances with the Energy Star label. Additionally, the government recommends using power strips that can be easily turned off when appliances are not used. And, of course, you can simply unplug appliances that are not in use.

Consumer beware: That advice also has critics. It can be time-consuming to constantly disconnect unused devices and to reprogram electronic clocks after every use, some argue.
Conceptually, this sounds like a useful tip.

In practice, the actual savings are minuscule and not worth the effort of constantly plugging and unplugging appliances in, said Michael Gibbons, a reader from Bellevue, Wash.



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Saving Money & Energy Around The Home: Tips From Appliance Makers

This news release from The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers offers great money-saving tips:

"Looking for ways to save money? Look no further than your kitchen. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) offers these simple energy savings tips to consumers looking for ways to cut energy bills this summer.

Refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers combined account for a 43% decrease in energy consumption since 2000. Replacing an eight-year old refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer with new appliances of average efficiency will save consumers about $95 per year in energy bills.

Replacing an eight-year-old clothes washer will save more than $60 in electricity costs and nearly 5,000 gallons of water per year. Additional savings can be obtained by purchasing Energy Star appliances.

Energy savings can also be obtained by following these easy tips:

· If you are replacing your refrigerator, do not use the old refrigerator as a second refrigerator. This will not yield energy savings. Properly recycle the appliance. To find recycling options in your area, call 1-800-YES-1-CAN.

· Allow hot foods to cool before placing them in the refrigerator; and always cover foods that may release moisture in the refrigerator.

· Limit opening the refrigerator and freezer doors. Label foods or use clear food storage bags to easily identify foods.

· Scrape, but do not pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Dishwashers do a great job of cleaning soiled dishes.

· Take advantage of your dishwasher’s “eco” option that reduces water use, or use a no-heat air dry feature.

· Use load size settings- if you are washing a small load of clothing, be sure to change the load setting. Use cold water settings whenever possible.

· Always clean the lint filter on the clothes dryer after each use. A clogged filter will reduce dryer performance.

More information on energy savings can be found on AHAM’s web site www.aham.org."

A Frugal, Flexible & Creative Gift Registry: Community Group Offers Free Alternatives for Gifts

Wedding guests spend about $19 billion annually on gifts selected from bridal registries, according to The Knot, a wedding planning resource.

There are ways to get the gifts you want, be it for a bridal shower or baby shower, and let the givers be frugal and green.

Hardware stores and specialty stores are two options for unusual gift registries. Another is the Alternative Gift Registry from the consumer group Center for a New American Dream.

Registration is free and users can request merchandise from any retailer such as an energy-efficient toaster from Target, organic-cotton sheets from Bloomingdales or a handmade vase from a small gallery.

But whether you sign up for the Alternative Gift Registry at http://www.newdream.org/ or generate your own wish list to e-mail to your friends, the site provides a wealth of gift ideas.

For weddings, consider:
• Recipe cards: Engaged couples request recipes for easy-to-prepare meals that can be cooked in a crock pot or in simple steps.
• Green appliances: Couples can direct wedding guests to the federal Energy Star website, (http://www.energystar.gov/) for a list of energy-efficient appliances, their names and model numbers. Use search engines to locate places where they're sold.

For baby gifts, consider:
• Used clothes: New Dream's registry lets parents request gently used clothing for infants and toddlers.
• Baby-sitting services: Use the registry to line up friends and relatives to help out for date nights and other outings. Specify an amount of hours and the registry will let browsers know when the time quota has been filled.
• Meals: With a new baby, who has time to cook? The registry provides space for home cooks to sign up to provide new parents one or more free meals.

This is from my latest column in the home & design section of the Miami Herald.

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Saving Power & Money with Solar Energy

The push to live green and save money is giving solar-powered gadgets and home systems a boost. Appliances charged by the sun provide an alternative source of energy, especially during power outages and emergencies.

Here's an overview of a few popular solar-operated products:

• Portable solar chargers: ''Solar chargers that charge batteries, mobile phones, digital cameras cut down your electric bill and/or extend the life of your batteries,'' says Stephanie Welbes, author of ' The Cheap Diva, a weekly blog. Welbes likes a $60 solar charger by Freeloader, which can recharge cellphones, digital cameras and portable music players. The device is sold by Solar Technology through eBay. Solar Style (http://www.solarstyle.com/) and NRG Dock (http://www.nrgdock.com/) make similar products



• Homewide systems: Solar panels or modules, installed on a roof or near the home, collect energy from the sun, which is then converted into electricity. The cost ranges from $125 to $800 per panel.



• Solar appliances: Home Depot sells outdoor accents lights for the home that cost between $30 (for a set of four small lights) to $284 (for a solar-powered lamppost).
  ''Solar-powered flashlights and calculators are just two examples of solar-powered electronic devices that save money by eliminating the need to buy and replace batteries altogether,'' Welbes said. The equipment is charged in sunlight and will run for hours on one charge. Solar-powered flashlights, great for camping, cost about $10 to $30. Solar calculators and flashlights are sold at hardware stores and office supply stores.

This is from my latest column in the home & design section of the Miami Herald.
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Redecorating the Bathroom to Save Money

To save water and energy, I'm giving my bathroom a makeover that will include a new clock and a shower head. There are also various municipal programs that will underwrite a portion of the bathroom makeover if I opt for water-efficient appliances.

A clock for the bathroom is one of several conservation tips from Water -- Use It Wisely, a global water-education program. A clock will remind us to limit showers to less than five minutes, thus saving 1,000 gallons a water a month.

Our family underwent the online Family Water Audit at www.wateruseitwisely.com and scored an encouraging 25 out of 36 points.

Meanwhile, government incentive programs encourage the use of water-efficient appliances and fixtures. Miami-Dade County is offering $100 rebates to consumers who install high efficiency toilets (HETs), which range in cost from $100 to $750, according to Maribel Balbin, a county water efficiency manager. Replacing older toilets with an HET can save up to 29 gallons of water a day. In other parts of the country, there are similar programs. Check with your local government.

Miami-Dade will also replace residents' old shower heads with a new water-efficient appliance. Stop by a local office with your old shower heads (up to two) for replacements. Call 311 for the closest location.

In the Keys, the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority has various money-saving incentives for consumers, including a toilet exchange program that offers a $100 rebate for consumers who purchase water-efficient units, said Kerry Shelby, deputy director of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority.

This is from my latest column in the home & design section of the Miami Herald.

4 Cheap Safety Fixes for the Home from Washington Post

It doesn't have to cost a lot to make your home safer, according to the Washington Post. Cheap fixes include non-skid pads under the rug.

(The AARP also has super cheap solution for slippery carpets; see below). Here's the link to the full article, (Washington Post),which was based on information from The National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH).

My own list includes:

1. An extended (higher) metal lip near sliding glass doors. A higher lip prevents water from leaking in from a sliding glass door during a storm.

2. Decals on glass doors. Prevents major accidents.

3. Constantly monitor batteries in smoke alarm.

4. Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen to quickly put out pan fires.

Here are a few helpful links:

How to Make Your Home Safe for Children

AARP Releases Ten Tips to Make Homes Safer

The AARP list includes 10 low-cost safety tips. Here's a sample:

• Install handrails on both sides of all steps (inside and outside);



• Secure all carpets and area rugs with double-sided tape;



• Install easy-to-grasp shaped handles for all drawers and cabinet doors;



• Use brighter bulbs in all settings;



• Install nightlights in all areas of night activity



• Add reflective, non-slip tape on all non-carpeted stairs

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Guest Post: "Don’t Invite the Plumber to Thanksgiving Dinner"

Here's a guest post about avoiding costly plumbing woes on Thanksgiving. It's from a news release I received with helpful tips about avoiding repair costs.

How to Avoid the Plumber on What Might Be a Day of
“Disasters”

Thanksgiving Day doesn’t often bring immediate thoughts of garbage disposals, plungers and plumbers. But for many, it quickly becomes the reality when a standard kitchen gets put into overdrive while a Thanksgiving feast is being prepared.

“Thanksgiving Day is a time for family, friends and lots of food. However, that’s a recipe that could end up with an unexpected guest – the plumber,” said David Lupberger, ServiceMagic.com’s Home Improvement Expert, repeating his annual warning. “Thanksgiving can be one of the busiest days of the year for plumbing
emergencies.”


Lupberger says the garbage disposal is the main source of most Thanksgiving and holiday plumbing problems.

“During hours and hours of cooking, either too much waste gets thrown down the disposal or items are discarded that can’t be broken down by the disposal,” Lupberger said.

Lupberger offers these tips to avoid holiday plumbing issues:

· Make sure that everyone helping in the kitchen knows what can go into the disposal and what should not. Corn husks, grease, bones, potato skins, egg shells and lettuce are all common Thanksgiving Dinner byproducts that may lead to problems. (Frugal Duchess comment: I have a friend who uses egg shells and other food by-products to fertilize her garden. Coffee grinds are also good on soil.)

· Don’t put too much down the disposal at once. Run your disposal several times to clear out smaller amounts of waste instead of trying to clear everything at once.

· Since a typical household of four people can swell to more than a dozen, make sure all the visiting children know what shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet. With that many people making trips to the bathroom, your plumbing may be distressed in general!

Not only are T-Day plumbing emergencies an enormous inconvenience, but they could also be pricey. Plumbers don’t typically come cheap on a holiday.

“They’re leaving their homes to come to your home to take care of a problem,” Lupberger said. “That means you might expect to pay a lot more for something that might have been avoided.”

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Expert Storage Tips for Saving Money With Your Frig

An organized refrigerator saves time and money. Smart cooking habits lengthen the life of your frig, as does proper storage. Here are a few tips from the pros.


• Use the crisper. Leaving fruits and vegetables on open shelves is a recipe for limp and spoiled produce, according to Paul Leuthe, corporate marketing manager for Sub-Zero appliances. A steady stream of cold air, great for other foods, is deadly for produce. ''Air dries things out,'' Leuthe says. In contrast, the ''crisper'' drawer helps fruits and vegetables stay crisp longer by providing higher humidity.


• Isolate and segregate. Randomly tossing fruits and veggies into the same bin can be wasteful, say the experts at Sub-Zero. Many fruits -- apples, melons, apricots, figs and bananas -- produce ethylene, a gas that hastens ripening. Ethylene makes most vegetables spoil faster, so store fruits and vegetables in separate bags or drawers. ''Wash them, put them in bags and keep them isolated,'' Leuthe says.


• Reconsider the door. It's tempting to store milk, eggs and other high-use items in the door. Think twice about putting highly perishable products there because the door has the greatest temperature fluctuation and agitation. Both shorten a food's shelf life.


• Maximize multilevel storage. Hot air rises. Foods needing cooler temperatures should be on the lower shelves. Use the upper ones for items less prone to spoil.


• Don't crowd. An over-packed refrigerator reduces the flow of air. With reduced circulation, the unit becomes less energy-efficient and more prone to frost and freezer burn.


• Reduce humidity. Your refrigerator will work more efficiently if you keep a lid on moisture in the kitchen.


This is from my latest column in the home & design section of the Miami Herald.
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When to Repair; When to Replace Appliances

We depend on home appliances. They fill our kitchens, laundry rooms and garages. Since it's hard to live without them, here's a guide to determine if an appliance should be replaced or repaired:

• Age: Most washers, refrigerators, dryers and stoves have a 10- to 15-year life. If your home appliance is less than 10 years old, paying for a repair may be a good investment, says Mike Kozlowski, an appliance expert at Sears.

• Cost: A repair should not cost more that 50 percent to 60 percent of the price of a new appliance. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers suggests getting a repair estimate that includes parts, labor and other fees. Also test the outlets and fuses in your home; the appliance may not be faulty.

• Calculate total replacement costs: Don't stop with price tags when comparing replacement vs. repair. Consider installation, delivery and other charges.

• Include ''wild-card'' factors: How will a replacement match or complement existing fixtures in your kitchen or laundry room? If your kitchen appliances are all stainless steel, it's better to purchase a matching replacement when shopping for a new dishwasher, oven or a refrigerator. If the right match -- in look, fit and feel -- is difficult to find, the repair option might be wiser. Mismatched appliances typically lower the resale value of a home, Kozlowski says.

• Compare energy savings: New products may use up to 70 percent less energy than older models. Therefore, lower energy bills could offset the cost of a replacement.

• Free advice: Appliance repair advice is available online at manageyourhome.com and at www.aham.org.

This is from my latest column in the Home & Design Section of the Miami Herald.
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Vinegar & Dishwashers: Tips From MomAdvice in Miami Herald Column

Who doesn't want to save time and effort in the kitchen? Amy Allen Clark, founder of MomAdvice.com and representative for a national cleaning products company, has developed of number of money-saving cleaning tips.

Here are the tips she shared with me:

• Use vinegar as a rinse. There's no need to buy fancy products for the rinse cycle of your dishwasher, because vinegar works just as well, Clark says. For newer models, pour a quarter cup of vinegar into the rinse dispenser. For models without a rinse dispenser, add a quarter cup of vinegar to the door dispenser during the first rinse cycle, which should be indicated by a dial or panel on the outside of your machine. For really old dishwashers, listen for the sound changes. During the rinse cycle, the vinegar will circulate and remove residue. ''Vinegar is great for removing spots on dishes,'' Clark says.

• Vinegar can clean your dishwasher. Place a bowl with two cups of vinegar upright on the lower rack. Then run the empty dishwasher without detergent to thoroughly clean the interior.

• Step-savers during cooking. ''Make sure your dishwasher is empty when you prepare a meal,'' Clark says. An empty dishwasher encourages a clean-as-you-go mentality, saving time in the long run. As you cook, lightly rinse off utensils before loading them. You'll have less to clean after dinner and less heavy-duty scrubbing.

• Soak dishes during meals. Fill a sink or plastic tub with cold water and dishwashing detergent. During cooking and dining, soak sticky or especially dirty pans or dishes. This process reduces cleanup.

• Use cooking sprays. A spritz of nonstick cooking spray in pans before cooking makes dishwashing easier. Cooking sprays also help prevent food stains in plastic containers.

This is from my latest Frugal Duchess column in the Miami Herald.
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Cutting Dishwasher Costs: Tips from a Sears Expert

Here are easy ways to extend the life and efficiency of dishwashers, which typically last eight to 15 years.

• Check the filters. The filters, which trap or catch excess food, are at the base (interior floor) of the dishwasher. ''Always make sure the filters are clean after every load,'' said Mike Kozlowski, director of product quality and support for Sears.

• Prevent rust. Examine the tines that hold dishes in place. Look for tines that are nicked or damaged under the rubber coating. Faulty tines could leave rust stains on dishes or break off and damage the pump.

You can fix the damaged tines with rack repair kits sold in the repair section of appliance stores or at major hardware stores. You can also purchase replacement dish racks.

• Inspect the spray arms, which are in the floor or ceiling of the appliance. A buildup of food or detergent can block holes in the arms, preventing the even distribution of water during the cleaning cycle.

• Remove large food particles from dishes, but let the dishwasher do the rest. For example, clear away the French fries, but don't worry about the dried ketchup stain on the plate, even if you run a load only once a day. This strategy will save water, energy and effort.

''Some people literally clean their dishes before putting them in the dishwasher,'' Kozlowski said.

Don't make that mistake.

• Speed the process. Cycles are often prolonged so that machines can fill up with hot water. For instance, the dishwasher will continue to run water until the water is hot enough to begin a new wash cycle. To conserve time and energy, Kozlowski recommends running hot water for 10 seconds in the sink adjacent to the dishwasher before turning on the machine. This gives the dishwasher a head start by warming the water in the pipes and shortening the running time for the machine.

This is from my most recent column in the Miami Herald.
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My Latest Miami Herald Column: How To Get the Most from Home Appliances

The air conditioner groans; the refrigerator leaks and the dryer is overheated. Avoid those problems through preventive measures, according to Mike Koszlowski, director of product quality and support at Sears.

Preventive care begins with the instructions in the owner's manual, which has many tips for getting the most from your appliances. If you have lost the user's instructions (for Sears products or other popular brands), go to: www.managemyhome.com, which has a library of instructions you can download for free. The site also has home appliance tips.

That's how my latest column in the Miami Herald begins. Here's the link to the Sunday paper, where my column now runs.

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