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	<title>How to Reduce Home Energy Bills</title>
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	<link>http://reducehomeenergybills.com</link>
	<description>Energy Auditing  Energy Management  Energy Behaviors</description>
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		<title>Can You Reduce Home Energy Bills From Your Kitchen-Part 2</title>
		<link>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/08/26/can-you-reduce-home-energy-bills-from-your-kitchen-part-2/</link>
		<comments>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/08/26/can-you-reduce-home-energy-bills-from-your-kitchen-part-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 25 Aug 2012 23:52:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Batkin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Appliances]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy prices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to reduce home energy bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reduce Home Energy Bills]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tomb.uibc5.com/?p=113</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With energy prices escalating, where better to start to reduce home energy bills than in the heart of the home &#8211; the kitchen. We use it several times each and every day and our actions in the kitchen during those &#8230; <a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/08/26/can-you-reduce-home-energy-bills-from-your-kitchen-part-2/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With energy prices escalating, where better to start to <strong>reduce home energy bills</strong> than in the heart of the home &#8211; the kitchen. We use it several times each and every day and our actions in the kitchen during those times can either increase or <em>reduce home energy bills</em>. All it takes is a little bit of thought and planning to consume less energy and save money as you <em>reduce home energy bills</em> from your kitchen.</p>
<h1><span style="font-size: x-large">Oven<a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/wall-oven.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-122" height="150" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/wall-oven-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
</span></h1>
<ol>
<li>- Plan your activities and bake/cook multiple items while the oven is hot</li>
<li>- Use the oven more in winter and seldomly in summer as it will contribute to your homes overall warmth</li>
<li>- After using the oven in winter, let it cool with the door open to add warmth to the home</li>
<li>- Look through the door rather than opening the door to see how the cooking is<br />
progressing. Every time you open the door heat escapes ( the temperature inside can drop up to 20 degrees) and then more energy is required to return the oven back to temperature.</li>
<li>- Turn the oven off a few minutes early but leave the food in there for the full time &#8211; the<br />
food will continue to cook but you wont pay for as much energy!</li>
<li><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/barbecue-grill.png"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-123" height="150" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/barbecue-grill-150x150.png" width="150" /></a>- In summer consider using your gas BBQ for a change which will reduce the amount of<br />
heat produced indoors and will reduce your electricity bills</li>
</ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Stove</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>- Use a gas stove top kettle rather than an electric kettle<span id="more-113"></span></li>
<li>- Try cooking in 1 pot more often &#8211; casseroles, stir fry etc rather than the traditional meat and 3 veg which is typically cooked in 4 different pots on 4 different heating <a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Gas-kettle.png"><img alt="" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-124" height="150" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Gas-kettle-150x150.png" width="150" /></a>elements</li>
<li>- Put lids on your pots and saucepans to heat them faster with less energy required and this will also keep the heat in and reduce cooking times.</li>
<li>- Choose appropriate sized pots for the cooking elements you are using</li>
<li>- Centre pots and pans over the hot plate to ensure even heat distribution and maximum transfer of heat to the pot or pan.</li>
<li>-Using a pressure cooker not only cooks and tenderizes your food faster, and uses less energy in the process.</li>
<li>-Keep the gas burner rings clean from grease and grime by regularly cleaning the hotplate. This results in even gas flow for even burn and heat distribution for more efficient cooking.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Microwave</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/microwave-oven.png"><img alt="" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-125" height="150" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/microwave-oven-150x150.png" width="150" /></a>-Your microwave oven not only cooks food quickly but it is very efficient, use the microwave oven to heat food instead of the oven to save energy.</li>
<li>-The microwave oven cooks all the food inside the space, so regularly clean the inside of the microwave oven to remove food stains, to allow the microwave to run at maximum efficiency.</li>
</ol>
<p>Follow the tips above and in no time youʼll <em>reduce home energy bills</em>.</p>
<p>Be Safe and Be Green</p>
<p>Please comment and share your thoughts and experiences below on how to <span style="text-decoration: underline">reduce home energy bills</span>&gt;&gt;&gt;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Can You Reduce Home Energy Bills From Your Kitchen-Part 1</title>
		<link>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/08/20/can-you-reduce-home-energy-bills-from-your-kitchen-part-1/</link>
		<comments>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/08/20/can-you-reduce-home-energy-bills-from-your-kitchen-part-1/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 19 Aug 2012 23:45:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Batkin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Appliances]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Energy management tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy consumption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy saving tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home energy bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to reduce home energy bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reduce Home Energy Bills]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tomb.uibc5.com/?p=112</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With energy prices escalating, where better to start to reduce home energy bills than in the heart of the home &#8211; the kitchen. We use it several times each and every day and our actions in the kitchen during those &#8230; <a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/08/20/can-you-reduce-home-energy-bills-from-your-kitchen-part-1/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Fridge.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-116" height="150" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Fridge-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a>With energy prices escalating, where better to start to <strong>reduce home energy bills</strong> than in the heart of the home &#8211; the kitchen. We use it several times each and every day and our actions in the kitchen during those times can either increase or <em>reduce home energy bills</em>. All it takes is a little bit of thought and planning to consume less energy and save money as you <em>reduce home energy bills</em> from your kitchen.</p>
<h1><span style="font-size: x-large">Fridge / Freezer</span></h1>
<p>Your fridge is likely to be one of the largest energy consumers in your entire home.<br />
Changing your behaviors can signiﬁcantly decrease your fridges energy consumption<br />
and therefore reduce home energy bills. Here are some tips to get you started:</p>
<ol>
<li>- Keep it full &#8211; but with enough room for air to circulate inside the fridge.</li>
<li><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Empty-fridge.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft  wp-image-117" height="125" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Empty-fridge-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a>- Choose an appropriate sized fridge &#8211; thereʼs no point purchasing a giant double door<br />
fridge if youʼll never use all of the space. Over-sized, underﬁlled fridges waste energy by<br />
cooling empty space and the overall cooling effect of the existing items doesnʼt contribute to this cooling effect</li>
<li>- Optimize the temperature &#8211; Keep the refrigerator section at between 2C and 5C (36 to<br />
42° F) and the freezer at -18C (0° F). These temperatures help ensure food safety and<br />
lowering the temperatures any further only wastes power.</li>
<li>- Check the seal. If the seal is not actually making a tight seal then you are wasting energy<br />
and money through that gap.</li>
<li>- Wait until food has cooled before adding it to the fridge or freezer .</li>
<li>- Minimize the time that the door is open.<a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/stop-watch.gif"><img alt="" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-119" height="150" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/stop-watch-150x150.gif" width="150" /></a></li>
<li>- When cooking get all ingredients out of the fridge at once and then put them all<br />
away at the same time after youʼve ﬁnished to avoid constantly opening the door<br />
for each individual ingredient.</li>
<li>- Add to your shopping list whenever you use the last of something so you donʼt<br />
have to stand with the fridge door open ﬁguring out what you need when it comes<br />
time to go grocery shopping<span id="more-112"></span></li>
<li>- Be prepared. Consider what you actually want before opening the fridge door<br />
rather than making a decision after youʼve opened the door while the fridge is<br />
warming up.</li>
<li> -Keep your fridge organized so you know exactly where everything goes so you<br />
can reduce time with the door open either looking for things or putting things away</li>
<li>-Make sure that your fridge/freezer has enough ventilation space around it for air circulation</li>
<li><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Fridge-oven.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-118" height="150" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Fridge-oven-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a>-Position your fridge/freezer away from heat sources like ovens, stoves and heating vents.</li>
</ol>
<p>Follow the energy saving tips above and in no time youʼll <em>reduce home energy bills</em>.</p>
<p>Be Safe and Be Green</p>
<p>Please comment and share your thoughts and experiences below on how to<span style="text-decoration: underline"> reduce home energy bills</span>&gt;&gt;&gt;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Solar Panels?? Do I Reduce Home Energy Bills By Connecting To The Grid?</title>
		<link>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/08/07/solar-panels-do-i-reduce-home-energy-bills-by-connecting-to-the-grid/</link>
		<comments>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/08/07/solar-panels-do-i-reduce-home-energy-bills-by-connecting-to-the-grid/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Aug 2012 22:25:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Batkin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Energy management tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environmental info]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Off the grid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solar panels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[battery bank]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electrical supply]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electricity bill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy retailer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy usage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fuel cells]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[generator]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grid Connected]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grid connected solar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home energy bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inverter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Off the Grid system]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reduce Home Energy Bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solar]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tomb.uibc5.com/?p=108</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Find us on Google+ Q:Do you connect your solar system  to the grid so that you can sell your solar energy back to your energy retailer?  Or do you store your solar energy onsite by connecting your system to a &#8230; <a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/08/07/solar-panels-do-i-reduce-home-energy-bills-by-connecting-to-the-grid/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://plus.google.com/117340796930625413978" rel="publisher">Find us on Google+</a><br />
<strong>Q:Do you connect your solar system  to the grid so that you can sell your solar energy back to your energy retailer?  Or do you store your solar energy onsite by connecting your system to a battery bank?</strong></p>
<h4>Will you <strong>reduce home energy bills</strong> if you sell excess solar energy to the grid when you can store it?</h4>
<p><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/solar-energy-free-power-house.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-101" height="150" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/solar-energy-free-power-house-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a>Any excess power which your Photo Voltaic(PV) system (Solar Panels) generates will get sold back to the energy retailer via the grid.  Check with your energy retailer or a local installer to find out what the buy-back rates are in your state or country.  But just to give you an example in Queensland, Australia, if you had a system installed prior to 9th July 2012 you would get paid 44c per kW and you pay 21c a kW, so doing the math to <em>reduce home energy bills</em>, I believe it&#8217;s better to sell your additional power at  44c per KWH,  than to save 21c per KWH by storing it onsite.</p>
<h4><strong>Q: Do solar panels produce energy for your home if there is a blackout on the grid?</strong></h4>
<p><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Conergy-Invertor.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-109" height="150" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Conergy-Invertor-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a>No, and the reason is that your grid connected solar inverter requires a 240v supply to operate and is designed to automatically cut off in the unlikely event of a black out. This prevents your panels feeding power back into the grid during a blackout, for the safety of any electrician who is trying to repair the fault on the grid.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Q:Do Battery back up solar systems also have their advantages?<span id="more-108"></span><br />
</strong></p>
<p>Yes. If you are in remote areas where grid connected power is not available, or if you have multiple blackouts and a back up generator isn’t an option then a battery back up solar system is a definite advantage.  Or maybe you live in a bushfire prone area in which case battery back up solar would be advantageous in case of power blackouts leading in to high fire danger periods or during actual bushfires.</p>
<p><strong>Q: By having a Battery back up solar system are there any disadvantages compared to a grid connected  solar system?</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>You need to have a shed or enclosure to house all of the batteries with adequate ventilation<a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/solar_gel_batteries.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignright  wp-image-110" height="145" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/solar_gel_batteries-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a></li>
<li>Your batteries need regular scheduled  maintenance</li>
<li>Depending on the batteries, they may need to be replaced every three years or so (fuel cells in the near future will eliminate this problem)</li>
<li>An Off the Grid (stand alone) system requires a few more electrical components than a grid connected system</li>
</ol>
<p>To install an off the Grid (stand alone) system you will require an experienced stand-alone solar expert to design your system taking into account key factors like your location, your energy usage and your budget. It may take longer initially to get set up and the financial outlay may be more, but in the long run you may not have any energy bills and you will not have to rely on an energy retailer for an electrical supply.</p>
<p><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/utility-bills-2.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft  wp-image-111" height="76" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/utility-bills-2-150x150.jpg" width="85" /></a>If you are thinking of making an investment in solar panels, it is important to consider the payback period of your financial outlay. So, depending on your location, installing solar panels may <strong>reduce home energy bills</strong> or, in some cases, it may eliminate your electricity bill. Hopefully you can now see the some of the advantages and disadvantages of a grid connected solar system compared to a stand alone system.</p>
<p>Be Green and Be Safe</p>
<p>Tom Batkin</p>
<p>We love to engage with our community, so please share your thoughts, comments and experiences below on <span style="text-decoration: underline">how to reduce home energy bills</span>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How to Reduce Home Energy Bills By Choosing The Right Appliances</title>
		<link>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/08/04/how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-by-choosing-the-right-appliances/</link>
		<comments>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/08/04/how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-by-choosing-the-right-appliances/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 04 Aug 2012 05:12:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Batkin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Appliances]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Energy management tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Filters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Off the grid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solar panels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[appliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy behaviors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy consumption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy-efficient]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grid Connected]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[harvested rainwater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to reduce home energy bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[off the grid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[power consumption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reduce energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reduce energy consumption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reduce Home Energy Bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Smart meter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solar Hot Water System]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[solar panels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water consumption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water tanks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tomb.uibc5.com/?p=98</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On the weekend we had to buy a new washing machine and we needed to be mindful of how we would reduce home energy bills, so we went to a few retailers to choose a washing Machine. A few of &#8230; <a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/08/04/how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-by-choosing-the-right-appliances/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/washing-machine.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft  wp-image-103" height="188" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/washing-machine.jpg" width="219" /></a>On the weekend we had to buy a new washing machine and we needed to be mindful of how we would <span style="text-decoration: underline">reduce home energy bills</span>, so we went to a few retailers to choose a washing Machine. A few of the challenges we faced were that as we live off the grid, we need to be conscious  of power consumption and water consumption due to the limited capacity of our supply sources. This is also critical to consider if you are connected to the grid and want or need to reduce home energy bills.</p>
<p><strong>Electrical</strong></p>
<p>There were a couple of key questions that we need to ask the assistant as our electricity supply is generated from solar panels. The key questions we asked the sales assistant were as follows:</p>
<p><strong>Q: What is the energy rating/electrical requirements of the washing machine?</strong></p>
<p>The energy rating varies significantly from model to model. It is important to know the energy rating, especially if you have a limited power supply, as you can use this to estimate the machines energy usage for the year compared to your estimated yearly output from your solar panels. The higher the star rating the more energy efficient your appliance is so choose the highest rated model possible. This will keep your demand low which is important whether you&#8217;re living off the grid or are grid connected and simply want to reduce home energy bills.<a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/solar-energy-free-power-house.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignright  wp-image-101" height="161" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/solar-energy-free-power-house.jpg" width="175" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Q: Does this washing machine model have a time delay function?</strong></p>
<p>This is not a standard feature so it&#8217;s important to ask if you want to reduce home energy bills or reduce your demand from an off grid system. If you are Grid Connected and  have an off peak tariff or Smart meter , this is very useful to <strong>reduce home energy bills</strong>, as you will be able to set your machine to run during the off peak time at the cheaper KWH rate. If you are off the grid and have a Solar Hot Water System and solar panels , you would want to use the machine during the day when the sun is shining.<span id="more-98"></span></p>
<p><strong>Water</strong></p>
<p>There were a couple of key questions that we needed to ask as our water supply is from harvested rainwater in water tanks. The key questions we asked the sales assistant were as follows:</p>
<p><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Rain-Water-Tanks-all-016.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft  wp-image-102" height="126" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Rain-Water-Tanks-all-016.jpg" width="168" /></a><strong>Q: Can the machine be used with tank water?</strong></p>
<p>The machine we selected can be connected to tank water, but it was suggested  to use a filter with the tank water. The assistant also suggested not to use bore water with the machine due to some bore water having high levels of minerals. Although this doesn&#8217;t directly help you to reduce home energy bills this one little question could save you money on servicing and early replacement of appliances.</p>
<p><strong>Q: Is the a minimum water pressure required to run the machine?</strong></p>
<p>As we are not connected to mains pressure this was an important question to ask. We were able to select a machine that has a regulator on the back of the machine to detects and regulate the water pressure. If the pressure is low the machine will adjust the length (time) of the cycle to allow the machine to fill with water. This may allow you to fill directly from the tank without using a pump which will help to reduce home energy bills.</p>
<p><strong>Q: Is there a maximum pressure limit for the machine?</strong></p>
<p>Our tank water is pumped to the house so it was important to know whether high water pressure could somehow damage the machine, reducing its lifespan or increasing servicing costs, but again we were reassured that the regulator on the back of the machine detects and regulates the water pressure. If the pressure is high the machine will regulate the water pressure to allow the machine to fill with water.</p>
<p><strong>Q: How much water will the machine use per cycle?</strong></p>
<p>We selected a washing machine which uses 61Litres per wash for a 7.5kg load. The other machine we were choosing between used 69L per wash for a 7kg load so our selection saves us 8L per full load. This is important to know, especially if you have a limited supply of water. Using this you can estimate your water usage for the year compared to your yearly catchment of rain water. Remember that rainfall varies from year to year and you don&#8217;t want to have a water loving appliance in times of low rainfall so determine your supply based on a dry year. If you have a mains connected water supply, by choosing a machine with a low water consumption you will <strong>reduce home energy bills.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Q : Does the machine have hot and cold water connections or just a cold water connection?</strong></p>
<p>This is important to understand as if the machine only has a cold water connection, the machine will need to use more electricity to heat the water to the required temperature for certain wash cycles. If you use a solar hot water system or a wood burner for hot water select a washing machine that has both hot and cold water connections as this will reduce energy consumption.<a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Solar-HWS.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignright  wp-image-104" height="126" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/08/Solar-HWS.jpg" width="197" /></a></p>
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<p>In summary, it is very important to understand your energy behaviors and your homes capabilities  before purchasing any appliance. By combining this knowledge with some carefully selected questions you will be better equipped to purchase a washing machine that suits your needs and helps you to <em>reduce home energy bills.</em></p>
<p><strong>Be Green an Be Safe  </strong></p>
<p><strong>Tom Batkin</strong></p>
<p>Please share your thoughts,comments,tips and experiences below on <span style="text-decoration: underline">How To Reduce Home Energy Bills</span>&gt;&gt;&gt;</p>
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		<title>This is it! How to Reduce Home Energy Bills Today</title>
		<link>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/07/12/this-is-it-how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-today/</link>
		<comments>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/07/12/this-is-it-how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-today/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2012 08:02:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Batkin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Electricity]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tomb.uibc5.com/?p=83</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you wired for this? A definitive program on how to reduce home energy bills is finally here. Are you sick of paying large energy bills and not understanding why? Read on. The Green for Life Energy Savings Package has &#8230; <a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/07/12/this-is-it-how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-today/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong></strong>Are you wired for this? A definitive program on<strong> how to reduce home energy bills</strong> is finally here. Are you sick of paying large energy bills and not <a href="http://iperturbate.com/offer/"><img alt="How to Reduce Home Energy Bills" class="alignright  wp-image-55" height="136" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/06/396254_283086965087735_1947030064_n.jpg" width="136" /></a>understanding why? Read on.</p>
<p>The <span style="color: #339966">Green for Life Energy Savings Package</span> has just been launched and promises to provide practical and environmental solutions for reducing your home energy consumption. This program has been developed by expert energy auditor Tom Batkin and his team from Your Electrical Service.</p>
<p>Providing a multifaceted approach, the <span style="color: #339966">Green For Life Energy Savings Package</span> will help you to assess the energy usage in your home so that you learn exactly how to reduce home energy bills.</p>
<p><a href="http://iperturbate.com/offer/"><img alt="How to Reduce Home Energy Bills" class="alignleft  wp-image-48" height="123" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/06/ENERGY_RATING2.jpg" width="189" /></a>If you are wishing you had more available money or if you are concerned about your impact on the environment, check out the <strong><span style="color: #ff0000">limited time</span></strong> launch offer for the <span style="color: #339966">Green For Life Energy Savings Package</span> and start reducing your home energy consumption today.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H0lnhQXSrpE" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>For more information on this great new package, and to learn <a href="http://iperturbate.com/offer/">How To Reduce Home Energy Bills</a> please visit the link.</p>
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		<title>Are you paying too much? How to Reduce Home Energy Bills with a Hot New Package!</title>
		<link>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/07/12/are-you-paying-too-much-how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-with-a-hot-new-product/</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2012 05:59:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Batkin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Energy Auditing]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Are your home energy bills giving you heartburn? Would you like to know more about how to reduce home energy bills? Many householders are paying more than they need to for their energy and often don’t even know it. The &#8230; <a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/07/12/are-you-paying-too-much-how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-with-a-hot-new-product/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Are your home energy bills giving you heartburn? Would you like to know more about <strong>how to reduce home energy bills</strong>? Many householders are paying more than they need to for their energy and often don’t even know it.</p>
<p>The statistics on home energy bills are grim, with low income families in the U.S. on <a href="http://iperturbate.com/offer/"><img alt="How to Reduce Home Energy Bills" class="alignright  wp-image-81" height="130" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/07/Dollar-sign.png" width="160" /></a>average spending 20% of their incomes on energy, often increasing to 70% over the winter.<br />
Many energy companies are now providing customers with ideas for saving energy, but would you really trust them to give you advice when their primary profit is derived from selling energy?</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://iperturbate.com/offer/"><img alt="How to Reduce Home Energy Bills" class=" wp-image-15 alignleft" height="160" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/05/energy-manager.jpg" width="166" /></a>The good news is that there is a great new package being launched that will help you learn <em>how to reduce home energy bills</em>. Developed by expert home energy auditor Tom Batkin and his team, the new Green For Life Energy Saving Package will assist you to audit the energy usage in your household and teach you <span style="text-decoration: underline">how to reduce home energy bills</span>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left">
<p style="text-align: left"><strong><a href="http://iperturbate.com/offer/"><img alt="How to Reduce Home Energy Bills" class="alignright  wp-image-48" height="142" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/06/ENERGY_RATING2.jpg" width="191" /></a>Be Green an Be Safe  </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left"><strong>Tom Batkin</strong></p>
<p>Stay tuned to this site to be first in for this limited opportunity on <em>how to reduce home energy bills</em>, please share this information with your friends and family&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;</p>
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		<title>15 Secrets Your Home Would Share On How To Reduce Home Energy Bills</title>
		<link>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/07/06/15-sercets-on-how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills/</link>
		<comments>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/07/06/15-sercets-on-how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2012 14:55:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Batkin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Chaulking]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[I found this article from Don very helpful to me, it reinforced my thoughts on how to reduce home energy bills. Don has done a great job in bringing his experiences as a home energy auditor in to his article,Great &#8230; <a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/07/06/15-sercets-on-how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I found this article from Don very helpful to me, it reinforced my thoughts on <strong>how to reduce home energy bills</strong>. Don has done a great job in bringing his experiences as a home energy auditor in to his article,Great work. Articles like Don&#8217;s help consumers understand the importance of simple concepts that will reduce home energy consumption and potentially change your mindset and then your energy behaviors.</p>
<p>Home energy auditing will definitely give you a greater understanding of your home energy consumption and will also identify areas that you could improve on <em>how to reduce home energy bills</em>. Having a home energy audit completed , not only will increase your awareness , it will give you a base line to reference at future date.<a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/05/How-to-Reduce-Home-Energy-Bills.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignright  wp-image-85" height="134" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/05/How-to-Reduce-Home-Energy-Bills.jpg" width="148" /></a></p>
<p>Please enjoy the article below from Don and see how the home is talking to him. I would love to hear comments and experience about don&#8217;s article.Please find the comment form at the bottom of this post.<span id="more-73"></span></p>
<h1><strong><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;font-size: medium">15 Energy Saving Tips Your Home Would Like to Tell You</span></strong><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Don_Ames" title="EzineArticles Expert Author Don Ames"> </a><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Don_Ames" title="EzineArticles Expert Author Don Ames"> </a></h1>
<p><em> By <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Don_Ames" rel="author" title="EzineArticles Expert Author Don Ames"> Don Ames </a> </em></p>
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<h1><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Don_Ames" title="EzineArticles Expert Author Don Ames"> <img alt="Expert Author Don Ames" src="http://ezinearticles.com/members/mem_pics/Don-Ames_689013.jpg" /></a></h1>
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<p><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Don_Ames" title="EzineArticles Expert Author Don Ames">  </a></p>
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<p>You bought the home and now you&#8217;re living in it. Here&#8217;s 15 things your home would have liked to tell you about energy efficiency at home before you moved in. If only homes could talk, they would share some energy efficiency details that you might really like to know.</p>
<p>In the future, I know homes will contain technology that will allow them to become increasingly smart and automated. Someday, your home will be able to tell you when the water heater has been automatically adjusted for temperature and when there are air leaks in the attic that need to be sealed.</p>
<p>Your home will automatically close the drapes on the sunny side of the home in the summer and your home will automatically turn off the TV and the lights when everyone leaves the family room.</p>
<p>Until then, let&#8217;s just pretend your home can talk and let&#8217;s also pretend that you, as an energy conscious inhabitant, are willing to listen.</p>
<p>15 Things about Energy Efficiency That Your Home Would Like to Tell You</p>
<p>1. The ceiling insulation is turning black everywhere the air pushes through it from air leaks in the ceiling. Remember, air seal and then insulate.</p>
<p>2. Recessed lights look good, but they&#8217;re a real energy problem when their not air sealed.</p>
<p>3. The gas fireplace looks comforting, but there is a pilot light burning 24 hours a day.</p>
<p>4. There is a 2 inch round air hole in the floor behind the water heater in the bedroom closet. Seems the plumber drilled more holes than he needed. By the way, this is how the mice are getting in so they can leave little presents here and there.</p>
<p>5. The dishwasher has been leaking for years, look under the floor, the floor is rotten and the insulation is falling down. Pretty soon the kitchen floor will begin to swell and then get mushy.</p>
<p>6. The electrician drilled holes in the top plate of the walls to run the outlet and lighting wires. The holes were not air sealed and they are now allowing air leakage right through the outlets and switches directly into the attic.</p>
<p>7. The reason the floor register in the master bedroom has very little air coming through it is because the heating duct has become disconnected. The duct is now heating the crawl space instead of the bedroom.</p>
<p>8. The previous owner fixed the exterior siding by painting over the moisture damage. The thermal barrier has been compromised.</p>
<p>9. The electric water heater is producing water that is too hot. There are two thermostats on the water heater, one for each heating element &#8211; the top thermostat is set for 145 degrees and the lower element is set for 125 degrees.</p>
<p>10. The furnace actually has two filters. The furnace filter you found has been changed within the last year &#8211; the one you don&#8217;t know about has not been changed since the house was new.</p>
<p>11. The air conditioner was serviced and given a clean bill of health, but the HVAC technician decided the inside heat exchanger was too hard to get to, so it has never been cleaned.</p>
<p>12. The contractor that remodeled the bathroom and added 52 square feet forgot to add insulation in the ceiling &#8211; or he thought you wouldn&#8217;t notice.</p>
<p>13. The new jetted tub required an even larger hole in the floor to make room for the drain. The hole is still there. That&#8217;s why when you stand next to the tub your feet get cold.</p>
<p>14. The 3rd bedroom keeps growing mold along the exterior wall where the ceiling and wall meet. That&#8217;s because the insulation in the ceiling has blown back away from the exterior wall leaving a cold spot all along the wall. Yes, this is where the west wind hits the home the hardest.</p>
<p>15. The refrigerator in the garage has been there since the first owners. Just keeps getting sold with the home. Was one of the first refrigerators manufactured with an ice maker &#8211; still works. Problem is that hand-me-down refrigerator is costing you $550 per year for the convenience of having a few ice cubes in the garage.</p>
<p>Perhaps your home knows better than anyone how it can save energy, so even if your home can&#8217;t talk to you, if you&#8217;ll just pay close attention, maybe your home is using sign language about energy efficiency at home.</p>
<p>Thank you for stopping by, hope to see you soon, but I won&#8217;t leave the light on for you&#8230;</p>
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<p>Don Ames is an active and working home energy auditor that is your host at <a href="http://www.detectenergy.com" target="_new">http://www.detectenergy.com</a> and the publisher of the free e-Newsletter called the Energy Spy Insider. Visit Detect Energy and register for the newsletter, it&#8217;s free and it&#8217;s all about home energy savings.</p>
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<p>Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Don_Ames">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_Ames</a></p>
<p>Tom&#8217;s Comment</p>
<p>Firstly i would like to thank Don for taking the time to post this article. It is critical for us as energy consumers to understand our actions and the results they cause on how to reduce home energy bills. Having a baseline to compare to through-out the months and the years ahead will make it difficult to adjsust your own energy behaviors.</p>
<p>Please comment and share your experiences in the comment for below on <span style="text-decoration: underline">how to reduce home energy bills</span></p>
<p>Cheers Tom</p>
<p>Ps Be Green and Be Safe</p>
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		<title>Old School Building Materials Reduce Home Energy Bills</title>
		<link>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/07/01/old-school-building-materials-reduce-home-energy-bills/</link>
		<comments>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/07/01/old-school-building-materials-reduce-home-energy-bills/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jul 2012 03:54:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Batkin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Filters]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[In my mission to teach you how to reduce home energy bills, I am continually researching products to assist with energy efficiency, home energy management and green building products.In the article below is a building product that has been used &#8230; <a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/07/01/old-school-building-materials-reduce-home-energy-bills/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/07/icf-sketch.jpg"><img alt="How to Reduce Home Energy Bills" class="alignright size-full wp-image-62" height="213" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/07/icf-sketch.jpg" width="230" /></a>In my mission to teach you <strong>how to reduce home energy bills</strong>, I am continually researching products to assist with energy efficiency, home energy management and green building products.In the article below is a building product that has been used in building construction since the late 1960&#8242;s.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulating_concrete_form" target="_blank">Insulated Concrete Forms</a> ICF is a building method that has some great advantages. Enjoy reading this article I have found.<span id="more-60"></span></p>
<h1><strong><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;font-size: large">Discover The Many Benefits ICF Construction</span></strong></h1>
<p><em> By <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Adrianna_Noton" rel="author" title="EzineArticles Expert Author Adrianna Noton"> Adrianna Noton </a> </em></p>
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<div>Insulated concrete forms have been used as a building material since the 1960s. In recent years, however, ICF construction has become more common. The increase in the intensity and frequency of severe weather events, coupled with rising energy costs, has altered the industry perception of the insulated concrete form as an alternative material. Increasingly it is viewed as a mainstream building option.</div>
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<p>Concrete forms boast many benefits over traditional timber framed building techniques. Of particular interest to homeowners is that they can reduce energy costs and are incredibly sturdy. From the developer&#8217;s point of view they offer good design flexibility and can reduce building times. Add to this excellent fire resistance, improved sound insulation and a smattering of eco-credentials and the concrete form firmly establishes itself as the latest popular material of choice.</p>
<p>Rising energy costs are of concern to everybody. The use of insulated concrete forms can reduce home energy costs anywhere from thirty to ninety percent when compared to traditional timber framed houses. Unlike timber framed homes, they are airtight and provide continuous insulation. Additionally, the large thermal mass of the concrete enables it to absorb heat from daylight and radiate it into the home later on.</p>
<p><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/07/ICF-picture.jpg"><img alt="How to Reduce Home Energy Bills" class="alignleft" height="260" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/07/ICF-picture.jpg" width="308" /></a>Homes constructed with insulated concrete forms are homes that are built to last. In some cases they are twenty times stronger than conventional timber constructions. Their continuous unbroken shell enables them to withstand the onslaught of hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes far more successfully. Those who own concrete homes are less likely to spend their time and resources on battling wood rot, pest infestation and the development of mold.</p>
<p>Insulated concrete forms are safe and are not manufactured from hazardous or toxic materials. Furthermore they afford homes far greater protection from fire. Even when subjected to temperatures of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit for over four hours the concrete shows no sign of structural damage. Whereas a timber framed building will facilitate the rapid spread of fire from one room to the next, concrete walls contain fire. This means occupants have more time to evacuate and firefighters can do their job more easily.</p>
<p>Insulated concrete also offers good sound insulation. A concrete building may have up to four times the sound insulation rating than that achieved by those constructed from timber. Comparatively speaking, they are particularly good at dampening noises from traffic, mechanical machinery and amplified music.</p>
<p>It may be contentious to suggest that concrete is a more sustainable material than wood. Nevertheless, its value in reducing fossil fuel consumption through increased insulation should not be overlooked. There is also very little waste involved in the building process and concrete forms are recyclable.</p>
<p>Insulated Concrete Form construction allows for imaginative and bold design as it is easy to incorporate features such as curved walls and arches. A variety of exterior and interior finishes are easily applied once the concrete has been poured. The building process is simple and quick. While the cost of materials is initially high, these will soon be offset by savings in energy consumption and maintenance.<img class="alignright" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-XObZfgPcc/T0HPzZlhpMI/AAAAAAAADP8/e9M9wsguvrY/s1600/image028-701257.png" width="311" /></p>
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<p>The leading supplier of <a href="http://www.arxx.com/" target="_new">Insulated Concrete Forms</a> for energy efficient, green commercial and residential construction.</p>
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<p>Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Adrianna_Noton">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrianna_Noton</a></p>
<p>Tom&#8217;s Comments</p>
<h2>5 Disadvantages Of ICF When Considering How To Reduce Home Energy Bills</h2>
<p>Although building with ICF you can help improve your home&#8217;s energy efficiency, there are some disadvantages to using this construction method that you should consider before committing to the building of your new home.</p>
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<li>Higher Build Costs</li>
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<p>The main disadvantage to using insulated concrete forms when building a new home is the cost. When compared to a traditional wood-frame house, you can expect to pay between 5 and 10 % more in construction costs. The exact figure depends on the current price of materials like concrete, which can fluctuate, and the design of your home. While an ICF home will reduce home energy bills and save you money in the long-term because it is more energy efficient, the initial cost may be prohibitive for some budgets.</p>
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<p>Difficult to Renovate</p>
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<p>Another disadvantage with ICF homes is that they are difficult to renovate. Careful planning is required with your home&#8217;s design and the need anticipate future changes that you might want to make down the track.  To add a window or door at a later stage, you will need to cut into solid concrete walls, which is difficult,messy and time-consuming. It is also very important to make sure that you have accounted for all of the electrical and plumbing chases that you require, because adding them after construction also requires chasing into the concrete.Future proofing your home for advancing technology is a must.</p>
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<p>Takes up Floor Space</p>
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<p>If you are building a smaller home or apartment, you may have an issue with ICF construction taking up valuable floor space. Due to the walls consisting of insulation, steel reinforcing and solid concrete, they are wider than traditional walls. As a result, a significant amount of floor space may be lost to the width of an ICF wall. It will become an issue in a smaller home where you are more likely to feel the loss of space.</p>
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<p>Humidity<img alt="How to Reduce Home Energy Bills" class="alignright" height="314" src="http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/enclosures-that-work/high-r-value-wall-assemblies/high-r-foundation-13-insulated-concrete-forms-icf/images/highr13_figure_01.jpg" width="302" /></p>
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<p>Time delay once construction is complete,as immediately following construction, a home may experience problems with interior humidity due to the concrete is still in the process of curing. Once it is fully cured, the air&#8217;s moisture level should return to normal. A dehumidifier to reduce your home&#8217;s humidity, though increase your energy consumption for a short period.</p>
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<p>Insect and Water Problems</p>
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<p>The exterior foam insulation that is used may allow a route for insects and groundwater to enter the wall space. To avoid this problem, you can choose foam blocks that are pre-treated with an insecticide and designed to be waterproof. However, these blocks are usually more expensive than non-treated options, which may drive construction costs even higher.</p>
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<p>With some careful planning before constructions beings, I believe that using ICF as a construction method will definitely increase your homes energy efficiency. Using this method with other Green products like double glazing , LED lighting and energy efficient appliances , the long term benefits will be reflect in the reduction of your energy bills.</p>
<p>Be safe and be Green <a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/05/2012-06-08_1349.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-56 alignleft" height="49" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/05/2012-06-08_1349.png" width="59" /></a></p>
<p>If you would like to share your thoughts or experiences on <em>How to reduce home energy bills</em> with Insulated Concrete forms please do so below&gt;&gt;&gt;</p>
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		<title>How To Reduce Home Energy Bills- Installing Insulation</title>
		<link>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/06/24/how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-insulation-installation-proper-steps-to-getting-it-done-right/</link>
		<comments>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/06/24/how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-insulation-installation-proper-steps-to-getting-it-done-right/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 Jun 2012 03:01:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Batkin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Energy management tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy efficiency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy efficiency solutions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy saving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy saving tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home energy bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Installing insulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insulation tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reduce Home Energy Bills]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tomb.uibc5.com/?p=59</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Strategies to assist you to reduce home energy bills After watching the recent video from B&#38;Q about measuring up for insulation in the home to assist in reducing your energy consumption and becoming more energy efficient.I read this article below &#8230; <a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/06/24/how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-insulation-installation-proper-steps-to-getting-it-done-right/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1></h1>
<p><span style="font-size: large"><strong>Strategies to assist you to reduce home energy bills</strong></span></p>
<p>After watching the recent video from B&amp;Q about measuring up for insulation in the home to assist in reducing your energy consumption and becoming more energy efficient.I read this article below that i believe is very helpful and practical.</p>
<h2>Insulation Installation: Proper Steps to Getting It Done Right</h2>
<p><em> By <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amit_Thard" rel="author" title="EzineArticles Expert Author Amit Thard"> Amit Thard </a><a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/06/insulation-installer.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignright  wp-image-105" height="251" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/06/insulation-installer.jpg" width="258" /></a><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amit_Thard" rel="author" title="EzineArticles Expert Author Amit Thard"></a> </em></p>
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<div>Installing insulation in your home is not only an important task for money and energy-saving purposes, but it is also something that needs to be done the right way. No homeowner wants to have a contractor put insulation into his or her home and do a poor job. You will be spending too much money for the contractor or yourself to do this poorly and/or hastily. So what are the proper steps to getting your installation installed properly?<span id="more-59"></span></div>
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<p>A homeowner can choose to tackle this job utilizing two different methods:</p>
<ol>
<li>Hire a Contractor</li>
<li>Go the DIY (Do it Yourself) Route</li>
</ol>
<p>Either way is fine, the choice you make will depend on a number of different scenarios. If you have the extra money to spend for labor and other contractor costs, then this route is the one for you. However, if you&#8217;re a DIY homeowner, then you may want to study up and tackle the job yourself. Let&#8217;s take a quick peek at both options.<strong>Hiring the Right Contractor</strong></p>
<p>If you indeed choose to use a contractor for the insulation installation process, then the most important aspect of the process is making sure that you hire the right contractor. Many homeowners get stuck with terrible contractors, so it is vital that you understand how to hire the right contractor. You don&#8217;t want to get stuck with hidden fees, or a contractor that takes too long to complete the job. Here are some tips you want to follow. This will ensure that you hire the most professional contractor available.</p>
<ol>
<li>Make sure your project is planned out in detail before you talk to any contractors. This will prevent them from trying to hit you with unnecessary fees.</li>
<li>Have all contractors submit written bids. Interview at least three different contractors.</li>
<li>Verify that the contractors you are interviewing are licensed­-you can find out online. If they are not properly licensed, then that is an automatic red flag.</li>
<li>Ask for references and verify their payment history with other clients.</li>
<li>Ask for a copy of their contractor&#8217;s license, along with a copy of their insurance.</li>
<li>Be sure to go over every detail of the work. You want to take into account bid price, time frame, warranties, references and contractor policies.</li>
<li>When you settle on your favorite contractor, ask that they post a performance bond for the entire cost of the project.</li>
</ol>
<p>Using these techniques and strategies will allow you to make the most informed decision possible in regards to hiring a contractor.<strong>DIY Tips</strong></p>
<p>If hiring a contractor to complete the insulation installation process is not for you, then you must be a fantastic DIY guru. While installing installation properly may not be the hardest DIY job, it&#8217;s definitely not a fun DIY job either. Getting this job done on your own can be done with most of the tools that are more than likely already around your home. Other tips to remember include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Wear long pants</li>
<li>Wear long sleeves</li>
<li>Make sure you have gloves</li>
<li>Make sure you wear safety goggles (glasses)</li>
<li>Make sure you are wearing a mask to help you breath</li>
</ul>
<p>Remember, insulation is made from fiberglass, not covering yourself up correctly will lead to the insulation penetrating your skin and causing severe itching and irritation. This is something you definitely want to avoid.You can search the Web for more detailed DIY insulation tips.</p>
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<p>To find out more about <a href="http://www.Rotobrush.com" target="_new">duct cleaning</a> and its effect on airborne allergens, visit <a href="http://www.Rotobrush.com" target="_new">http://www.Rotobrush.com</a>. Rotobrush® International LLC is a market leader in providing contractors, businesses and entrepreneurs with indoor air quality and energy efficiency solutions.</p>
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<p>Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amit_Thard">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amit_Thard</a></p>
<p>Be Green and Be Safe<a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/05/2012-06-08_1349.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-56 alignleft" height="49" src="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/files/2012/05/2012-06-08_1349.png" width="59" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>We all need to implement some energy saving tips and strategies in order to learn <span style="text-decoration: underline">How to reduce home energy bills</span>.I would love for you to share your experiences or comments below on <strong>how to reduce home energy bills</strong> &gt;&gt;&gt;</p>
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		<title>How to reduce home energy bills- Measuring Insulation</title>
		<link>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/06/24/how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-insulation/</link>
		<comments>http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/06/24/how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-insulation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 Jun 2012 02:28:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tom Batkin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Energy management tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[heat dispersion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home energy bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Installing insulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lamp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Measuring Insulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recessed lights fitting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reduce Home Energy Bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roof space]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tomb.uibc5.com/?p=58</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Installing insulation is a key step to reduce home energy bills In this video , I found some very useful tips on measuring up for insulation for the roof space in your home. It is critical to have insulation in &#8230; <a href="http://reducehomeenergybills.com/2012/06/24/how-to-reduce-home-energy-bills-insulation/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1>Installing insulation is a key step to reduce home energy bills</h1>
<p>In this video , I found some very useful tips on measuring up for insulation for the roof space in your home. It is critical to have insulation in your home if you want know <em>how to reduce home energy bills</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skVbE-DJLX4">www.youtube.com/watch?v=skVbE-DJLX4</a></p>
<p>I&#8217;m grateful that B&amp;Q have taken the time to post this video, I understand that it is beneficial for them financially.This video encourages people to learn and apply  one strategy to learn<strong> how to reduce home energy bills</strong>.</p>
<p>If you taken action now and start installing insulation,please be aware that some recessed lights fitting (eg. down lights)require a clear area around the fitting for heat dispersion from the lamp. Please check with the manufacturer before proceeding.</p>
<p>I would love for you to share your experiences or comments below on <span style="text-decoration: underline">how to reduce home energy bills</span>&gt;&gt;&gt;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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