Monitoring Your Energy Bill - 3 Ways Reviewed

In our final blog post showing the different ways to save energy, I thought it would be good to go over some of the different ways to monitor your energy bill. I like to think that I am far too busy to read (let alone understand!) my utility bill. There are numbers, kilowatts, and other data that the average person just doesn't understand. So here's a little guide on some different monitoring software that will help you save money and more importantly use less energy.

1) Opower is a company that will take data from your neighborhood and tell you where you fit in according to energy used and money sent. It will collect the data a send you a monthly report with all the different ways you are spending energy. While knowing how much energy you use each month is elementary, this program lays it out in an easy to read format. 

The downside to this program is that the individual consumer can't subscribe. Opower works directly with utility companies. So, if you're interested, you have to call up your electric company to see if they will consider signing up.

2) EnergyHub is a set of gadgets that you plug on top of your outlets. You then place whichever device you want to monitor (like your TV or computer) into this gadget. It will send the energy used to a separate monitoring device that keeps track throughout the month. It will also kill any electricity leaching to add savings.

If cutting costs is important to you, EnergyHub may not be the best bet. With a minimum price tag of $300 per kit, you will have to monitor your energy usage for quite a while before this gadget pays for itself.

3) ThinkEco has a similar product called a Modlet. If I were to suggest an introductory device, this would be it. You plug in the Modlet into your outlet and it will automatically (and wirelessly!) track energy use from the device plugged into it. You can track on your computer, set up weekly schedules and even shut down devices from your cell phone.

The price point is $50 per Modlet kit, so if you want to track your refrigerator, computer, TV, phone charger, and alarm clock, it will add up to a lot of dough. But, this may be a good entry point for seeing exactly where you spend your money on electricity.

Here's the bottom line, though. If you're looking to save money on your bill, START SMALL! Turn down your thermostat a couple degrees. Stop having the TV on for background noise. Change your bulbs to compact flourescents. These are simple and cheap options. Once you start doing the simple stuff, then you can continue on to the more advanced methods of saving energy (like tracking). You'll have better results and you will do more good for the environment.
For more information on how to use less energy, I'd recommend going to the MN Power of One Portal. There is SOOOOO much good information for whether you're just starting out or are already exploring alternative energies.


Related Articles-
1) 10 Ways Big Data is Remaking Energy. (gigaom.com)
2) Do Smart Energy Gadgets Actually Save You Money? (moneyexpert.com)

Who Wants to See My Disgusting Air Filter?

I put up a short video describing why it's important to change your furnace filters frequently. If the visual aid doesn't help, I'm not sure what will.

Video of my disgusting air filter, right here!

Really, folks. Changing your air filter will save you money and keep the air you breathe in your home cleaner. The filters themselves can range in cost, but you don't need to spend a lot to get the desired effect. You just need to remember to change them. I put a reminder on my calendar to at least check them monthly.

I've found that buying several filters at a time will make the routine maintenance that much easier. Find a method that works for you.

People, Turn Your Thermostats Down!

I came across a wonderful article on Grist that covers the importance of programmable thermostats (in addition to other heat saving measures like proper insulation and sealing) when trying to save money on your utility bills. Also, there are several comments below the article that show (through physics!) why you save so much energy when you keep your thermostats down.

The article dropped in 2008, but the data is still sound.

Ask Umbra Article

Happy Reading!

Save Money and Energy? Why, Yes, Thank You!

This month we are going to focus on the Energy Conservation pillar of HDT's mission.

 

With the first article, we would like to point out that buying and installing a programmable thermostat is not only a good way to save you money, but also help you use less energy.

A normal thermostat will monitor the temperature of your house and based on what setting you have it at, will heat or cool you house automatically. For example, if you set your thermostat to 68 degrees, it will start to heat your house when it detects the ambient temperature to be below 68 degrees. No problem, right? Well, your ol' fashioned run-of-the-mill thermostat will do this if you're in the house or not. So, unless you change the setting every time you leave the house you would be paying for the gas to heat the air when you're away at work, cooking classes, or perhaps the rodeo. In essence, your current thermostat is being asked to keep your house warm (or cool) even when you are not at home! Why waste the money?

Installing a programmable thermostat might be the solution for you. For as little as $30 you can get one of these bad boys, but the ones with the most useful setting will set you back about $50. Regardless of which model you get, they will all do the same basic thing. They can be programmed to heat and cool your house when you are in the house. You can set it to begin heating in the morning when you usually wake up and to stop when you and your family are off at work and school. It will kick back in when you head home and turn off when you head to sleep. You can even get ones that are pre-programmed to maximize energy savings.

If you're looking to get one of the deluxe versions, I've read that they can even monitor your furnace use and tell you when you need to get a tuning or when to change the air filters...based on how long your furnace has run! They may not be for everyone, because they can reach upwards of $300. (But it links with your cell phone!)

Here's a quick video from the EPA on programmable thermostats.

 If you adjust your thermostat just one degree over 15 hours, you could save upwards of 2% on your fuel bill. Since most households spend about $1000 a year on heating and cooling, that thermostat would pay for itself in under a year. Hooray for saving money!

Related articles

• How To Save Money On Heating Bills (mydecorarticles.com)

Cool App for Planning Your Garden

For those that think gardening is a new idea and don't really know where to go for ideas or plans, I would recommend this neat little app.

Over at Mother Earth News, they developed a computer program called Vegetable Garden Planner that takes some of the guesswork out of planning your first garden. Here's the link. 

It has a pretty large database of popular plants so you can do your research on what you'd eventually like to grow. If you have your garden plot designed, it will help you with proper spacing of plants for optimal growth. It will tell you important dates based on your location (such as first frost free day).

It is not a free program, however. There is a yearly $25 cost, but there is a trial version you can get your hands on before you decide to buy it or not.
They also have an app for the iPad.

But, regardless of what tools you use or the research you want to begin, it is important to just get out there and get your hands dirty. Now amount of planning or expensive tools will do the work for you, so don't be afraid to start planting.

2012 Seed Catalogs

It's the time of year when you want to start looking at what types of fruits and veggies you want to grow. With proper planning, gardening can be more hobby than grunt-work. There are many things to look into, such as what size you want your garden to be, where you're going to plant, or what you're family likes to eat. However, in this blog post I'm going to focus on the many different seed companies you can choose from, because, YES! that can make a difference.


The big daddy that we use primarily is the Seed Saver Exchange. Based in Decorah, Iowa, the Seed Savers is one of the largest seed companies that focuses on protecting genetic diversity in their seeds. Organic is not just a catchphrase for them. They specialize in open pollinatied heirloom varieties, adhering to strict production standards that ensure that each seed maintains its uniqueness. Now, while you will be able to peruse the wide selection (online, in person, or in catalogs), you will have to pay a little more for that diversity.




If you want a beautifully depicted description of almost every plant known to man (slight exaggeration), then the Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds catalog, based in Mansfield, Missouri is the only seed catalog you'll ever need. They have fully described pictures of their seed varieties. They even have stories about the origin of the seed species, which adds to the knowledge base you'll walk away from after reading the catalog. They pride themselves on every seed being non GMO and with over 1,300 heirloom seeds available, they have the largest heirloom seed collection available. The catalog, itself, is a beautiful book. I have a copy on my coffee table. I would recommend picking up a copy.


If you are a beginner to gardening, I would recommend Johnny's Selected Seeds, out of Winslow, Maine. They have a section that points out fruits and veggies that beginner gardeners would most likely use. They branch away from strictly heirloom and organic seeds, but they would be the best place for rookies to start.






If you're looking to garden on a dime, I might recommend The Territorial Seeds Company from Cottage Grove, Oregon. They don't have the largest organic selection but you can save a lot of money by going through them. They have instructional videos on their site and have some good pointers on getting started.





There are, literally, hundreds of seed catalogs out there. Don't stop at these four. Do your own exploration and tell me what you find!

10 Ways to Shop Organic

Finding the time and money to eat healthy can be challenging. Here are a few ideas and resources to help you locate and prepare more local, fresh and chemical-free food. 

1) Buy from your local farmers' market. There are many great deals at farmers' markets. You can find local meats, cheeses, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and many other goodies in one place. The food is fresh and grown locally and you have direct access to the farmers, a great time to ask them how their raise their animals or grow their produce. Markets usually start in May but the best selection becomes available as the growing season gets into full swing. Farmers' markets usually last through September in this area. Plus, if you use EBT (SNAP/Food Stamps), many Markets will accept them. The Lakes Area Growers Market in Brainerd, the Pine River Market Square in Pine River, and the Onamia Area Farmers Market are great places to get started locally.

2) Buy into a CSA. A CSA is a community-supported agriculture program - participants buy a share of the farm's yield. Every week you will get a box of fresh produce (often delivered directly to your door!). CSA share boxes are a great way to experience a variety of produce items. Some CSA programs provide recipes and cookbooks with their produce in an effort to give the consumer fun ways to prepare their food. Some local CSAs are from The Farm on St. Mathias in Brainerd, the Farm of Plenty in Randall, and Island Lake Farm just east of Brainerd.

3) Join a food Co-op. From the outside, many co-ops look like other grocery stores, since a co-op provides products and services like their conventional counterparts. It's what goes on behind the scenes that makes the difference. A co-op exists to serve its members. Unlike conventional grocery stores, co-op members are also the owners. So, in addition to getting the products and services you need, you also have a say in the buisness decisions your co-op makes. Additionally, co-ops frequently source local products, employ knowledgeable staff and offer products that may be tough to locate at a mainstream grocery. There are several good local co-ops. Crow Wing County Food Co-op in Brainerd, Harmony Co-op in Bemidji, and Good Earth Food Co-op in St. Cloud will be good places to get started.

4) Buy in bulk from local farmers. What do I mean buy "in-bulk?" For grass fed beef, you can buy a quarter side of beef, which equals about 1/4 of a cow. From this quarter side, you can get approximately 40-50 pounds of ground beef, 6-7 T-bones, 5-6 porterhouses, 10-15 roasts, ribs, soup bones, if you want them; round steaks, sirloins, and ribeyes. Ask around, to get the best price with the raising practices you want. Prices range from $2.25-$5.00 a pound. Buying chickens locally can also save you money. If you look in grocery stores, organic chicken can cost up to $10.00 a pound, buying directly from the farmer could save you half that cost per pound. If you want to see where you can buy local, check out the Minnesota Grown website.

5) Shop in Season. Organic produce can vary significantly in price depending on when you buy it. For example, organic strawberries in the spring are relatively cheap at $3.50 a pound when compared to almost $8.00 a pound in the winter. By shopping in season, you can save a lot of money. Like I said, the local farmers markets get started in May, but the bulk of the produce becomes available as the growing season gets warmer. For instance, vegetables that are available early in the season are the leafy crops, such as kale, radishes, and lettuce. Common late season produce are gourds and apples. Plan accordingly! Also - look to pick-your-own locations for berries, apples, pumpkins and more.



 6) Always Comparison Shop. While this idea isn't exclusive to shopping organic, it's a great way to stretch your food budget. In my area, I can get a 3 pound bag of organic potatoes for $7.99 and just down the street about 4 miles I can get the same bag of potatoes for just $3.99, It is important to comparison shop to get the best deals.

7) Create your Meal Plan Around the most Affordable Produce, Meats, and Sale Items. Organic does go on sale, especially when it's in season. Some delicious meals can be made with a few ingredients. Let your tastebuds have an adventure and try new things - like fresh herbs!

 

8) Grow your own Organic Food. I have my own little garden that produces much of my families produce. You can grow a lot of produce with just a little time and a very little space. When growing your own food, you control how you fertilize, deal with pests and which seeds you choose. By growing your own organic (chemical free) food, you can save money! It is really rewarding to bring your own food from garden to table. Last season, I grew baby red potatoes in my front flower bed! This year I'm trying tomatoes.



9) Preserve your Food - When it is Season. Preserving food when in season is a great way to trim the grocery budget. Did you know that peppers, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and many other foods can be frozen whole, sliced, or chopped? You can also learn how to can, dry and pickle your own food. It may take a little time up front, but it will save you money down the road. We've got some tips on how to start preserving your own produce.

10) Transition Gradually to Organic Food. It takes time to make permanent changes in life. You are much more likely to succeed if you slowly make this transition. Start with foods that have the highest amounts of pesticide residue, like apples. Here is a list of the "dirty dozen" and "clean fifteen" - great information on chemicals on your food. http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/