More Tips on an Energy Efficient Home

Even though the summer season is on its path out the door, soon to be replaced with Fall, the energy bills can still cause some damage. The cool weather is on its way (along with the newest batch of Oscar hopefuls in the box office) and eventually, the holidays. No matter what time of year it is, though, there's always a need to save money on the home utility bills.

Mother Earth News has put up an intensive article that looks at how home-owners can save both energy and money with some simple improvements to their homes. It includes several projects (some are do-it-yourselves and others require professional assistance) that will ultimately lower your energy bills and help you conserve power and water in order to help the environment.

While some if it may seem to be a bit over your head, there are even tips on what kinds of insulation to use and ways that you as a consumer can save warm water. I've read lots of these lists, and I must say that some of the suggestions were new to me. If you're like me, then you'll agree that it's nice to learn something new that can help you around the house. What's really nice is the way that the article simplifies these things to show that energy conservation isn't a huge burden, but rather, something that anyone can do.

To view this list and start saving money, visit Mother Earth News. Are there any measures that you currently take to conserve power? Do you find them to be a strain, or are they easier than you would have thought at first?

Oil or Alternative?

As the summer rolls on, it seems that prices on gas and other items that we need to maintain our active lifestyles continue to roll on as well. With no immediate end in sight to some of the concerns about spending on energy and other commodities, it's nice to be informed about what is going on in the world of energy in order to stay on top of the game.

Earlier this week Amber over at EnergyBabble posted some intriguing thoughts about the discussion of Oil Vs. Alternative Energy in today's world. She definitely poses a lot of probing questions about the long term reliability of both energy sources, the rising costs of oil and other matters that I'm sure will hit home with a lot of consumers that are trying to keep some money in the pocket. Is more offshore drilling the answer? Or do we need something else?

To join in on the energy conversation, take a trip over to EnergyBabble.

Tips to Defeat the Heat

During the summer, especially in Texas, the heat can at times be unbearable. While the temperatures are so high, the air conditioner becomes a much welcome invention, making you comfortable inside of your home. The unwanted side effect of all of this is that your energy bills tend to skyrocket along with the heat, since the air conditioner is running like a bandit all day long.

Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to make sure that you keep those costs low, especially while prices on everything else are rising at the moment. A new article on Homemakers talks about 10 tips that you can use around your home in order to save money for the summer. Likewise, Plenty Magazine posted an article about 5 ways to save on energy as well.

The articles cover things ranging from sealing up the cracks in your home to insulation and even opening your windows when it rains in order to generate a breeze that freshens the air inside. To find out more, check out Plenty Magazine for 5 tips on home cooling and Homemakers for 10 power saving tips.

Find Out the Average Cost for Utilities and Home Services

Curious how much people are paying for their utilities in major cities across the country? The WhiteFence Index compares utility prices for phone, Internet, TV, electricity and natural gas among 21 of the nation's top cities. The WhiteFence Index not only provides averages for each type of home service, but also provides the national average for all home services as well as the average price for each city.

Phone, Internet and TV data is pulled from the hundreds of thousands of orders made through WhiteFence sites each month. WhiteFence determines the average cost for these communications products based on the customer's base orders. To see more in depth details on the process for determining both the communications as well as the electricity and natural gas data, WhiteFence Index methodology.

Whether switching, transferring home services or moving into a new home, the WhiteFence Index is a great resource to help budget your move and monthly utility bills.

DTE Energy Offers Safety Tips for Local Farmers

DTE Energy is reminding local farmers to be aware of potential hazards during the fall harvest. Farmers should be especially aware of overhead power lines and underground utilities in their work areas.

It is essential to use extra care when operating large farm equipment near electrical lines and poles, and underground utility cables and pipelines," said Vince Dow, DTE Energy vice president of Distribution Operations. "If you are using equipment like elevated truck beds, raised
conveyors or other large folding farm implements, it is critical to remember to take the time to survey the area, even if you are familiar with it, to be sure that it is free of potential hazards."

DTE also offers the following safety tips:

• Be aware of the clearance your equipment needs when truck beds are elevated or harvester arms are fully extended or raised.
• Keep all equipment at least 20 feet away from overhead power lines, guy wires and utility poles.
• Report any activity that might have damaged or undermined the stability of a utility pole, including damaged guy wires or severe erosion.
• If your farm equipment has snagged an overhead power line, remain inside the equipment. If possible, try to drive the equipment away from the hazard. If you cannot drive it away, stay where you are and wait for rescue. Call or signal for someone to call 911 and your local electric
  company. Warn others to stay away.
• If you must get off the equipment because of fire or other danger, remember that your body should NEVER contact the ground and the metal equipment at the same time. Jump clear, then hop with feet together or shuffle away. Voltage is highest near the equipment and decreases with distance. Hopping with feet together or shuffling prevents your body from becoming a conductor of electricity from a high to low voltage area.
• Tires are not insulators. Although rubber is not a good conductor of electricity, metal, which also is found in tires, is. If a power line is in contact with your vehicle, electricity will travel through the metal skin and tires into the ground. If you touch both the vehicle and the ground at the same time, electricity will take the path of least resistance and travel through your body to the ground.
• Never touch a downed power line or anything it is in contact with - even if there are no sparks. A live wire may whip or sweep through a wide area. A live wire also may lie still on the ground.
• To report equipment entangled in a power line, potential damage to a utility pole or any downed wire, or damage to an underground utility cable or pipe, DTE Energy customers should call (800) 477-4747.
• Always exercise caution when undertaking any task that requires digging. Before beginning excavation projects like tiling, terracing or fence post installation, call MISS DIG toll-free at 811 or (800) 484-7171 to avoid damaging underground utility cables and pipes.

For additional information please see the DTE press release.