Low-voltage landscape lighting is a simple improvement that can make an enormous impact on the beauty and appearance of your home after dusk, as well as its safety and security. Installed along walkways, steps, and driveways, or directed up at trees, garden objects and walls, the typical low-voltage lighting system requires just three components: a transformer, low-voltage electrical cable, and the fixtures.

By: Jason Lee

Halloween is over which means the holidays are officially here. That means the relatives are on their way and you’ll be using your large appliances more often causing your electric bill to look scary long after Halloween has ended. Don’t let the increase in relative visits and vampire electric devices drive up the electric bill.

To keep the electric bill down, remember to only use the dishwasher when it is full. Running the dishwasher when it is only half full will amount to a lot more energy consumption.

Items like washers and dryers are guilty of consuming more energy during the holidays too. Washing clothes in cold water and setting the dryer on low heat will help in reducing the electric bill.

Knowing when to say goodbye to your old system is another way to save on energy. Older appliances run up the electric bill. If you have an appliance that is over 10 years old, consider replacing it with a newer, energy efficient model.      

It is also a good idea to have all large household appliances connected to their own dedicated circuit. To many of these large appliances operating at the same time on the same circuit can cause a blown fuse or a tripped breaker. A dedicated circuit for each large electrical household appliance will keep this from happening.

Lastly, don’t let your everyday electrical devices like laptops, cell phones or tablets get greedy and hog the power outlets. Only charge these items when they need it.                                                     

You’ll have enough to worry about as the holidays set in. Take the electric bill off the list by doing these simple energy savings tips from Mr. Electric.

The march of consumer product efficiency continues. Modems, routers and other internet equipment are the latest items to get a bump in energy efficiency thanks to a voluntary agreement between manufacturers and trade associations. The standards mean that new equipment should use about 10 to 20 percent less electricity than the gear currently on the market. The bottom line – reduced energy bills for consumers.

Homes Across the Country

The change is ultimately expected to affect 80 million homes in the United States. Currently, the terms run through 2017 and require manufacturers and providers to make their efficiency data available publicly – ask an electrician if you need help interpreting the data or picking out the best model once the new equipment hits the shelves.

“DOE appreciates industry’s voluntary commitment to improving the energy efficiency of small network equipment, and looks forward to the progress they can make and verification of the impacts at the appropriate time,” Dr. Kathleen Hogan, deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency, U.S. Department of Energy, said in a press release. 

Preparing for the Internet of Things

The voluntary agreement was hammered out among the Consumer Electronics Association, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association and the companies that make the equipment. This efficiency upgrade comes at a crucial time – not only are modems and routers essential for internet access, they will only become more important as smart technology advances and more of your household systems are hooked up to the internet.

“This agreement will begin saving consumers energy and money – and do so long before any mandatory regulatory standards could take effect – while protecting innovation and competition,” Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, said in a press release. “By setting requirements for energy-efficient broadband equipment now, the agreement will lock-in efficiencies at the dawn of the Internet of Things, which depends on strong broadband networking.”

Following the Cable Box Lead

This agreement is similar to a voluntary deal worked out by manufacturers of cable set-top boxes, in which the companies worked with the U.S. government to set an attainable benchmark. The deals are voluntary out of practicality, because federal regulations can take years to take effect and can be quickly rendered obsolete by ever-advancing technology.

“Our industry has proven that voluntary, energy-conservation agreements are the best means of effectively improving energy efficiency, while recognizing the lightning-fast pace of tech innovation,” Shapiro said.

Similar to the set-top boxes, modems and internet equipment are nearly ubiquitous in U.S. households, and they draw power nearly all the time unless the family pulls the plug at night. That means there's a lot of room for cutting back on their electricity usage. If you aren't sure whether the energy savings are worth upgrading your modem or router, ask an electrician to help calculate your consumption and offer strategies on how to get the best return on your conservation investment.