T&T Electrical Contractors Hartford CT

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860-296-6967

T&T Electrical Contractors Hartford CT

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860-296-6967

Go Green With our Green Living Tips

You’ve heard the expression “the earth is shrinking”? Usually that’s a reference to a more global economy, instant internet and email access to anywhere in the world, and so on. More importantly, the earth’s supply of natural resources is shrinking, too. And in some instances, at alarming rates.

At T&T Electrical, our purpose is to enlighten, not frighten. And have you join us in helping to “green up” Connecticut as an example for the rest of the country to follow.

We hope you find these green living tips useful, and we encourage you to send us green living practices and ideas of your own so we can share them with others.

Here’s a list of ideas on how to save some “green” by going green with your home’s plumbing.

Install a New Hot Water Heater

Hot water heating can account for as much as 15% of your total home energy use.

Insulate Your Pipes

Uninsulated pipes, especially in exterior walls, are responsible for a significant amount of heat loss as water travels from your hot water heater to the faucet. Insulating your pipes helps to eliminate this problem, and can cut standby energy loss at your hot water heater as well, saving you even more on your utility bills.

Install Chlorine Filters on Showerheads

Seeing as how chlorine is absorbed six times faster through the skin than through the digestive system, it’s not surprising to hear chlorine sensitivity is a serious problem for many people. Special chlorine filters installed in your showerhead can reduce chlorine levels significantly.

Remove Plumbing from Exterior Walls

By running pipes through conditioned spaces instead, you’ll reduce unnecessary heat loss caused by close proximity to cold outdoor temperatures.

Install a Whole House Water Filtration System

Whole house filtration systems can eliminate the presence of chemicals, particulates, and micro organisms in your water. That makes for healthier water for you and yours, and helps to extend the life of hot water heaters and plumbing fixtures in areas that have high sediment levels in the water supply.

Install a Home Leak Monitoring Device

Leaking pipes, faucets, and toilets can account for literally thousands of gallons of wasted water every month. A home leak monitoring device will alert you when it senses a problem, so you can find and fix the problem as soon as possible.

Install an On-Demand Hot Water Circulation Pump

These pumps send hot water to your fixtures in a matter of seconds, saving you money on two fronts. For starters, you won’t lose heat as hot water unnecessarily sits unused in the pipes, and since you won’t have to run water at the faucet while you wait for hot water to arrive, you’ll reduce your water usage, as well.

Install Low-Flush Toilets

Flushing your toilet accounts for the single biggest water draw in your home, to the tune of about 28 gallons of water per person, per day. A typical low-flush toilet uses anywhere from two to five times less water per flush, depending on the toilet you presently have installed.

Heating & Cooling Tips

Set Your Thermostat at 78°

Set your thermostat at 78° F in the summer and 68° F in the winter and leave them there.

Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats , when used properly, will help you reduce your heating and cooling energy costs.

Keep Curtains Closed

Keep curtains and shades closed during the summer. The heat from the sun often counteracts the cooling efforts of your heating and cooling system.

Longer Run Times

Longer run times allow your heating and cooling system to maintain a more constant room temperature and provide more efficiency than continually switching off and on.

Zoning

Zoning allows you to reduce costs by setting comfortable temperatures only in the rooms you really use.

Avoid Using Appliances

Avoid using appliances that give off heat during the hottest times of the day. They’ll make your cooling system work harder.

Unblock Airflow

Keep furniture, curtains, and rugs away from vents and air registers. They block the airflow.

Service HVAC System Annually

Have your heating and cooling system professionally serviced annually to keep them running safely and efficiently.

Keep Plants Aways From Units

Keep plants and brush at least three feet away from outside units so they can operate more efficiently.

Electrical Tips

Use Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Use compact fluorescent bulbs in lamps that you keep turned on for at least one hour per day. Fluorescent bulbs are 6-8 times more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs and last 10-20 times longer.

Use Standby Mode

A computer system can use $35 to $140 worth of electricity per year. You can reduce this by about 85% if you use a laptop. Or you could save by using the “standby” mode that’s available in newer desktops, and/or use flat-screen monitors.

Unplug Devices from Outlets

Even though your phone charger may be unplugged from your phone, it will still draw current if it’s plugged into the wall. This is one of the biggest modern-day money and energy wasters, and one easily corrected.

Go Around Your Home & Unplug Devices

Go around your home and unplug devices you haven’t used in the past month. Even if they aren’t turned on, they probably use some juice just to stay warm.

Use Cold Water When Cleaning

You can save money by washing clothes with cold water, drying only full loads (without overloading), cleaning the lint filter, and stopping the dryer as soon as the clothes are dry.

Avoid Using Appliances

Avoid using appliances that give off heat during the hottest times of the day. They’ll make your cooling system work harder.

Use a Microwave Oven or Toaster Oven

Use a microwave oven or toaster oven when cooking small items. They use less energy and they don’t require preheating. The approximate yearly cost to use ovens of various types is:
Electric Oven: $27
Toaster Oven: $14
Gas Oven: $13
Convection/Toaster Oven: $10
Microwave Oven: $5

Purchase a whole-house Power Saver

This is a device that regulates the flow of electricity to various household appliances in such a way that the bare minimum of power is used. These can help cut your electricity costs by up to 20% on their own.

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