IdealBite Sample Newsletter

Here's a sample IdealBite Newsletter:

You want to do your part to save energy, but aren't sure where to start?

The Bite

There are a 101 different ways to conserve energy around the house...here are just 8 ideas to recap our Home Energy Week. These little changes done often can mean large savings, reducing your energy bill by up to 50%.

The Benefits

• Use power strips to turn off TVs and stereos to save the energy equivalent of a 100-watt light bulb that’s always on.
• Switch to NiMH rechargeable batteries for alarm clocks, remotes, and small appliances.
• Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which last 6 to 10 times longer than conventional ones and are more energy efficient.
• In winter months, draw curtains and use tight-fitting, insulating window shades. Storm windows reduce heat loss through the windows by 25 to 50% (but if it's nice out, open shades on the sunny part of your home to harness the sun's heat).
• Unplug chargers (think cell phones and iPods) when not in use. Only 5% of the power drawn by a cell phone charger is used to charge the phone. The other 95% is wasted when it is left plugged into the wall.
• Configure your computer to "hibernate" automatically after 15 minutes of inactivity, and shut it down when you are done for the day (yes, we know there are naysayers out there – we stand by our research).
• Use ceiling fans in the summer AND winter. By reversing the direction of the blades in the winter, warm air is pushed down, and heat is distributed throughout the house.
• Unplug seldom-used appliances such as an extra refrigerator to shave up to $10 off your monthly utility bill.

Personally Speaking

How many Biters does it take to change one of our light bulbs? Doesn’t matter - since we switched to compact fluorescents, we haven’t had to worry about changing light bulbs.

Wanna Try?

• Real Goods - compact fluorescent light bulbs and other sustainable products ($10/bulb).
• Smart Strip Power Strip - monitors power consumption and shuts off power when a device is turned off; pays for itself in energy savings in 2 months ($30.95).
• Kill A Watt - measure the energy efficiency of your appliances with this nifty device ($39.95).
• Home Energy Tune-Up - residential inspection to help identify energy efficiency problem areas.