Tag Archives: Utility Bills

Electricity Prices Up Again in 2012

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Residential Energy Costs 2013 with Savenia Logo

According to the EIA, residential electricity prices rose again across the US.  Residents of 75% of states (including DC) saw price increases in 2012, with Utah increasing the fastest at 11% vs. 2011. Other big increases in the 7-8% range were WY, ID, NE, HI, SD, MI and VT.

The most expensive electricity in the US was in Hawaii, where residents paid 37 cents per kilowatt hour, over 3x more than the national average of 12 cents. Next was Alaska and NY who paid 18 cents, followed by the North Eastern states of CT, VT, NH, NJ and CA who all paid 16-17 cents, some 50% more than the national average.

The cheapest electricity rates were found in Louisiana, Idaho and Washington state where residents paid between 8-9 cents.

Electricity makes up a large chunk of household budgets and as most consumers absorb these increases, it’s good to know you can take action to lower your bills by looking at Savenia Labs ratings for energy efficient appliances, light bulbs and other electrical items.  And since electricity to power these products creates air pollution, saving energy is both good for your wallet and good for the environment.

Savenia Labs Energy Ratings use ZIP code based regional energy prices and carbon footprint data to give shoppers the most relevant information to aid their buying decisions.  A coffeemaker that costs $200 to run over 5 years in Maryland will cost over $600 to run in Hawaii, and our ratings and labels reflect this reality for local buyers.

Go in to a participating retailer and take action to reduce your electricity bill on your next purchase.

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Savenia Labs Launches First ‘GEO’ Air Conditioner Energy Rating Labels

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GEOGRAPHY BASED ENERGY RATINGS REVOLUTIONIZE APPLIANCE SHOPPING

Today Savenia Labs unveiled the first ever location-specific energy rating labels for room air conditioners. Savenia Labs’ new ‘GEO’ Energy Rating Labels report zip code specific lifetime energy costs for room air conditioners anywhere in the US. Now available at participating retail stores, shoppers can see how much it will cost to run an air conditioner before they buy – with data specific to local energy costs, environmental impact and regional usage patterns.

Since lifetime energy costs can greatly exceed purchase prices, these new labels revolutionize air conditioner shopping by magnifying customer savings.

“Energy Rating Labels must be highly relevant to local shoppers to be helpful,” said John Jabara, Founder of Savenia Labs. “The same room air conditioner that costs $500 to run in electricity costs over its 9 year lifetime in Chicago will cost over $3,000 in a hotter climate like Key West, Florida. Now shoppers can get this localized information on the shelf next to the price tag for easy comparison, and save hundreds of dollars by shopping smart.”

Participating retailers that displayed the Savenia Labs Energy Rating Labels last fall experienced dramatic increases in appliance sales and customer satisfaction, while consumers benefited from energy efficiency information that helped them save money.

Check out the selection of energy efficient appliances at Strosniders True Value hardware and let us know what you think!  And stay tuned for more energy ratings from Savenia Labs.

March Energy Saving Madness!

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As the country switches to basketball fever and the days get longer – how about teaming up with Savenia Labs to take a few shots at saving money on energy during March Madness?

Savenia Labs challenges you to our version of the Big Dance. Can you make it to the Sweet Sixteen or a National Championship? Dance your way through each round. The farther you go – the more money you keep in your pocket and out of the electric bill. As the tournament progresses, check back here to see if you advance to the next round.

National Champion

Save $2,200 – MVP!  Make Your Own Energy – Cut your entire utility bill by installing your own solar, wind, or geothermal energy system. Check in to tax incentives and grant programs through your local utility or county; in Montgomery County check MyGreenMontgomery for more information.

Championship Game

Save $450 – Triple Double!  Use Savenia Labs Energy Ratings to Buy Energy Efficient Appliances – Save up to $450 in energy over the lifetime of a coffeemaker.  You can find Savenia Labs Energy Ratings at participating stores here.

Final 4

Save $300 – 3 Pointer! Shop around for lower energy prices.  In Montgomery County you can save money AND switch to cleaner wind energy suppliers like Clean Currents.  Savenia Labs uses Clean Currents wind power for our operations, and so does Strosniders True Value Hardware – the best place to buy Savenia Labs Energy Rated Appliances.

Elite 8

Save $200 – Jump Shot!  Air Seal and Insulate your Home – Act on your Energy Audit and turn your house into an Energy Efficient Superstar to save over $200 per year.  You can buy lots of supplies at Strosniders True Value Hardware, and while there have a look at Savenia Labs Energy Rated toaster ovens to heat the pizza without heating up the house in the summer.

Sweet 16

Save $$$ – Get an easy assist.  Complete an Energy Audit of Your Home – Find out where your home is leaking money and where you can save.  The cost is often covered by your local utility or county.  Check mygreenmontgomery.org or your local county for more information.  You can buy caulking, insulation and other things including Savenia Labs Energy Rated appliances at Strosniders True Value Hardware.

Round of 32

Save $150 – Here’s a free throw.  Slay the Vampire – Eliminate the energy usage that’s not doing anything for you and save $100-$200 per year.  Unplug your DVR and wide screen TVs when you go to bed, or buy a shut off timer.  You can find these at Strosniders True Value Hardware.  Check out the selection of Savenia Labs Energy Rated coffeemakers without clocks, or fully loaded models with low energy usage.

Round of 64

Save $50 – This is a layup. Upgrade one incandescent bulb to a Compact Fluorescent Light bulb. The math is pretty simple – bulbs last 8x longer, use less energy and many are covered by a 2-year manufacturer warranty. You can get them at Strosniders True Value Hardware. While you’re there, check out the selection of Savenia Labs Energy Rated small appliances and magnify your savings!


3 Energy Saving Tips On Turkey Day

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With Thanksgiving Day just around the corner here are a few tips from the lab on how to save money and energy in the kitchen this year.

1. Toaster Ovens – Batch, Shut-off and Convection.

We found that the vast majority of a toaster oven’s energy consumption goes towards getting it warm in the first place.  Once it’s warm, it doesn’t take a lot of energy (or time) to keep it there.  So heat the rolls, then the batch of cookies, then the pumpkin pie.  Just do it without letting the toaster oven get cold over and over again.  Also, many toaster ovens don’t automatically turn off after use.  Make sure to switch them off to minimize energy usage and for safety.   Finally, if you have a good convection toaster oven use it.   In many cases this feature can save time and potentially energy.  In our tests, they made cookies fluffier too – and who doesn’t love fluffy cookies?

2. CoffeeMakers – Go Thermo

One of the biggest drivers of energy usage in a coffeemaker is the heat plate it uses to keep your coffee warm.  If you’re in need of a new coffeemaker – consider getting one with a thermo-carafe.  It keeps your coffee warm longer without using any additional energy.  And besides, those heat plates can destroy flavor.

3.  Microwave Ovens – Zap Away

If you need to heat something quickly – zap it.  Your microwave is one of the best conservers of energy in your kitchen.  Use microwave safe containers and covers.

Strosniders True Value Hardware in Bethesda and Silver Spring has all these appliances and more with Savenia Labs Energy Rating Labels so you can see the energy costs BEFORE you buy!

Have a happy holiday!

Poll Result: 95% Looking for Appliance Energy Information

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Do you look for energy info when shopping for appliances? Our Facebook followers do.  By a huge margin, too.  67% of respondents to our Facebook straw poll told us that they always look for energy usage information on the products they buy while 28% said they looked occasionally.  Only 5% said they never do.  We think awareness is growing nationwide about the importance of energy usage in lowering monthly utility bills and going easy on the environment.  A large part of that awareness was generated by the EPA Energy Star program, which sets efficiency guidelines for manufacturers that want to use the self- certification labels on their products in retail stores.  The impact has been enormous.  In 2010, Energy Star claims to have helped Americans save about $18 billion on utility bills.  That’s a huge number – and considering that the program only covers a fraction of the top selling electric appliance categories – imagine the impact of expanding energy information to the rest!

That’s what Savenia Labs is doing.  We’re imagining the impact on individuals and businesses of providing energy usage data for the next 100 or 1,000 product categories.  This Fall Savenia Labs is releasing our first set of product energy ratings, so make sure to check back here to find out how you can get the facts before you buy.  Also check out our facebook page to enter our newest contest and win a free lab tested appliance www.facebook.com/SaveniaLabs.