Many of us can forget about our households energy consumption in the mist of busy daily life.  However, for those who look a bit deeper into specific energy costs, families will be able to determine where their homes’ energy is going and can make adjustments to reduce their energy bills.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, as much as 45% of your homes’ energy goes towards space heating. This means your heating, cooling, and air conditioning system is going to have a huge impact on your usage. Make sure you have checked your house for any leaks and that the appropriate insulation is installed or you will be losing heat that you have paid for.

Much of your other costs are coming from appliances and lighting. Lighting costs can be controlled by using energy efficient bulbs like LEDs. Make sure you are also turning off the lights in rooms you are not using. When running your appliances, try to use them only when you have full loads. It goes without saying that running the dishwasher or washing machine at half capacity will cost you more. If you can bundle more or wait for a larger load you can keep the number of times you are running your appliances down.

One way to determine your usage is to use an energy monitor. These types of devices cost around $30 to $40. They will let you know how much energy you are using to turn on and run these appliances or electronics. BC Hydro has also supplied a calculator you can use to estimate the cost per year. Sometimes upgrading your appliances can save you hundreds per year in efficiency.

Let’s face it; while working for yourself can be an amazing experience, owning your own business can come with a ton of unsightly costs you may not have been anticipating. One of those may be energy costs for lighting and illuminating your building. This day and age, lighting can account for up to 35% of a business’s energy costs which can be a huge impact on your profit. So what are some ways you can help cut down on this expensive expenditure?

Do me a favor and imagine that you are in need of suggestions for a Fourth of July party. You head to via Wikipedia

Of course, I’m not talking about snap pops, black cats, m-80s, or even those cool little paper cars that gush sparks, travel four feet, and then burn to death in a microblaze reminiscent of a 1970s action film.

I am talking about the ones that explode up there, the ones you have to tilt your head back to see. That the fireworks explode in the night sky is important because the very act of looking up immediately takes you out of the mundanity that the rest of the holiday will surely deliver – the planning, the decorating, the complications. No more overflowing trashcan with wing sauce-smeared cocktail napkins. No more ordinary stuff.

At the heart of the Fourth of July is a spirit of independence that is, actually, a big deal. When your eyes are on what’s going on at ground level, it can be hard to realize how big a deal ideas like independence and sacrifice are. Once your attention is arrested by the spectacle of fireworks happening up there in the sky, you’re taken out of the everyday and able to reflect on these things, which is important, I think.

2. They are glorious.

“And the rockets’ red glare/ The bombs bursting in air,” goes the song. Did you know that the word “rocket,” in the sense of the combustion-fueled projectile, dates all the way back to 1566? The Oxford English Dictionary notes that rockets have historically been “used for signalling, in maritime rescue, for entertainment, and as a weapon.” Fireworks symbolize communication, violence, and entertainment: A strangely fitting mix for the complex human heart.

The red glare of the rockets in “The Star-Spangled Banner” refers to the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. That the fort was not taken during the battle is indeed glorious, and fireworks are a reminder of the fortitude of the people who fought and suffered to keep America independent in 1776 and again in 1812. Boom. (Literally: boom!)

3. They are beautiful.

So, those are my three reasons that fireworks are the most important part of any holiday festivity: They happen above you; they are glorious; and they are beautiful. I think these are pretty good reasons for making sure you see some fireworks this Fourth of July.

Take a moment out of the hectic festivities to reflect on the spirit of rebellion, creativity, and inspiration that is involved in claiming and defending independence from parties eager to exploit the vulnerable. This is about more than just us. This unites us across time and space. Fireworks reflect the beauty of standing together for what is right, even when it hurts.

Well, the stormy season is upon us with thunder and lightning all around…..are you prepared?  Do you have whole-house protection from lightning strikes and power surges?  With the continued uncertainty of Texas weather, it’s important to be protected year round!  Here at ElectricMan, a licensed Dallas Electrician, we offer whole-house surge protection, as well as Green-friendly electric service alternatives.  Just give us a call for more information!

-Your team here at ElectricMan

(972) 792-7270

www.electricmaninc.com

When you’re talking about electricity, safety is always one of the most important points to be made. Protecting yourself, your home, and your electrical appliances is a big part of having a functional home here in Tampa. And in our area, one of the biggest risks that can come up is a lighting storm. Lightning arresters are a great, effective way of taming these storms, and today we’d like to talk about what they are, how they work, and what they can do for you and your home!