Some electric vehicle owners have over-the-top praise for their cars’ performance and practicality. Does that mean the vast …
electricity
5 Ways Mother Nature Is Impacting Your Wallet
All of a sudden, much of the country seems to have turned into Arizona, with a hot, dry summer coming on the heels of a remarkably mild winter. Here are five ways that months of odd weather have affected—and will continue to …
Where a Nissan Leaf Costs Over $50K
Even when the national average for gas neared $4 per gallon, very few American drivers were opting for electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf, largely because of the limited mileage range (100 miles max before requiring a …
Introducing the $60 Light Bulb
The Associated Press reports that the Phillips LED light bulb that won the government’s L Prize—a $10 million contest to replace the traditional incandescent bulb—will go on sale as of Earth Day with a full retail price of …
Imagine No Electricity Bills: The Rise of ‘Net-Zero’ Homes
If done properly, a smartly built green home featuring solar power, energy-efficient appliances, and proper insulation can result in the owner facing monthly electricity bills amounting to $0, or thereabouts. Now, one homebuilder …
How Much You Spend Each Year on Coffee, Gas, Christmas, Pets, Beer, and More
A new report estimates that the average American worker drops nearly $1,100 annually on coffee. That’s not much less than what the average worker spends to commute to the job.
Plugged In? Then Pay Up. Electricity Costs Rise $300 in 5 Years
It’s not your imagination. Your electricity bill really has been getting higher and higher.
Beat the Next Blackout: Tips for Buying a Backup Generator
Thanks to Mother Nature and power grid glitches, American households in Connecticut, San Diego, and many parts in between have been without power for extended periods of time in recent weeks. Now, in the wake of cell phones that …
How to Save $500 Worth of Energy This Summer
Every year, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics looks at data from millions of households to create a profile of the average U.S. consumer. The annual Consumer Expenditure Survey contains lots of fun facts. For instance, in 2009 …
Why an Electrician Might Charge $135 or $800 for the Same Job
Why? Because electricians can pretty much charge whatever they want—and if you don’t bother getting multiple bids, you’re likely to give the first electrician you talk to whatever he wants.
Save on Electricity: Have Dinner in the Afternoon, Do Laundry after Midnight
Some utilities have introduced “smart” meters, which monitor how much electricity is being used in the community at all hours of the day—and which, because of supply and demand, use tiered pricing structures to charge more during certain “peak” hours. The new pricing also obviously charges less during non-peak hours, so by going …
Ten GOOD Things to Come Out of the Great Recession
It’s not all gloom and doom. Businesses are struggling, the housing market may have crashed, and jobs may have disappeared en masse, but today’s consumer is in the driver’s seat. And perhaps as in any crisis, people are being reminded about what’s really important in life.
