Consumption, Consumption, What's Your Function? - Electronics

NOTE: With winter upon us, In the Loop with DotLoop has designated the next month as Home Energy Month and will feature articles on how you can reduce your home's energy consumption through simple steps. DotLoop is dedicated to making every aspect of the home buying and owning experience as eco-friendly as possible.

I'm sure your garbage man hates you this week. The presents have been unwrapped and the trash bags are piling up on the curb and now, your garbage man cannot help but cringe as he drives down street after street of empty Barbie boxes and discarded white elephant gifts. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" plays tauntingly through his head as he grips another over-flowing trash can and lunges it into the back of the truck.

Meanwhile, across town, the executives at the electric company are pouring through boating catalogs as they anticipate their post-Christmas boom thanks to little things called gadgets.

Gadget Gold

Earlier this month, we started off our "Winter of Dis-Consume" by explaining how keeping devices plugged into your wall wastes energy and costs money. Now that the holidays are behind us, all of those gadgets you got need to be plugged in and charged.

ENERGY STAR

One of the easiest ways to save energy and money with your home electronics is to simply buy ENERGY STAR products. They work just as good as their energy-sucking counterparts and can shave up to 90% of the energy costs to run them.

Desktop Dithering

As mentioned briefly this past September, simply switching from a desktop to a laptop can save you up to 80% of the cost of running a computer from your home. Laptops also make for great portable devices, allowing you the convenience of taking your work with you wherever you go.

Unplug

It can't be said enough: unplug what you're not using. Even if you buy the newest laptop, with the best ENERGY STAR battery, keeping it plugged in when it's not in use still wastes electricity. Unplug every thing you're not using, or better yet, use a power strip.

Recycle Those Beta Players

Have you gone Blu-Ray this year? Done with that Zune of yours? Recycle your old electronics by finding a local recycling center here, or have a yard sale. After all, one man's Salad Shooter is another man's food dehydrator. Either way, you're looking at some gourmet cooking.

DotLoop on BuinessWise Radio

Tune in this Monday and Tuesday evening between 5:00 and 5:30 (EST) as Austin Allison explains how DotLoop rocketed to success in 2009.

No More Waiting & Wondering

Simplifying Real Estate Transfer

Think how much more pleasant it would be if you could eliminate the worry, wondering & waiting after you've submitted a bid for a piece of property. G. Austin Allison,


President and CEO of DotLoop, has found a way to do this. DotLoop is a cutting-edge real estate technology company that delivers innovative solutions to the real estate industry. He founded the company after being burdened by the inefficiencies that existed in every real property sale or purchase. Austin joins us to explain how this process simplifies real estate transfer for both parties, and where he sees the company going this year. WNKU 89.7 & 94.5 FM or WMKV 89.3. Week of 12/28, Mon, Tues during the 5-5:30 segment.

Find more information about BusinessWise here.

Happy Holidays From DotLoop!

Everyone at DotLoop wishes you a very safe and happy holiday.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Consumption, Consumption, What's Your Function? - Windows

NOTE: With winter upon us, In the Loop with DotLoop has designated the next month as Home Energy Month and will feature articles on how you can reduce your home's energy consumption through simple steps. DotLoop is dedicated to making every aspect of the home buying and owning experience as eco-friendly as possible.

A few weeks ago, I discussed my Hefty bag solution for drafty windows, focusing on insulation. It was a good way to start off this series by focusing on energy literally thrown out the window. I was pleasantly surprised that my words made it all the way to the White House when, just a few days later, the President called insulation "sexy". Thanks for the plug, President Obama.

Of course, insulation and Hefty bags were just one part of that equation. After all, it wasn't just the lack of insulation that wasted energy in my college apartment, it was the old, drafty windows themselves.

Windows Crash

Unless you're reading this from a prison cell or a basement apartment (not to be redundant), you probably have a good amount of windows in your house or building. But did you know that windows account for 10% to 25% of your heating bill? Drafty or obsolete windows (think single-paned) can be a burden to your bank account by letting conditioned air (warm or cool) leak out.

A Royal Paned

You can keep your windows from wasting your money through a few simple steps. Here are just a few examples:

• Clean your windows
  No, I don't mean debug your computer or buy an iMac. Busting out the Windex can not only help you naturally heat your home in those cool winter months (clean windows let in more sun), it can also help keep you in shape.

• Close the curtains
  During the day in the summertime. This can help keep your home cool. Transversely, opening your curtains in the winter can help warm your home naturally.
  

• Add window film & weatherizing strips
  Adding a protective inner lining to your windows in the winter or weatherizing the gaps in older windows can help keep your come toasty in the winter.
  

A more complete list can be found at the U.S. Department of Energy's website (returning the free plug, Mr. President).

It's Curtains For You, Wasted Energy

Of course, if you really want to cut down your energy bills, you can always opt to get new windows. The upfront costs can be hefty (no pun inte--okay, you caught me, pun intended), but with the Federal Tax Credit incentives, they may just be worth it. Aside from making sure your new windows are double-paned, make sure they work for your environment. After all, you'll have different window needs in Anchorage than you will in Atlanta.

Here are a few tips:

• Make sure you have the ENERGY STAR label on your windows (but try to get them to not stick the label on the actual window. I hate that--why do you do that, window manufacturers?

• In temperate climates where it's both hot and cold, you'll want windows with both a low U-factor and low SHGCs (solar heat gain coefficients; they help reduce heat absorption).
  

• The lower the U-factor, the better the insulation. In colder climates, focus on finding a low U-factor.

• If you're building a new home, selecting the right windows can help you in the long-run by allowing you to install a smaller HVAC system.

Holiday De-Lights!

With Christmas soon upon us (hurry, better get to Walgreens to get your wife a last-minute gift!), here are a few links to fill you with inspiration and/or envy. 'Tis the Season!

• Happy
  
  
• Holidays
  
  
• Everyone!
  

Consumption, Consumption, What's Your Function? - Water Heaters

NOTE: With winter upon us, In the Loop with DotLoop has designated the next month as Home Energy Month and will feature articles on how you can reduce your home's energy consumption through simple steps. DotLoop is dedicated to making every aspect of the home buying and owning experience as eco-friendly as possible.

In our last post, we tackled heating tips, advising you against keeping your heater turned up when you're away from your home. With this post, we'll discuss tips on keeping your water heater in the best shape possible and how you can be more energy-conscious without having to sacrifice warm showers.

3-2-1 Blast Off!

But first, let's have some fun. The video below, courtesy of MythBusters, shows just how dangerous an unchecked water heater can be for you and your family.



As you can see, sleeping underneath an ill-tempered water heater may make for a fun trip to the moon, but it also comes with a hefty ER bill, too. As such, you'll want to get your water heater in tip-top shape, which means getting it checked at least every three to six months.

Money Down the Drain

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a residential water heater is the third largest energy expense in a home. Some more surprising facts:

• On average, it takes more hot water to cook than it does to wash the dishes by hand afterward (5 gallons vs. 4)
  
  
• Hand-washing dishes uses less hot water than a dishwasher: 4 gallons on average compared to 12
  
  
• Taking a bath or showering both use the same average amount of hot water (20 gallons)

Controlling Water Heater Costs

You don't have to heat your bathwater on the stove just to save money, though. Simply follow these simple tips to keep the warm springs flowing:

• Use less hot water. Simple enough, right? Try conserving water by doing dishes by hand, for example.
  
  
• Turn down your water heater's thermostat. Sure, hot showers are nice, but you don't need to look like a steaming Terminator when you come out of the bathroom. The average temperature for a shower is 107.5 degrees Fahrenheit, so keeping your water heater turned up to 140 degrees isn't necessary (the U.S. Department of Energy recommends a setting of 120 degrees). Also: use the vacation setting on your water heater when you won't be home for more than two days.
  
  
• Insulate your water heater. Covering your water heater can help keep precious heat from being wasted. Be sure to follow your manufacturer's recommendations, though. Never cover the burner compartment.
  
  
• Get a newer, more energy efficient water heater. Okay, so this one is not as cheap to do, but if you're in the market, investing in a new water heater may save you money in the long run. Most water heaters last 10 to 15 years, but the U.S. Department of Energy suggests you start shopping after the seven year mark to keep from being unprepared if your water heater goes out. When selecting a new water heater, make sure your new it has a high ENERGY STAR rating.
  
  

Let The Sun Shine

If you are in the market for a new water heater, why not go with a solar water heater? With more than 94% of consumers considering solar water heaters a good investment, and their ability to offset 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the course of a 20-year period, solar water heaters may be the greenest (and, ultimately, cheapest) way for you to feel even better while taking hot showers on a cold day.

Consumption, Consumption, What's Your Function? - Heating Tips

NOTE: With winter upon us, In the Loop with DotLoop has designated the next month as Home Energy Month and will feature articles on how you can reduce your home's energy consumption through simple steps. DotLoop is dedicated to making every aspect of the home buying and owning experience as eco-friendly as possible.

It's definitely winter at DotLoop Headquarters here in Cincinnati; last week's windchill was about 9 degrees. As such, I thought it would be fitting to discuss heating, specifically, what you can do to keep your heating costs from eating up all of your holiday funds.

A Sweater Makes Everything Better

Sometimes, the best way to reduce your heating bill is not to use your heat at all. The old mantra from mom is the best solution to keep the meter from running: Put on a sweater!

You don't need to have your thermostat set to 80 degrees in order to keep warm--just pull a Huxtable and put on a sweater. By keeping your body covered, you'll not only save money on your bill, but you'll be stylin' while at it. When you do wear your best knitted sweater, be sure to slap on a pair of socks, too. Warm feet will not only keep your toes toasty, but will aid in keeping your whole body feeling warmer.

Don't Let Your Windows Waste Warmth

We'll tackle window insulation as its own post a bit later, but make sure your windows don't seep in too much drafty air. One of the biggest wasters of heat is to keep your storm windows up during the winter months (yes, I've done this before).

Insulation

Last week, we discussed insulation as a way to trim back your heating bills. You can't put on an extra sweater for your whole house, so insulation is your next-best bet. Along with covered and sealed windows, new insulation will help keep your house nice and toasty when you do use the heat.

Get a Programmable Thermostat

Little known fact: while you're busy working for a living, your pets are home basking in the glory that is a 78 degree household, hogging all of that warm air for themselves. That may be nice for Spot and Muffins (and the energy company's stockholders), but it takes a toll on your bank account. Installing a programmable thermostat allows you to keep your house cool while you're away (or asleep--people usually sleep better in cooler temperatures), and warm when you are actually at home. You can easily program a thermostat to have your house nice and warm by the time you get home. But what about poor Spot and Muffins? Hey, they have fur coats, don't they?*

Open Your Oven

After you bake yourself a hearty meal (or bake a cheap frozen pizza), don't close that oven door! Why waste heat you just paid for? By keeping your oven door open (or similarly, keeping your bathroom door ajar when you take a hot shower), you can help dissipate heat that would've been trapped to the rest of your house. Sure, your house may smell like mozzarella, but you may just save enough money on your heating bill to buy a nice dinner in a warm restaurant next month.

Challenge the Chills

When it comes to heating your home, everyone's comfortable temperature, what's "comfortable" will vary from person to person (DotLoop's CTO, Matt Vorst, always keeps his office at a balmy 30 degrees Fahrenheit, mostly because he likes a nice and cold office, but partly to keep the frozen steaks in his desk drawer from going bad).

But, if you find yourself constantly cranking up the heat, you may want to try other means of keeping yourself warm. After all, homes waste twice as much energy as cars in America. According to Jamie Gerdsen, President/CEO of Apollo Heating & Cooling, by adjusting your thermostat by a single degree, you can save up to 3% of your energy bill for every 8 hours of use. By doing your part, not only can you help keep the planet more green, but you can keep more green in your wallet.

*PETA: angry letters can be sent to info@dotloop.com

Consumption, Consumption, What's Your Function? - Insulation & Sealing

NOTE: With winter upon us, In the Loop with DotLoop has designated the next month as Home Energy Month and will feature articles on how you can reduce your home's energy consumption through simple steps. DotLoop is dedicated to making every aspect of the home buying and owning experience as eco-friendly as possible.

My junior and senior years in college were spent in a tiny, tiny apartment right next to a KFC. The rent was cheap despite the finger-lickin' location and for the most part, it worked out fine for my roommate Jim and me.

The one caveat, however, was the fact that the walls of our building seemed to be insulated with tracing paper. While this wasn't always a bad thing (if we ran out of space in the freezer, we could always just keep a frozen pizza nice and cold by placing it on a window sill), it eventually took its toll on us.

Being the ever resourceful college kids that we were, Jim and I covered our windows in plastic garbage bags (evidently, this also provided us protection from the ter'rrists, too) and our tiny apartment didn't seem so drafty.

Insulation Proclamation

When people talk about making homes more energy-efficient, the most common example is insulation. According to the US Department of Energy, only about 20% of homes built before 1980 are well-insulated. The old stand-by of using plastic bags has always been a low-cost favorite, but for those of us who don't think that Hefty bags make a good design statement, there are even better resources available today. I'll run through a couple of examples here, including some more natural ideas out there (mushrooms?). A more complete list can be found here.

Blanket Insulation

Anyone familiar with the Pink Panther commercials knows about blanket insulation. The most common are made of fiberglass, but various other materials can be used, too, including wool. Outside of a trash bag alternative, blanket insulation is the easiest way to insulate your home and can be applied without any professional help. Blanket insulation has its pros and cons (getting fiberglass out of your lungs is tough, so wear a mask), but is probably the most ubiquitous type of insulation out there.

Spray-Foamed Insulation

For those a bit more ambitious with their insulation, spray-foam insulation not only gives you a good way of adding insulation to existing finished areas and irregularly shaped walls, but it can be fun to apply, too (just imagine reenacting scenes from Ghostbusters). Spray-foam insulation is made from materials such as polyurethane, phenolic, and other less-pronounceable materials (polyisocyanurate?) and has been a popular alternative to blanket insulation.

Green Insulation Alternatives

The irony of using the more popular insulation techniques mentioned above is that the actual manufacturing of the materials is not very eco-friendly. More natural insulation products have been around for centuries (for example, my own house, built in 1924, has horse-hair insulation) and like all good ideas, they haven't gone out of style. Wool has already been mentioned, but straw-bale and cotton insulation is also growing in popularity.

A Fungal Future For Insulation?

Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre have created a new process of growing insulation out of mushrooms and seed husks, a product they call Greensulate, with their company Ecovative Design. Already in use in some residential and commercial projects, the naturally-grown insulation can withstand a blowtorch and just may replace the Pink Panther as the product of choice.



Keep Yourself Insulated

Whether you use the latest in low-tech organic insulation or slap on your mask and spray your attic in fiberglass, insulating your home is one of the best ways to save energy. With the heating and cooling of homes accounting for 50 to 70% of home energy usage, and with the recent home energy tax credit, now is the best time to consider insulating your home.

Consumption, Consumption, What's Your Function?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

NOTE: With winter upon us, In the Loop with DotLoop has designated the next month as Home Energy Month and will feature articles on how you can reduce your home's energy consumption through simple steps. DotLoop is dedicated to making every aspect of the home buying and owning experience as eco-friendly as possible.

When I was younger, I used to go into my brother's room and turn off his lights when he wasn't in there. He always got mad at me, threatening my very livelihood with his usual wit ("I'll kill you next time you go into my room, punk"). For him, it was a matter of privacy; for me, it was a matter of waste. Even at the ripe old age of twelve, I knew that keeping the lights on in an empty room costs money.

The above video, recently featured on NBC's Today Show, shows not only the obvious (keeping your lights on does waste money; so there, Kevin), but also highlights some surprising facts. Big screen TVs, for example, cost less to operate per hour ($.06) than a plugged in phone charger sans phone ($.10).

More energy is wasted keeping our homes and buildings powered than spent stuck in traffic, and the average family spends a whopping $2200 a year on energy bills alone.

So next time you leave your house, make it a point to unplug and turn off anything not needed, and instead of turning up that thermostat, put on an extra sweater. Your bank account will thank you, even if your brother doesn't.

"The Future Is Simple At the DotLoop"

With the new home buyer's tax credit being extended into 2010, how can buyers and sellers make the most of their time and quickly close the deal?

DotLoop CEO Austin Allison explains.

NAR Photos

For you viewing pleasure, check out these pictures from the National Association of REALTORS Conference in San Diego.

Enjoy!