{"id":1493,"date":"2011-03-18T03:17:46","date_gmt":"2011-03-18T14:17:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/backyardcity.wordpress.com\/?p=1493"},"modified":"2011-03-18T03:17:46","modified_gmt":"2011-03-18T14:17:46","slug":"green-energy-for-the-plant-and-the-pocketbook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.backyardcity.com\/Outdoor-Patio-Blog\/green-energy-for-the-plant-and-the-pocketbook\/","title":{"rendered":"Green Energy – For the Planet AND the Pocketbook"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Energy
\n“Going Green” is a trend that is gaining momentum every year and has become a lifestyle choice for many Americans. Not only does it allow you to do your part in conserving our precious resources, but it can also save you hundreds of dollars a year in utility costs. Making small changes can yield huge differences. Replacing just one regular light bulb in your home with an energy-efficient light bulb will reduce that outlet’s energy consumption by 75% and save you up to $40 a year! Imagine the difference that you can make if you replace all of the bulbs in your home. Another important energy-saving tip is to make sure that your doors and window are properly sealed. Drafts and broken seals can waste hundreds of dollars a year in heating and cooling cost and waste unnecessary energy. You will also want to make sure that you are using energy-efficient appliances. Seventeen percent of your household energy is spent on large appliance operation (refrigerators, clothes washer and dryers, and dishwashers). If you are not using an EnergyStar certified appliance, consider upgrading. It will save you money in the long run.<\/p>\n

Solar power is also a great way to save energy in and around your home. If you are not ready to install solar panels on your roof and rely solely on the sun, you can still implement small uses of solar power around your home. Consider using Chinese Solar Lanterns<\/a> or Umbrella Solar Lanterns<\/a> at you next outdoor party instead of traditional lighting sources. Add solar powered path lights to your driveway or sidewalk. Consider investing in solar swimming pool heaters in place of traditional heat sources for your pool.<\/p>\n

Green power is here to stay. More and more people are realizing that making these small, but powerful, changes are a necessary step toward protecting our plant AND our pocketbooks. Start making your home energy-efficient today and you reap the benefits for many years to come.<\/p>\n

\"Chinese\"Umbrella<\/p>\n

Source: US Department of Energy (http:\/\/www.energysavers.gov)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Going Green” is a trend that is gaining momentum every year and has become a lifestyle choice for many Americans. Not only does it allow you to do your part in conserving our precious resources, but it can also save you hundreds of dollars a year in utility costs. Making small changes can yield huge differences. Replacing just one regular light bulb in your home … Continue reading Green Energy – For the Planet AND the Pocketbook<\/span> »<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6,11,12,15],"tags":[143,187,191,217,338,343,363],"class_list":["post-1493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-environmentally-friendly-ideas","category-indoor-living-spaces","category-innovative-solutions","category-outdoor-lighting-ideas","tag-energy-saving-solutions","tag-garden-decor","tag-garden-lighting","tag-green-products","tag-outdoor-patio-lamps","tag-outdoor-solar-lighting","tag-patio-lanterns"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Nnyf-o5","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1983,"url":"https:\/\/www.backyardcity.com\/Outdoor-Patio-Blog\/solar-powered-chinese-lanterns-make-creative-lighting-year-round\/","url_meta":{"origin":1493,"position":0},"title":"Solar Powered Chinese Lanterns Make Creative Lighting Year Round","author":"Sara May","date":"February 6, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Chinese lanterns make a colorful and distinctive addition to creative backyard and patio decor.\u00a0 But, you don't need to wait until Chinese New Year rolls around again to adorn your garden or patio with Chinese lanterns.\u00a0 Fun and funky, solar-powered Chinese lanterns bring colorful illumination to any backyard gathering no\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Backyard Fun"","block_context":{"text":"Backyard Fun","link":"https:\/\/www.backyardcity.com\/Outdoor-Patio-Blog\/category\/backyard-fun\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Outdoor Chinese Lanterns","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.backyardcity.com\/Images\/SSI\/Chinese-Lanterns3-3780WRM3-large.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":625,"url":"https:\/\/www.backyardcity.com\/Outdoor-Patio-Blog\/outdoor-solar-lighting-can-light-up-your-spring-nights\/","url_meta":{"origin":1493,"position":1},"title":"Outdoor Solar Lighting Can Light Up Your Spring Nights","author":"Trey Collier","date":"April 27, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"With Spring in full swing, my family and I are spending longer hours enjoying our backyard. 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