Glacial Energy Blog

A Day without Electricity

You know the saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder?  Or perhaps, you don’t know what you have until it’s gone?  Well, those same principles could apply to electricity.  Imagine just one day without lights, televisions, phones, and the internet (sadly, no blog reading!)…it might be a hard concept to grasp considering how accustomed we are to such conveniences.  But taking just one day to leave these behind could be good for you (and your family).

Consider all of the things you do on a normal basis that use electricity and plan ahead so you don’t have to do them on your electricity-free day.  Things like laundry, paying bills online, checking/sending email, and even cooking.  Do laundry, pay bills, and such the day before and take a day off from cooking and make sandwiches and cut up fresh veggies for lunch.  Dinner could be cooked on the grill outside (again, remembering to plan ahead by keeping your meats in a cooler instead of your refrigerator).

It’s a good idea to conduct this “experiment” on the weekend.  That way, you won’t miss work and your kids won’t miss school.  Choose a day where the weather’s cool but not too cool (winter time is probably a bad idea) and make a trip to the park (a great place for a picnic with those sandwiches we talked about earlier, right?).  Remember to leave your phone behind (or, at least, try not to use it but have it on hand for emergencies).

Maybe you’re wondering what the benefit of this experiment could be.  How about more family time and fewer distractions?  Play board games by candlelight after your delicious grilled dinner.  Have a family discussion about your next vacation without a phone ringing or the background noise of the TV.  You’ll surprise yourself with just how peaceful it can be to get back to the basics every now and then.  You might even want to do it more often!

About Glacial Energy: Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost-saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting: www.GlacialEnergy.com.

What’s So Special about LED Lights?

Energy efficiency isn’t a new concept, but every single year there seems to be a new advance in the area.  Light emitting diodes, or what you know as LEDs, for example, aren’t new but their prices continue to drop and more and more people are using them.  And why not?  Some LEDs have a lifespan of up to 25 years!

Out With the Old

2013 marks “year two” of an ongoing transition to energy-efficient lighting in the U.S. market.  Have you realized that 100-watt incandescent bulbs have been phased out due to their inefficiency?  The same will be done to 75-watt incandescent bulbs.  Meanwhile, LEDs are now available in 100-watt equivalents in addition to the existing 40-, 60-, and 75-watt versions.

Let’s not forgot the other options that are available, though.  These include compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and halogen incandescent bulbs.  LEDs and CFLs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs while halogen incandescent bulbs use 30% less.

In With the New

Here’s a tidbit you might not have known.  The famous ball that drops in the middle of Times Square in New York City on New Years’ Eve is comprised of 32,000 glowing LEDs!  According to the Times Square Alliance, each LED module contains 12 blue, 12 green, and 12 white for a total of 8,064 of each color.  It’s no wonder it glows so bright.

Don’t Forget about ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR puts their stamp of approval on a great deal of products, even light bulbs.  They’ll even show you what your annual estimated energy cost would be right on the product label!  With some bulbs costing approximately $1.00 per year in energy costs and the amount of bulbs you use in your home, choosing the right bulb is easier than ever.

So you may never use 32,000 LEDs in your lifetime but you don’t have to be the Times Square Alliance to take advantage of the energy saving benefits of light emitting diodes.  Choosing energy efficient lighting has the potential to save you money, especially when you realize just how much lighting accounts for on your energy bill.

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About Glacial Energy: Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost-saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting: www.GlacialEnergy.com.

The Benefits of Solar Energy

Using the power of the sun for energy is nothing new, but it is certainly starting to become more popular.  The traditional forms of energy that we use today – mainly fossil fuels – are finite. These forms of energy will run out sooner rather than later, so it makes sense to look into better, alternate methods of energy such as solar energy.

Better Technology

The photovoltaic cells in solar arrays today are high quality, and work better and more efficiently than their predecessors . They gather more energy from the sun and convert that energy into usable electricity. With some systems, it’s possible to store excess energy, or sell some back to the power company.

Reducing Grid Dependence

In an ideal situation, you could eliminate your need for the power grid entirely.  How?  Take a look at the larger solar arrays and other products available today.  The larger your configuration, the more energy it produces for your home.  If you’re thinking that such a concept sounds pricey, you’re right but the future is full of possibilities.

If you don’t mind relying on the power grid for some of your energy, solar power offers a solution for you as well.  You can have a few panels installed to offset costs and see how well they work for you before putting in more of an investment.

Is It Your Solution?

Is solar power the right solution for you? Because there are many different options with photovoltaic cells and configurations, it could be. The cost of panels is dropping as the technology becomes more affordable and more companies are competing for your business.  Take the time to research and see what’s available where you are and if it’s not something feasible for you now, perhaps it will be in the future!

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About Glacial Energy: Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost-saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting: www.GlacialEnergy.com

Energy Saving Tips for the Kitchen!

The kitchen has long been the symbol of family gatherings and welcoming aromas.  For many, this can be the busiest, most used space in their home.  With this in mind, doesn’t it deserve to operate more efficiently?  We think so!  This blog breaks down just a few tips to make your kitchen work for you…for less.

1. Use ENERGY STAR products.  ENERGY STAR products tend to consume 10 to 30 percent less energy than non-ENERGY STAR rated products.  Look for the blue label the next time you’re shopping for appliances.
2. Let your dishes air dry. The dishwasher uses more energy to dry dishes than to wash them. If your dishwasher doesn’t have the option of automatic air dry, simply open the door after the wash cycle and either let them air dry or dry them by hand with a towel.
3. Utilize energy efficient settings.  Dishwashers, for example, sometimes come with options to make the rinse cycle shorter or to change settings based on the size of the load inside.  Make sure you’re familiar with the settings available to you and use them accordingly.
4. Use the dishwasher for full loads.  Try not to run the dishwasher when it’s not full but also be sure not to overload the dishwasher.  Overloading a dishwasher could result in dishes not being washed and rinsed properly.
5. Avoid extra appliances.  For some, it’s a necessity but it’s a good idea to avoid having a second refrigerator or a freezer if they are rarely full.
6. Clean refrigerator coils at least twice a year.  You might have to clean them more often if you have pets that shed.  Condenser coils are located at the bottom or rear of your fridge.  Unclean coils can result in higher energy usage than actually needed.
7. Allow foods to partially cool.  Allow any hot foods time to cool before you put them in your refrigerator.  It takes more energy to cool hot food. Also make sure to cover foods and liquids for added savings.

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About Glacial Energy: Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost-saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting: www.GlacialEnergy.com.

Energy Efficient Computers

What do you tend to shop for when buying a new computer?  Speed, power, screen size?  That’s normal but what about how energy efficient it is?  Consider this: if all computers sold in the U.S. met ENERGY STAR requirements, energy savings would grow to $1.8 billion each year, reducing greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from more than 2 million cars.  Wow!

So, as you can guess, you’re going to get the most bang for your buck with an ENERGY STAR rated computer.  An ENERGY STAR rated computer uses between 30 to 65 percent less energy, depending on how it’s used.  ENERGY STAR rates different types of computers in the following categories:

• Desktops, Integrated Computers
• Notebooks and Tablets
• Workstations
• Small-scale servers
• Thin Clients

Even when you purchase an ENERGY STAR rated computer, you have to ensure that the power management settings they recommend are enabled (they won’t always be the default settings).  Here are some key points:

• Don’t leave the computer on around the clock.  It increases energy bills and can cause dust buildup, which can lead to a power surge.
• Screensavers don’t save energy.  In fact, it draws power and keeps the unit from shutting down.
• Many popular computer games will not allow the computer to go to sleep if left running in the background.

ENERGY STAR estimates that utilizing the power management settings can save you up to $50 each year on your electricity bills.  To find out more about ENERGY STAR, how they rate their products, and to calculate your savings, click on the source link below.

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About Glacial Energy: Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost-saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting: www.GlacialEnergy.com.

Electrical Safety Tips

Electricity has been around long enough that we don’t give it much thought.  We flip a switch and the light comes on (barring unforeseen circumstances, of course).  Sometimes, we get too comfortable and we neglect to take simple safety precautions.  Let’s take a look at a few tips to keep you and your family safe from electricity-related dangers.

1. Don’t yank the power cord: You’re in a rush and it would just be so easy to give the cord a little tug instead of walking over to the outlet and unplugging it properly; but pulling the cord could damage the plug, the outlet, and the unit. Do you see a spark sometimes when you yank out the cord?  Avoid risk of electric shock and unplug all your appliances and/or electronics safely.
2. Water and electronics don’t mix: Most of us know this but we would be remiss if we didn’t mention it.  Whether you’re in the bathroom, the kitchen, or any other room where there’s a chance an appliance could come into contact with water, keep this safety tip in mind.  For the outdoors, make sure you use extension cords that are designated for outdoor use.  They are made to withstand the elements, such as wet conditions when it rains.
3. Visible wires mean danger: If any of your appliances’ wires are showing, now is the time to get them repaired.  In some extreme cases, it’s best to just buy a new unit.  If the damage is minimal, repairs can be made with electrical tape.
4. Keep tree limbs trimmed: Do you have trees in your yard that are close to power lines?  Make sure to keep your tree limbs trimmed so that they are never touching the power lines.  Keep in mind that during high winds, limbs have the potential of falling on power lines, which can take out your power.
5. Teach your kids: Teach your kids the basics about electricity.  It’s a good idea to keep sockets covered when not in use but kids grow up and can remove these easily so teaching them the importance of electrical safety is always a good idea.  Here’s a great video to show your kids: http://youtu.be/Veyv2lFc_Fk
6. Avoid “Over” Plugging: What on earth do we mean by this?  It means don’t plug too many electronics into one power source.  Every outlet is limited to a certain amount of voltage and depending on what is plugged into it, it could be fine…or it could get overloaded.  Err on the side of caution and don’t plug too many appliances/electronics into one outlet.

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About Glacial Energy: Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost-saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting: www.GlacialEnergy.com.

Electrical Safety During Thunderstorms

For some, the sound of rain can be a calming experience but for most, a severe thunderstorm can be daunting.  However, one important thing that applies to everyone is the issue of electrical safety, especially during a thunderstorm.  Here are a few points to keep in mind the next time Mother Nature brings a bad storm to your front door.

1. Turn off and unplug: Except for appliances such as your refrigerator, washer, and dryer, it’s a good idea to unplug electrical units such as televisions throughout your residence.  Potential power surges during a storm can cause your appliances to receive either too much power or too little power, which can fry the internal components. Damage to the units can still take place even if they are turned off but still plugged in, so it is best to unplug them.  This also applies to electronics that are plugged in through surge protectors.  The surge protector usually takes the first hit leaving your electronics vulnerable.
2. Use the Stairs: If you live in an apartment complex on an upper level, make sure to never use the elevator during a thunderstorm.  It’s also a good idea to avoid it for a few minutes after the storm since a power surge could potentially still take place and leave you stuck inside.
3. Avoid Showering: Well, only during thunderstorms, of course.  Water is an excellent conductor of electricity so it’s best to avoid showers and baths.
4. Don’t Use Landline Phones: Lightning can flow into your home through your phone’s wires.  Use your cellphones instead but if you must use your landline, do so only in case of emergency.

Something to keep in mind:  When you hear thunder, lightning’s not far behind.  In fact, it’s within a 10 mile radius of you.  Just another reason why electrical safety during thunderstorms is important.  (Source)

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About Glacial Energy: Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost-saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting: www.GlacialEnergy.com.

The 411 on Your Home’s Electrical System

The electrical system in your home is similar to the nerves in the human body. It’s essential for the modern home to run properly. If there’s something wrong with your home’s electrical system, it will affect other aspects of the house. A worst case scenario can even prove deadly considering that there are 51,000 electricity-related fires per year. Thus, it is important to know as much as possible about your home’s electrical system so that you know what to do and who to call when you need help.

Knowing more about your home’s electrical system can help you to spot signs of trouble before they escalate, allowing you to address them before they become dangerous, time consuming, and costly. Take time to understand how much energy is being used, the type and age of wiring in your home, and whether or not you have grounded outlets. Know and understand a bit about your service panel as well.

The Service Panel

The service panel, which consists of fuses and circuit breakers, is the hub that acts as the point of distribution of energy to the other areas of the house.  It sends 110, 220, or more amps of power to your home through all your outlets and switches.

If you plan on working on the service panel, do so with extreme caution and only address minor issues such as replacing fuses.  One important note on this subject is to ensure that the replacement fuse matches the amperage rating on the circuit.

Do Your Research

If you plan on taking a do-it-yourself approach with minor projects, always do extensive research first.  When in doubt, the best approach is to contact a licensed professional to do the job for you.  As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

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About Glacial Energy: Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost-saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting: www.GlacialEnergy.com.

Be an Eco-Tourist!

Vacations are a wonderful way to escape reality when we need to. While you might not be able to get away from all of your troubles, a vacation is a nice way to unwind and recharge your batteries so you can get back to your life with renewed vigor. People today are starting to look for vacation options that are a bit out of the norm and a bit off the beaten path. “Green” vacations fit nicely into this category!

What is a Green Vacation?

A green vacation doesn’t mean a trip to the Emerald Isle (though that could certainly be a great destination!). What it does mean is being as environmentally conscious as possible when you travel. Ecotourism, as some call it, is a great way to visit places while reducing your carbon footprint.

Criteria of Ecotourism

According to Forbes, a destination must meet certain criteria before it’s considered an ecotourist spot.  First, all tourism providers or locations must respect local wildlife.  Second, they must employ a local staff, and lastly, tourism providers must focus on the outdoors with minimal impact to the natural environment.

Where to Go

Most of the time, green vacations focus on getting outside and enjoying nature. You can find some wonderful options all around the world. Places such as Indonesia, the Channel Islands, Alaska, and Costa Rica are great, but they are not the only options. Once you start looking, you will discover some options without even having to leave the continental United States.

Choosing a green vacation can be fun and rewarding. You get to enjoy the beauty of nature and living green, and you can often save on the costs of a traditional vacation.  Try it out for your next trip!

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About Glacial Energy: Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost-saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting: www.GlacialEnergy.com.

Energy Efficient…Cooking?!

Yes, you can make your cooking process more energy efficient.  In this blog, we break down a few ways on how you can be a greener cook.

1. Cover your pots and pans with tightly fitting lids while cooking so the steam stays trapped.  This helps decrease cooking time and your food cooks faster (win/win!).
2. Use pots and pans with flat bottoms and match pan size to the size of the electric surface unit. If a pan is too big or has a warped bottom, food won’t cook evenly. If the pan is too small for the surface unit, energy will be wasted.
3. Turn off your electric stove 2 to 3 minutes before the food is finished cooking. This way, the food will cook from the energy stored in the electric coil and will help you save money.
4. Use portable appliances for specialized cooking tasks. Appliances such as toaster ovens and slow cookers use less energy. If you plan to have a large gathering that requires you to cook a large quantity of food, you may want to consider using a portable stove in the garage rather than using the stove range in your home.  This will prevent your home from overheating and, therefore, your air conditioning unit from working harder to cool your home.
5. Use a microwave or convection oven instead of a conventional oven whenever possible. Microwave ovens use about one-third and convection ovens about two-thirds of the energy used by conventional ovens to cook the same amount of food.
6. Do not preheat the oven if you are cooking a dish with a slow cook time. Preheating is only recommended for dishes which will cook in just a few minutes and require the oven to get a head start.
7. Don’t open the oven door to peek at cooking food. The temperature drops 25° F to 30° F each time the oven door is opened.
8. Watch the clock while you cook. Do not overcook your food as it not only loses its texture, taste and consistency but also uses more energy. When foods are cooked with perfect timing and heat, they taste better and are healthier for you.
9. Make use of the oven’s leftover heat. Your oven retains heat for 15 to 30 minutes after it is turned off. Use that free heat to warm up desserts, rolls, and more.

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About Glacial Energy: Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost-saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting: www.GlacialEnergy.com.