This Season's Topics:
How To Save on Hot Water Heating
It's Time To Hit The Pool
Spring Lawn Watering Tips
New Hybrid Vehicles Increase Gas-saving Options
for Consumers
HOW TO SAVE ON HOT WATER HEATING
You can use your hot water more efficiently (and therefore, cut your water heating bills) by:
Daily Energy Savings Tip : Dishwashers and showers use less water than hand-washing dishes and taking baths.
Before you invest in a new pool heater, it is a good idea to make your pool as efficient as possible. The easiest way to lower your pool heating costs is to use a pool cover that stops heat loss and evaporation when the pool is not in use. By reducing heating needs before buying a solar pool heater, you may be able to purchase a smaller system, and that saves money.
For a checklist of ways to reduce swimming pool heating costs while extending your swimming season, take a look at these ideas: http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/heatcool/hc_pool_heating.html
Also Visit the Department of Energy's Reduce Swimming Pool Energy Costs! Web site for more information on lowering your pool heating costs.
You can do right by your lawn and save money on your water (and wastewater) bill by adopting a smart lawn watering strategy. And daily watering is not it!
In the spring, heavy watering will bring you wimpy grass with shallow roots not strong enough to withstand the summer's heat. Make your grass and its roots hearty with only 7-10 day watering in the spring. This can go to twice a week during the summer.
So here's the formula for a good, strong stand of grass and lower utility bills:
Walk on your lawn. If there are shoe prints (fescue, bluegrass and zoysia) should spring back. If not, do not water for 48 hrs.
Johnson County residents may call Water District No. 1. It offers watering seminars, as well as home visits to help gauge and time automatic sprinklers. Call 913-895-5761.
New Hybrid Vehicles Increase Gas-saving Options
for Consumers
The number of hybrid vehicles available to consumers continues to grow as General Motors (GM) plans to offer hybrid versions of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra later in the 2004 model year. These will be the first commercially available hybrid pickup trucks. Ford is planning on launching its small SUV Escape in a hybrid electric-gas version in 2004 also. Toyota and Lexus plan to follow suit with hybrid SUV's and sedans.
The Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius are still available to consumers and offer exceptional gas mileage, the best in their respective classes. These vehicles are also environmentally friendly, emitting less smog-forming emissions than most conventional vehicles. You may be eligible for a one-time tax rebate when you buy an hybrid vehicle. Go to this website for more details: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax_hybrid.shtml
For detailed information on specific hybrid electric-gas vehicles, go to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_news.shtml
Want to know how a hybrid engine works? Check out this site: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybridtech.shtml