Smart Meters, also known as Advanced Meters, take the place of conventional electric meters. Through a series of wired and/or wireless networks, consumption information and data can be sent directly to utility companies. This eliminates the need for monthly visits by a meter reader, which saves us the gas that would have been burned to visit all of those meters. More importantly, however, this means that utility companies will be able to closely monitor rates of consumption as it rises and falls throughout the day, therefore allowing them to introduce dynamic pricing that is based on simple supply and demand economics. Customers will then be able to track these variable rates and their consumption, with the hope that this will encourage homeowners to use less power during peak periods.

Many major utility companies are now experimenting with the Tendril Residential Energy Ecosystem, or TREE, introduced by the Tendril company based out of Boulder, Colorado. In this automated energy management system, homes are outfitted with items such as smart thermostats, power supplies, and other electronic equipment that are connected to each other and their power supplying utilities through a series of networks. These appliances can then be monitored by both the individual and the utility so that their power usage can be scaled back accordingly. It is a win-win situation for business or home owners and the utilities that supply them with power. Check out Tendril here: www.tendrilinc.com

If you haven't gone out to buy that new Energy Star refrigerator yet, GO! But in the meantime, here are a few tips to keep that older refrigerator efficient until you get that shiny new eco-friendly one:

1. Just as your mother always told you, Keep that refrigerator door shut!!! Every time that door is opened, the refrigerator can lose up to 30% of its cooled air, and that means it has to work that much harder and spend that much more energy to cool it down again (that goes for the heated air in the oven as well). So listen to the wise words of your mother and do the right thing.
2. Be sure to check the seal(s) on your refrigerator and freezer door(s). This can be easily done with a dollar bill. Just shut the door on a dollar bill and if you can easily pull out the bill then it is time to replace the gaskets. Replacement kits can be purchased from local appliance dealers or home centers. Weak seals on your refrigerator and freezer doors can lead to significant energy loss.
3. About twice a year vacuum those refrigerator coils to keep that compressor running efficiently. It's a dirty job, but it will save you money and energy costs.
4. Don't make your refrigerator too cold, try to keep it at around 36 - 38ºF. The same goes for the freezer, which should be kept at around 0 - 5ºF.
5. Try as hard as you can to resist the temptation of overloading the refrigerator. In order to keep foods at the proper temperature and maintain optimum efficiency, the cool air needs to be able to circulate freely.

When buying new appliances, make sure you are buying Energy Star appliances. By replacing a ten year old washer or dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, and A/C unit you could save as much as $180.00 per year. Also, be sure to check with your utility companies, as they may offer some rebate checks for older appliances that you take out of service. Some may even come directly to your home to pick up and dispose of these older appliances. Also check with your big box retailer, as they may be offering 0% financing for up to 3 years. If you do the addition in savings from the rebate checks, the reduction in your energy cost at your utility company, and the 0% financing, you could end up saving a great deal. These newer appliances just make sense in whichever way you choose to look at them. Here is a website for more information regarding the Energy Star Program: www.energystar.gov