Monday, September 7, 2009
100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #94
Sunday, September 6, 2009
100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #93
web site links, free useful software, etc. For example, if thousands of other web sites are promoting the same free e-book and that's what you're promoting too, people are likely to have already downloaded it and won't visit your web site.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #92
product for a different market. For example, if your e-book is about starting an accounting business, you could rewrite it for a gardening business.
Friday, September 4, 2009
100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #91
Thursday, September 3, 2009
100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #90
association logo and link on their web site. For example, if you had 1000 members, that would be
1000 people indirectly promoting your web site without paying them affiliate commissions.
Cut Your Energy Bills - part 2
provided by
4. Electricity Use
Annual Savings $300
Between lights, electronics, and appliances, electricity accounts for almost 40 percent of the average home's energy use. But there are ways to cut back in each category without sacrificing.
By changing 10 bulbs and replacing three major appliances with energy-efficient models, you can save hundreds per year. As our survey found, many American are already taking advantage of those savings. Almost two-thirds have replaced an incandescent lightbulb with a CFL. As for appliances, 34 percent of respondents told us they've upgraded to an energy-efficient model. It doesn't make sense to pitch a perfectly good appliance or electronic item, but if you're in the market for a new one, the type you choose can make a difference. For example, side-by-side refrigerators use more energy than top- or bottom-mounts, top-loading washers use more electricity and water than front-loaders, and plasma TVs use more electricity than LCD sets.
| More from ConsumerReports.org: • Don't Get Bitten by Credit-Card Changes • The Fine Print on Job-Loss Protection • Would You Buy That Mattress Again? |
Easy, Low-Cost Solutions
Plug electronics into power strips with built-in sensors that automatically shut off devices that aren't in use. Set your computer to hibernate. Use LED holiday string lights. Turn off lights when you leave a room.
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Energy All-Stars
The EcoSmart 423-599 240EDXO-14 compact fluorescent bulb was the top performer in our tests. It replaces a 60-watt standard incandescent bulb and costs only $1.50.
The GE WCVH6800J, an $800 front-loading washer, scored excellent in both water and energy efficiencies, saving up to $125 per year over a traditional top-loader.
Good News: You're Being Audited!
| More from Yahoo! Finance: • The 10 Most Expensive Cars on the Road • 13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill • What Your Dollar-Value Meal Really Costs Visit the Family & Home Center |
Unlike the IRS version, a home-energy audit can save you money. It provides a comprehensive assessment of your home's heating, cooling, and distribution systems; an insulation checkup; and a review of your energy bills. A well-trained auditor will also interview you to correct any inefficient behaviors. Audits have proven so effective at curbing energy use that Austin, Texas, requires home sellers to share their results with buyers.
Costs Vary
Certified auditors charge from $300 to $800. But you might not have to pay anything. Some local utilities offer free audits. If not, consider doing it yourself, especially if you think your home is relatively efficient. The Department of Energy's Web site, at www.energysavers.gov, has detailed information on do-it-yourself energy audits and links to finding local auditors. If the results of your DIY audit look bad, hire a professional for a more detailed assessment.
Check Credentials
Those who are certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) or the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) have undergone thorough training and will probably use a calibrated blower door and an infrared camera. Those tools enable the auditor to quantify the amount of air leakage and the probable effectiveness of any air-sealing job.
Though RESNET stops with the audit, BPI also has certified contractors who are trained to make necessary fixes, plus third-party inspectors who ensure compliance with BPI standards.
Bottom Line
Not all energy-saving projects are equal. So have the auditor prioritize any suggested work by savings and payback time.
Also remember that not everyone who hangs a green shingle has the training to identify inefficiencies. There are eco-consultants, who might charge $99 for a 60-minute walk-through of your home, pointing out leaky faucets and inefficient lightbulbs. Then there are general contractors who see energy efficiency as the one bright spot in an otherwise shrinking industry. Last but not least are single-product salespeople. "Homeowners have been hearing forever that replacing their windows can save 40 percent," says Chandler von Schrader, head of the Environmental Protection Agency's Home Performance with Energy Star program. "These claims aren't justified and they create a false expectation."
Energy Tax Credits At a Glance
Uncle Sam wants you to save energy, and he's putting his money where his mouth is. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes tax credits for making your home more energy efficient. The credits cover 30 percent of projects finished in 2009 and 2010, up to $1,500 per year for most projects. But they don't include installation costs for insulation, sealing air leaks, windows, doors, and roofs. Solar, wind, and geothermal projects qualify for up to 30 percent of their cost, not just $1,500.
Unlike deductions, tax credits directly reduce the amount of tax you owe. If the project involves renewable energy, such as solar or wind, the cap is waived and the credit can be carried over to future years. If you're subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax, you might want to get your project done in 2009 because the tax credits will be limited by the AMT in 2010 unless Congress changes the law. To claim the credits, you'll need to file IRS Form 5695 with your taxes for the year in which the job was completed.
Be sure to keep a copy of the Manufacturer's Certification Statement and all receipts and itemized bills. Actual costs and savings will vary depending on the size, age, location, and condition of your home.
Federal energy tax credits don't cover appliances, programmable thermostats, and room air conditioners, but state governments and utility companies often offer rebates on energy-efficient models. For more information, go to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, at www.dsireusa.org.
finance.yahoo.com
Cut Your Energy Bills - part 1
provided by
You can save $1,500 with these 4 strategies
Most homes, including yours, waste energy. That inefficiency is costing you plenty, but it doesn't have to.
Even if you've already switched to compact fluorescent bulbs and retired the refrigerator in the basement, there's more you can do. Some of the simplest projects, such as adding insulation and sealing cracks and ductwork, can yield the biggest savings. And thanks to new federal tax credits, it will take less time for those projects to pay for themselves.
| More from ConsumerReports.org: • Don't Get Bitten by Credit-Card Changes • The Fine Print on Job-Loss Protection • Would You Buy That Mattress Again? |
Yet in a recent nationally representative Consumer Reports survey of 2,014 Americans, only 12 percent had added or upgraded their home's insulation in the last three years. Just a paltry 5 percent had insulated their heating and cooling ductwork.
Conflicting and confusing claims can make it hard to know where the real savings are. So we've examined the claims across four key categories -- heating and cooling, water, recycling, and electricity -- and ordered them by potential money and energy savings based on national rates for electricity, gas, and water. We've also mined our survey data to figure out what consumers are doing and where there's room for improvement. The result is a road map for taking your home's energy efficiency to the next level.
1. Heating and Cooling
Annual Savings $550
| More from Yahoo! Finance: • The 10 Most Expensive Cars on the Road • 13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill • What Your Dollar-Value Meal Really Costs Visit the Family & Home Center |
Approximately 40 percent of residential energy bills are for heating and cooling. That's also where you can reap the greatest savings. In the winter, warm air inside your home rises and escapes into the attic through holes and gaps. It's replaced by colder exterior air that's pulled in through cracks and gaps in the lower levels. That leads to drafty, uncomfortable rooms and high energy bills, even in newer homes. "There's a huge gap between what's in the building code and what's needed for optimal energy efficiency," says Frank O'Brien-Bernini, chief sustainability officer for Owens Corning, an insulation manufacturer.
Eliminate Leaks
Use a combination of caulk, foam board, expandable sealant, and weather stripping to fill gaps. Attics in particular are often full of holes from recessed lights, electrical wiring, chimney chases, and more. Look for dirty insulation, which is a sign of air leaks. In the basement, check for gaps around ductwork and plumbing pipes. And don't forget about window and door frames, as well as electrical outlets and switches. Cracked caulking and staining around those openings are indications of air leaks. One trick of the trade: Turn on all of the exhaust fans in the home and then use an incense stick or smoke pen to spot leaks. Or try that without the fans on a windy day.
Check Insulation Levels
If your attic has less than 11 inches of fiberglass or rock wool or 8 inches of cellulose, you would probably benefit by adding more. Also check for missing insulation, over the attic hatch, for example. Compressed insulation loses its effectiveness, so don't store things on top of it. You may also need to add insulation in the basement or crawl space. Go to www.energysavers.gov and search for "ZIP code insulation program" to find specific recommendations for your area.
| Shades of Green |
Here's a snapshot of those green measures that have been embraced and those that still have a ways to go.  |
Correct Ductwork
It's the last step, and the one that's the most overlooked. Spending $500 to seal leaky or poorly insulated ducts that run through crawl spaces, attics, or other unconditioned areas can save you about $400 per year, according to the Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor, an online calculator available at www.rehabadvisor.pathnet.org. Remediation is dirty work that requires the right materials. Leave it to a qualified heating and cooling pro.
A buttoned-up house won't leak energy, but you should still have your heating and cooling equipment inspected annually, and change furnace and A/C filters monthly. A programmable thermostat is also worth every penny. By automatically lowering your heating-system thermostat 5 to 10 degrees at night and during the day if no one is home, the device will shave up to 20 percent off of your heating costs. It can also save on cooling costs. In our survey, roughly six in ten respondents with a programmable model have seen savings. But you need to stick to those settings to save.
Easy, Low-Cost Solutions
Lock double-hung windows to prevent air from escaping. Open curtains on south-facing windows on cold days to let in the sun.
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Energy All-Stars
The Lux Smart Temp Touch Screen TX9000TS programmable thermostat, $80, was especially easy to operate and maintains steady temperatures. The screen on the $55 Hunter Set & Save 44360 was easier to read than most. Some tested thermostats were so difficult to use that you might end up using more energy.
2. Water Consumption
Dollar Savings $400
If you're not already aware of your household's water use, you will be soon. Almost four in five states anticipate water shortages by 2013, which could lead to steeper rates and penalties for excessive use. When it comes to showering and washing dishes and clothes, you're also paying to heat the water.
Stop Drips
It's the fastest way to conserve, saving the average household about $70 a year. Next, upgrade to water-efficient fixtures. Low-flow showerheads can save as much as $265 per year on water bills. "A $30 showerhead can save more money than $3,000 worth of solar panels," says Charlie Szoradi, of Green and Save, a company based in Devon, Pa., that analyzes the payback of energy-efficiency projects. Switching to a low-flow toilet, which uses 1.28 gallons per flush compared with the 3.5 to 5 gallons of a 15-year-old or older model, can save $90. Also check for utility rebates.
Watch the Water Heater
Lower the temperature to 120° F and insulate your hot-water pipes. If your unit is more than a decade old, do your research now. That way you'll get a new unit that has a long warranty and is sized appropriately, not whatever's on the truck of the only plumber who calls you back when your old heater breaks.
Easy, Low-Cost Solutions
Insulate your water heater. Don't prerinse dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. Add an aerator to faucets.
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Energy All-Stars
Kohler's Cimarron K-3609 toilet, $300, excelled in our solid and liquid tests and used 1.28 gallons per flush.
Our testers described the watersaving American Standard FlowWise Dual Function 1660.717 showerhead, $50, as refreshing and stimulating. The Moen Inspire 21777, also $50, used slightly more water but has more settings.
3. Recycling
Dollar Savings $250
Though recycling saves the least money, it generated some of the highest results in our survey. Two-thirds of people said they recycle paper and plastic, and over half recycle metal and glass -- proof that being green isn't just about saving green.
Rewards and Penalties Initiated
RecycleBank, which is now used by a million people across 20 states, lets you put all of your recyclables in one container instead of separating them by type. Then it weighs the container and issues rewards or points redeemable at local retailers. The average household gets $250 worth. "Pay As You Throw" programs, in 7,100 communities nationwide according to Skumatz Economic Research Associates of Superior, Colo., treat trash like a utility: Homeowners are charged for the garbage they throw out. And if you're not redeeming bottle deposits, you're not alone. Millions of dollars are unclaimed every year.
Nontraditional Recycling Is Low
Our survey revealed less widespread recycling rates for items such as batteries (32 percent), printer cartridges (30 percent), small electronics (17 percent), CFLs (16 percent), and large electronics (12 percent). Some of the most common reasons for throwing items away instead of recycling them were that people didn't think the item could be recycled or they didn't have enough information to do so. But just about everything that comes into the home can be recycled. The Web site Earth911.com lists more than 100,000 recycling locations, which can be searched by material and ZIP code. If you come up empty there, contact your department of solid-waste management.
A large percentage of respondents told us they donated or otherwise gave away certain household items, including furniture (29 percent), small appliances (28 percent), and major appliances (21 percent). If you go that route, first check with the Better Business Bureau (www.give.org) or Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) to make sure you're giving to a worthy cause.
Easy, Low-Cost Solutions
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Start a compost bin for organic food scraps or ask whether the local farmers market will take them. Trade household items on sites such as freecycle.org. Invest in a reusable water container to cut down on your household's use of plastic water bottles. Take spent CFLs to a Home Depot for recycling.
Energy All-Stars
Whole Foods Recycled Foldable Tote, $4, was especially good at containing leaks and isn't as bulky as most bags. Its $1 cousin, A Better Bag, held the most and can be returned if it rips. But it absorbed leaks, so spills are a bit harder to clean.
finance.yahoo.com
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #89
It saves them precious time searching for them. For example, if your target audience is interested
in online greeting cards, create a web site directory full of links to similar sites.
