Dec 8, 2007
Aug 3, 2007
Mar 26, 2007
Tips for saving fuel
Tips & Advice
Tips for saving fuel
A few simple suggestions to keep costs in check
With gas prices surging past $3.00, drivers can benefit from many different strategies to save fuel. The obvious first step is buying a fuel-efficient car.
To get the best fuel economy, choosing a four-cylinder engine rather than a V6, or a V6 rather than a V8, is usually the way to go. Small, light cars tend to be more miserly with fuel than larger vehicles. Consumer Reports' monthly road tests include our fuel-economy measurements for city and highway driving and for overall driving and we list the most fuel efficient cars that we have tested on our Web site. You can also visit the EPA's Web site, www.fueleconomy.gov to find data on fuel-efficient cars.
However, once you've bought a vehicle, you can even go farther for less money if you follow these tips:
No loitering. Don't let the engine run at idle any longer than necessary. After starting the car in the morning, begin driving right away; don't let it sit and "warm up" for several minutes. An engine actually warms up faster while driving. With most gasoline engines, it's more efficient to turn off the engine than to idle for any longer than 30 seconds.
Easy does it. Driving smoothly and steadily makes the best use of your fuel. If you can, avoid hard acceleration or braking. Once up to speed, maintain a steady pace in top gear. Varying your speed a lot wastes fuel. A vehicle's gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Smooth acceleration, cornering, and braking not only save fuel but also extend the life of the engine, transmission, brakes, and tires.
It's a drag. At highway speeds, more than 50 percent of engine power goes to overcoming aerodynamic drag. Try not to add to the drag by carrying things on top of your vehicle. A loaded roof rack can decrease a car's fuel efficiency by 5 percent. Even driving with empty ski racks wastes gas. In addition, if you have air conditioning, use it only when you really need it. Running the air conditioner robs power from the engine and uses additional fuel.
Stay warm. An engine runs most inefficiently when it's cold. It not only uses more fuel but also creates the most exhaust emissions and suffers the most wear. Avoid many short, separate trips--and unnecessary cold starts--by combining as many errands as possible into one trip.
Getting regular. If your car specifies regular fuel, don't buy premium under the mistaken belief that your engine will benefit. Most cars are designed to run just fine on regular gasoline. Furthermore, many cars that recommend premium fuel also run well on regular. Check your owner's manual to find out if your engine is designed to handle either grade. And consider buying off-brand gasoline, which is most often identical to what is sold at franchised gas stations.
Watch the tires. Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires require more energy to roll, which not only wastes fuel but also wears the tires faster. According to the EPA, a tire that is underinflated by only 2 pounds per square inch can cause a 1 percent increase in fuel consumption. Underinflated tires can also build up excess heat, which can lead to tire failure. Check your vehicle's tire pressures at least once a month, when the tires are cold. Also, check the tires before and after long road trips. The recommended tire pressure is found on a label inside the car--usually in a door jamb or inside the glove-box lid.
Stay tuned. Running a car in poor mechanical condition can dramatically lower your fuel economy. A poorly maintained engine can cut gas mileage by 10 to 20 percent. A clogged air filter alone can cause up to a 10 percent increase in fuel consumption. Be sure to follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner's manual, and have the car promptly serviced if you sense any unusual sounds, smells, or vibrations.
Tips for saving fuel
A few simple suggestions to keep costs in check
With gas prices surging past $3.00, drivers can benefit from many different strategies to save fuel. The obvious first step is buying a fuel-efficient car.
To get the best fuel economy, choosing a four-cylinder engine rather than a V6, or a V6 rather than a V8, is usually the way to go. Small, light cars tend to be more miserly with fuel than larger vehicles. Consumer Reports' monthly road tests include our fuel-economy measurements for city and highway driving and for overall driving and we list the most fuel efficient cars that we have tested on our Web site. You can also visit the EPA's Web site, www.fueleconomy.gov to find data on fuel-efficient cars.
However, once you've bought a vehicle, you can even go farther for less money if you follow these tips:
No loitering. Don't let the engine run at idle any longer than necessary. After starting the car in the morning, begin driving right away; don't let it sit and "warm up" for several minutes. An engine actually warms up faster while driving. With most gasoline engines, it's more efficient to turn off the engine than to idle for any longer than 30 seconds.
Easy does it. Driving smoothly and steadily makes the best use of your fuel. If you can, avoid hard acceleration or braking. Once up to speed, maintain a steady pace in top gear. Varying your speed a lot wastes fuel. A vehicle's gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Smooth acceleration, cornering, and braking not only save fuel but also extend the life of the engine, transmission, brakes, and tires.
It's a drag. At highway speeds, more than 50 percent of engine power goes to overcoming aerodynamic drag. Try not to add to the drag by carrying things on top of your vehicle. A loaded roof rack can decrease a car's fuel efficiency by 5 percent. Even driving with empty ski racks wastes gas. In addition, if you have air conditioning, use it only when you really need it. Running the air conditioner robs power from the engine and uses additional fuel.
Stay warm. An engine runs most inefficiently when it's cold. It not only uses more fuel but also creates the most exhaust emissions and suffers the most wear. Avoid many short, separate trips--and unnecessary cold starts--by combining as many errands as possible into one trip.
Getting regular. If your car specifies regular fuel, don't buy premium under the mistaken belief that your engine will benefit. Most cars are designed to run just fine on regular gasoline. Furthermore, many cars that recommend premium fuel also run well on regular. Check your owner's manual to find out if your engine is designed to handle either grade. And consider buying off-brand gasoline, which is most often identical to what is sold at franchised gas stations.
Watch the tires. Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires require more energy to roll, which not only wastes fuel but also wears the tires faster. According to the EPA, a tire that is underinflated by only 2 pounds per square inch can cause a 1 percent increase in fuel consumption. Underinflated tires can also build up excess heat, which can lead to tire failure. Check your vehicle's tire pressures at least once a month, when the tires are cold. Also, check the tires before and after long road trips. The recommended tire pressure is found on a label inside the car--usually in a door jamb or inside the glove-box lid.
Stay tuned. Running a car in poor mechanical condition can dramatically lower your fuel economy. A poorly maintained engine can cut gas mileage by 10 to 20 percent. A clogged air filter alone can cause up to a 10 percent increase in fuel consumption. Be sure to follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner's manual, and have the car promptly serviced if you sense any unusual sounds, smells, or vibrations.
Mar 20, 2007
Case Studies - Fuel Savings
Case Studies - Fuel Savings
# Case Studies - Fuel Savings with Irish Bio Fuels 3000sq foot timber framed house
# 5 en suite bathrooms
# Property heated by radiators
# Building insulated between double slabs
# Low u value glass windows with sun protect
# 500 litre water tank 2 coils one solar
# Boiler 20kw pellet burner and boiler
# Pellet storage wheelie bin
# June - Boiler used 155kg pellets €26
# July - Boiler used 150kg pellets €25
# Aug - Boiler used 150 kg pellets €25
# Sept - Boiler auto 150 kg pellets €25
Based on current values it costs about €6.50 per week to heat all hot water. Allowing for more usage in winter lets say double for 40 weeks. To heat this house for a year will cost with electric approx €650 to €700.
This is a new build house with extremely good insulation values. A traditional house will use more lets say double €1400 to compare this with oil an average fill today €740. Four fills per year €2960 this gives an average saving of €1500 , could you not do with this money?
Irish Bio Fuels
- Eco Friendly Smokeless Fuel for Irish homes.
# Case Studies - Fuel Savings with Irish Bio Fuels 3000sq foot timber framed house
# 5 en suite bathrooms
# Property heated by radiators
# Building insulated between double slabs
# Low u value glass windows with sun protect
# 500 litre water tank 2 coils one solar
# Boiler 20kw pellet burner and boiler
# Pellet storage wheelie bin
# June - Boiler used 155kg pellets €26
# July - Boiler used 150kg pellets €25
# Aug - Boiler used 150 kg pellets €25
# Sept - Boiler auto 150 kg pellets €25
Based on current values it costs about €6.50 per week to heat all hot water. Allowing for more usage in winter lets say double for 40 weeks. To heat this house for a year will cost with electric approx €650 to €700.
This is a new build house with extremely good insulation values. A traditional house will use more lets say double €1400 to compare this with oil an average fill today €740. Four fills per year €2960 this gives an average saving of €1500 , could you not do with this money?
Irish Bio Fuels
- Eco Friendly Smokeless Fuel for Irish homes.
Money Savers — Heritage Card
Money Savers — Heritage Card
Heritage SitesHeritage Card — No visit to Ireland is complete without seeing some of the great historical, cultural, archaeological, and scenic sites — such as the Rock of Cashel, Clonmacnois, Muckross House & Gardens, Newgrange and the Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre, Ceide Fields, Charles Fort, Blasket Centre, Hill of Tara, Kilkenny Castle, Castletown House, and the National Parks at Connemara, Derrynane, Glenveagh, Killarney and Wicklow.
Admission charges to all of these sites can quickly add up to a
considerable amount. But you can have them all (and more)
for just 20 euros if you purchase a Heritage Card.
This card provides unlimited admission to all of the sites operated by
Duchas — The Heritage Service of Ireland, a unit of the government's
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. There are over 70 sites including castles, historic buildings, monasteries, monuments,
abbeys, museums, galleries, heritage centers, great houses, forts,
prehistoric sites, islands, parks, and wildlife areas.
The Heritage Card costs 21 euros for adults, 8 euros for children, and 16 euro for seniors (over 60) so if you plan on visiting at least four or five sites during the course of your stay, you'll save money, and if you visit two or three sites a day for a week or two (which is normal in the course of sightseeing), you'll easily save two or three times the cost of the card!
Purchase the card at any member site in Ireland or go to the following web site in advance of your trip: www.heritageireland.ie.
Heritage SitesHeritage Card — No visit to Ireland is complete without seeing some of the great historical, cultural, archaeological, and scenic sites — such as the Rock of Cashel, Clonmacnois, Muckross House & Gardens, Newgrange and the Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre, Ceide Fields, Charles Fort, Blasket Centre, Hill of Tara, Kilkenny Castle, Castletown House, and the National Parks at Connemara, Derrynane, Glenveagh, Killarney and Wicklow.
Admission charges to all of these sites can quickly add up to a
considerable amount. But you can have them all (and more)
for just 20 euros if you purchase a Heritage Card.
This card provides unlimited admission to all of the sites operated by
Duchas — The Heritage Service of Ireland, a unit of the government's
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. There are over 70 sites including castles, historic buildings, monasteries, monuments,
abbeys, museums, galleries, heritage centers, great houses, forts,
prehistoric sites, islands, parks, and wildlife areas.
The Heritage Card costs 21 euros for adults, 8 euros for children, and 16 euro for seniors (over 60) so if you plan on visiting at least four or five sites during the course of your stay, you'll save money, and if you visit two or three sites a day for a week or two (which is normal in the course of sightseeing), you'll easily save two or three times the cost of the card!
Purchase the card at any member site in Ireland or go to the following web site in advance of your trip: www.heritageireland.ie.
Energy Saving Light Bulbs
Energy Saving Light Bulbs, These use only 20% of what a standard 100W Bulbs uses, Saving you money...
Mar 2, 2007
Mar 1, 2007
Money Saver
Bring your own food into work. Ham and Cheese is a winner on two slices of bread. Make a sandwich the night before and store it in the fridge. Hey even bring teabags, milk and viola cheap way to live.
Carwise - Saving you Money
Drive in the highest possible gear - usually 5th where possible
Driving in 5th gear will use 38% less fuel than zooming around in 3rd.
Also recommend check your tires and maintenance of the engine will help to save those euros.
Using a higher octane fuel is excellent at both cleaning the engine and giving better performance.
Driving in 5th gear will use 38% less fuel than zooming around in 3rd.
Also recommend check your tires and maintenance of the engine will help to save those euros.
Using a higher octane fuel is excellent at both cleaning the engine and giving better performance.
Bad Buys
Bad Buys
Went to PC World to buy an LCD screen from ADVENT. Twice I had to bring it back, as there was a missing part.
First of all I bought presuming it was all included and worked, which it didn’t so I brought it back and got another, only to discover that parts were missing.
Eventually went back a third time and got my money back.
Hey PC World if you want to do business with the public don’t sell such crap…
Feb 28, 2007
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