THE CURRENT by First Choice Power | Your complete resource guide to energy use by First Choice Power.

The Eco-Friendly Clothes Closet

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We all love a fashionable wardrobe, but the average American throws away nearly 68 pounds of clothes a year! This Mind Your Textile Waste infographic is full of facts that might surprise you. Bottom line: How you choose, care for and dispose of your clothes can really make a difference. Smart clothing choices: Fill out your wardrobe by shopping consignment stores and thrift stores. Get … Read More...

May 16, 2012 Author FirstChoicePower

#EcoMonday: A/C Maintenance Tips, Texas Style

Your air conditioner is one of your home’s biggest investments — and in Texas, it’s something we rely on many months of the year. If you’ve upgraded to a high-efficiency, high-SEER unit, congrats! You’re saving money and lightening the load on the Texas power grid. But without proper maintenance, your unit may be operating well below peak efficiency. Experts agree that without routine annual maintenance, … Read More...

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May 14, 2012 Author FirstChoicePower

Peas Help Out

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Don’t forget to put some peas out for the mailman on May 12. Nope, it’s not a prank—it’s just time for the 20th annual Stamp Out Hunger! Put on by the National Association of Letter Carriers, Stamp Out Hunger is a yearly event when postal carriers around the country collect non-perishable food donations for local food banks. According to Feeding America, one in seven Americans … Read More...

May 11, 2012 Author Catherine

Fire up the grill—and celebrate National Hamburger Month

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You’ve probably heard the expression “as American as apple pie.” But guess what—the first written reference to an apple pie was an English recipe that appeared in 1361! The hamburger, on the other hand, while not as “old” is also an all-American classic. Since May is National Hamburger Month, let’s take a closer look at the beloved burger in all its juicy glory. The Library … Read More...

May 9, 2012 Author FirstChoicePower

#EcoMonday: Saving Money on Your Electric Bill: Step #5

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Happy Monday, Bill Slimmers! It’s time to take the fifth step toward reducing your electric bill—checking your air ducts for leaks! Step 5: Looking for Leaks Leaky, torn and disconnected ducts can reduce your home’s energy efficiency by a whopping 20%. This not only costs you more, but also puts big stress on your HVAC system. Guard Your Grills Start looking for duct leaks at … Read More...

May 7, 2012 Author FirstChoicePower

Hey Grill, You’re Looking Fine

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As spring warms up into summer, Texans’ minds turn to grilling. (It’s a great way to make dinner without heating up the whole house.) You probably give your grill the occasional scrape with a metal brush (or maybe an onion), but when was the last time you really got rid of all those burned on, dried up bits that are hiding inside? If you’ve got … Read More...

May 2, 2012 Author FirstChoicePower

#EcoMonday: Have You E-cycled Lately?

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We know ya’ll have been working really hard to be a little greener. You always recycle your old newspapers, soda cans and pickle jars, you compost your kitchen scraps, and you even setup a rain barrel in the backyard, but how much e-cycling have you done lately? E-waste or electronic waste refers to electronic products that are discarded by consumers and can include everything from … Read More...

Rain Barrels 101: Simple Tips for Collecting Rainwater in Your Own Back Yard

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Let’s start with a quick math quiz. If you have a 2000-square-foot roof, how many gallons of water do you think you could you collect for every inch of rain that falls on your roof? 200 gallons? 600? Maybe even 900? Guess again – the answer is 1240. A mere 1/10 inch of rain can collect up to 120 gallons of water. And it’s estimated … Read More...

April 25, 2012 Author FirstChoicePower

Happy 20th Birthday, Energy Star!

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Anyone who takes steps, large or small, to conserve energy is an energy star in our book. Thanks to the ENERGY STAR® program – a joint project of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy – making smart, energy-saving choices gets easier all the time. The program celebrates its 20th birthday this spring, so now seems like a good time to recap all … Read More...

April 24, 2012 Author FirstChoicePower

Earth Day 2012

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In April 1970, gas was 36 cents a gallon. Paul McCartney announced he was leaving the Beatles. Against all odds, the Apollo 13 crew returned to Earth after an oxygen tank exploded on the way to the moon. And a few days later, 20 million Americans ventured out on a sunny Wednesday afternoon to demonstrate for environmental reform – the first-ever Earth Day. Wide ties, … Read More...

April 22, 2012 Author FirstChoicePower