How to Save Money & Energy in Your Home

Technology changes so fast, it seems like there are always newer computers, music devices or mobile devices. As this happens, we upgrade to the next big thing on the market. When upgrading and setting up these electronics, something to think about is energy efficiency. Here are a few tips to think about to save some green and have a more energy-efficient house.

Look for ENERGY STAR Products.

When purchasing a device, if it has the Energy Star label, this means, the device can use less energy than other devices which do not have the Energy Star. There's everything from refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers, and air conditioners designed to use less energy and save money each money for your energy bills.

Replace Those Bulbs.

Choose compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) instead of incandescent bulbs. Not only will CFLs last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, but they will also use 75% less energy. LED bulbs are mercury-free and may last three to five times as long as CFLs. While these bulbs are pricier than a typical incandescent bulb, you won't have to replace them nearly as much, and of course there's the energy-saving perk.

Use a Power Strip.

Plug home electronics and office equipment into a power strip with an on/off switch. This will allow you to turn off all power to the devices in one quick step. Once the power strip is turned off, no power will be sent to the outlets on the strip, thereby eliminating power waste. Many new power strips come with two or three “always on” outlets allowing you to maintain power to devices you do not want to power off completely. If needed, plug these devices into a separate power strip that only is turned off when you are going to be away for more than a few days.

Turn it Off.

A good general rule to use is if the device is not in use, turn it off. However, sometimes that can’t happen so if you have a laptop or device which has a power save or low power mode, use it. This can not only save you energy but may keep the device running cooler and allow it to last longer. When it comes to computer monitors, screen savers are helpful and may prevent “screen burn in” but really don’t help you save energy. So, if the monitor can be turned off, do so.

Unplug It.

The simplest and most obvious way to eliminate power loss is to unplug products when not in use. Check the wall sockets in your house for hidden un-connected chargers and other devices that don't need to be plugged in. For example, when you unplug your devices from its charger, unplug the charger too. Unplug chargers for your portable devices when the product can't be charged.

Follow these tips and check out other ways to save some energy and money, here. You'd be surprised of ways that you can save energy already in your house! Take a look around and see how you can make your humble abode more energy efficient today and for years to come.