Save Money and Energy at Home

Making smart choices at home includes budgeting, saving and the like. Sometimes we miss out on other important things like being energy efficient that can lead to saving more money. So I decided to make an easy-to-do list on how we can save energy at home.

• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs with the Energy Star label.

• Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
  

• Unplug TV's, DVD players, toasters, cellphone and other chargers when they’re not in use, or plug them into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).

• Don't use air fresheners that have to be plugged in.

• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.

• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.

• When in the market for an appliance, make sure you buy what suits your needs. Items too large or too small waste electricity and your money.

• Upgrade to Energy Star products. Not all appliances are equal. Whether you're in the market for a new fridge, cordless phone or computer, look for Energy Star choices, which offer the best energy savings
  

• Turn off lights because a good chunk of lighting expenses is from rooms that stay unnecessarily lit.

• Clean or replace the air filter on your air conditioner.

• Clean the coils on your refrigerator using a tapered appliance brush. Your fridge's motor won't have to run as long or as often. In addition to saving energy dollars, you'll prolong the life of the appliance.

It's nice to know that saving energy does more than save you money: It helps save resources. Using less energy pollutes less and results in less global warming. Even if you do nothing more than the 11 free things listed above, you will have made a difference in your budget and a difference in the world. Not bad for free.