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You have undoubtedly seen the worldwide “Go Green” campaign that has taken off in the last few years. Loving Mother Earth isn’t just for tree-hugging hippies anymore, its for everyone that wants to make a difference by doing the right thing. There are perks, of course, to being conscious of the impact you make on our planet. Not only will you be leaving a cleaner, healthier planet for the next generation of earthlings, but you can save some serious dough in the long run. Here are a few tips for conserving energy (and saving money while you’re at it!)
1. Buy energy-efficient appliances!
When its time for new appliances, look for the energy-star rating that indicates high efficiency. They can generally be found in all price ranges and will save you money, long term. Pay special attention to refrigerators and choose one that saves the most energy- refrigerators in the U.S. can use as much electricity as 25 large power plants!
2. Let in the sun!
Use natural light as often as possible to decrease the use of electricity in your home. Placing mirrors strategically can help maximize light in a space without using electricity.
3. For the lights you can’t get rid of, replace the bulbs with LED lightbulbs.
(They generally run $3-5 dollars each, but last up to 15 years.) Lighting is responsible for 25% of most energy bills. Replacing your standard bulbs with high-efficiency LED bulbs can save you almost 20% on your electric bill.
4. Wash your clothes in cold water.
80% of the energy used to wash a load of clothing comes from heating the water. By switching to cold washing, you’ll save that energy and your clothes won’t suffer a bit!
5. Unplug it!
Many electronics continue to use electricity, even when they’re turned off. (Anything that has a clock on it is a good example.) By unplugging appliances in between uses, you can conserve a significant amount of energy.
6. Give your dishwasher a break!
I know you hate it.. I do, too. However, washing your dishes by hand once a week can save up to 20 gallons of water and lots of electricity. It seems like a small step, but like I say every week.. the small stuff adds up!
7. Open the windows and let in the breeze!
If it’s a particularly beautiful day, open the windows! (I don’t suggest doing this all the time, only if the temperature outside is close to what you normally keep your thermostat set on.) Turning off the A/C even for a day can save you big on your electric bill. Use ceiling fans to circulate the air, keeping your home cool for a fraction of the cost!
8. Watch the cell phone charger!
If you’re charging electronics (cell phones, cameras, drills, etc.) pay attention to the charger! Don’t leave your appliances plugged in longer than necessary to complete the charge. Electronic chargers suck tons of electricity, even after the charge is complete. Unplug your charger as soon as your electronics are fully charged!
These are just a few tips, there are hundreds of ways to save the Earth while you save money! If you’ve got tips I haven’t listed, PLEASE leave them below! Your comments will do more than just earn you points to spend on swag- they can help save the world!
Metroglow Challenge: Unplug a couple lamps or other electronics that you don’t use regularly. When your next utility bill lands in the mail, see how much you’ve saved by turning a few things off! (I unplugged 2 lamps for a month and noticed almost $20 less on my bill.) See what you can live without, I dare you!
(Special thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy for statistical information.)
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4 Responses to “Saving Sense Quick Tips: Saving Energy (and $$)”
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When we switched to those energy efficient light it knocked at least 30 bucks a month off our bill. Now if i could find some energy efficient lights to replace the ones in our ceiling fans. they are small and look like Christmas lights almost. Now If I could find a way to make my Home Server energy efficient.
They definitely sell the small bulbs for chandeliers and such — you will probably have to look at Home Depot to find them.
Shoot. Just buying the florescent bulbs will save you a lot in the long run as well. Not as much as LED but still a lot more over incandescent bulbs.
I wish I could leave my laptop unplugged. But if I unplug it, I will be without after 30 minutes.
I actually have a dishwasher and don’t use it. Mostly, we need to replace the main water line that hasn’t been replaced since 1930, but also, my husband realized that it takes 90 minutes for our dishwasher to wash which takes gas, electric and water. It takes 10-20 min for me to do a load. I just keep up with the dishes and use my dishwasher as a drying rack. It works rather easily.
Also, our hot water heater in the laundry room doesn’t work so I buy Cold Water Tide and my clothes come out fine. I know I’m saving money, but I haven’t gauged how much.