Saving Energy Without Changing Your Lifestyle

The rise and drop in temperatures in the coming years place intense pressures on consumers around the world as this means only one thing, more energy and fuel are needed to control the environment and make our homes more comfortable.

Over the years, new technology has been invented to improve our lifestyle, and that includes energy saving devices. New technology is always more expensive at first but instead of waiting for more affordable energy saving devices, let's use some common sense and make some effort in trying to save energy.

Here are just some of the things we can do to conserve energy and in the end, save some of our hard earned money while doing it. after all, even if you can afford it, why waste??

•Avoid "phantom" energy users.
Electrical appliances that are plugged in to sockets even when not in use consume some energy. A single appliance that remains plugged in may not give a significant increase in your electric bill but letting every appliance on "standby" can be a real money spender. Make sure to pull the plugs of every appliance from their sockets whenever you don't use them.

•Turn down temperature of water heaters.
Water heaters hold about 40 gallons of water and maintain it at a constant temperature. Forty gallons of water that is sitting in your tank for a very long time consumes a lot of energy. If the water heater is not expected to be used for a while it is advisable to maintain it at a lower temperature.

•The openings and leaks in doors and windows create drafts.
The stronger the draft is, the longer it will take for homes to be heated or cooled, in addition to the extra work that a heater or an air-conditioning system is doing to regulate the right temperature of the house. In newer homes, the problems may be few as builders now take more attention to sealing draft areas and slots. Older homes may not be as well sealed. Even if the outer walls are insulated, air leaks often occur around wall outlets, switches and vents that could result in water condensation around these areas. A good foam patch could fix the problem.

•CFL lights are energy savers.
Using CFL bulbs will save you more than sixty percent of the cost of lighting compared to incandescent bulbs. They might be a little more expensive than a regular bulb but still cheaper in the long run because they do last longer and they will save you money by using less energy.

•Clean appliances regularly.
Dirt and dust reduce the efficiency of appliances. Also, allow about four inches of distance between the wall and appliances that generate heat to help with air circulation.

•When in the market always look for the energy coefficient and the energy saving features of the appliance you are buying.

As you can see, there are many ways we can save on our energy consumption by simply being more aware of our habits and making some small changes that will help you reduce your monthly bills as well as help to reduce the amount of energy we needlessly consume every day.

You don't have to be a 'tree hugger' to see the common sense in this approach.
Less Energy Used or Wasted = More Money In My Pocket....  there's nothing wrong with that.