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When it comes to cutting back on your energy consumption, you probably aren’t as diligent as you should be.  You may neglect to turn off lights when you exit a room, or leave the computer running day and night because you don’t want the hassle of waiting for it to boot up every day.  And you might not even know that your choice of appliances, light bulbs, thermostat, and even water heater could make a huge difference in how much energy you’re sucking up each month (not to mention the absurd amount of money you’re shelling out to the utility providers).  But with just a few simple changes to the way your household is run, and maybe a couple of upgrades, you can really cut down on both your consumption and your monthly bills.  Here are some creative ways to go green and start saving.

• 1. Energy audit. How can you save energy if you don’t even know where it’s being wasted? Many people don’t realize that there are a lot of potential problem areas in the home when it comes to air loss (in other words, you could be letting the bought air out). Hire an auditor to come in and test your home for such leaks. You can find technicians through your utility company (they will either be on staff or the company can recommend an independent auditor). You could see a significant reduction in your energy use by correcting common problems like doors that don’t seal properly.
• 2. Set a timer. There are bound to be times when nobody’s home (kids are at school, you’re at work, you go on vacation, etc.). So why would you pay to heat or cool a space that isn’t in use? Instead, get a thermostat with a timer and set it to go off when you leave, and kick back on just before you get home (so you’re domicile is the right temp when you arrive).
• 3. Tankless water heater. Never heard of one? It’s not surprising, considering they’re relatively new. You may be wondering how your water gets heated without a tank, but the concept is not too hard to grasp. You’re water flows through a small apparatus containing a heating element, which kicks in on demand. What this means is that your water is only being heated when you turn on the tap (and not when you turn it off). This is an excellent energy-saving device, as opposed to regular water heaters which keep your water hot all the time (requiring ongoing expenditure of energy).
• 4. Unplug. Phantom drain is another problem that not too many people have heard of. When your electronics are plugged in but powered off, they still continue to siphon small amounts of electricity, which doesn’t sound too terrible until it starts adding up. Think about all the electronics you have plugged in around the clock (TV, computer, cell phone…even the clock) and you can begin to imagine how the pennies add up to dollars. So unplug items that aren’t in use (or put them all on one easy-to-unplug power strip).
• 5. Plant a tree for your tomorrow. By planting trees around your home, you could cut back on energy costs tomorrow. Tall trees can provide shade in the summer (allowing you to turn off the AC) and a wind-break in the winter (to keep cold winds from getting in around the cracks). Bonus: they provide clean, healthy air!

Leon Harris writes for Southern States, the quality name in high voltage switching. Whether you are in need of circuit switchers, power fuses, or other electrical power transmission and distribution needs, Southern States will tailor a custom solution for you.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 7th, 2011 at 5:12 PM and is filed under Guest Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.