Energy Savings

These days people are getting more and more concerned about the impact that their energy use is having on the health of the natural environment and the other humans living in it. We typically think of our homes as our sanctuaries, and we usually feel that we are safest and most comfortable when we are inside them. It�s hard for many people to believe that their own homes might be costing them unnecessary money when it comes to their utility bills, while also contributing to a larger carbon footprint. If you are looking for ways that you can cash in on energy savings, here are some tips to get you started.

The first thing that you should know about finding energy savings in your home is that appliances are typically the enemy. In an average family home in the United States, appliances like televisions, washers and dryers, dishwashers and computers are responsible for using twenty percent of the household�s total energy cost. This doesn�t even include the extra energy that is being used by phone chargers, iPods, video game consoles and other electronic devices that most people now possess. If you�re going to save money on energy, you�ve got to eliminate some appliances, or invest in more efficient ways to use them.

Energy savings in the home starts with appliances that are more efficient. If you own your own home, and you know that your major appliances are more than ten or fifteen years old, you should strongly consider replacing them with more efficient models. Newer appliances are required to meet the efficiency specification of the government, which uses the Energy Star rating system to allow consumers to see what these appliances are going to cost them in the long run. There are even federal rebates available for homeowners who make the investment and replace their old, inefficient appliances.

Another thing that many people are doing to take advantage of energy savings in their homes is to install power controlling devices that will allow them to regulate the energy usage of the devices that they can�t eliminate or replace right away. These are typically smart power strips and volt modulators that allow your devices to make better use of the electrical sources they are connected to. With regard to electronic devices, these power strips can eliminate the power pull that occurs even when the devices are not in use or switched off, but still connected to the outlet.