Ways to be more energy-efficient

Did you know that a kilowatt-hour is equal to an entire hour's worth of consumed kilowatts? Or that one kilowatt-hour is more or less equal to 1 kilogram of greenhouse gas? Why is it so important to know such things? You might not know it, but not only are you burning the green of the outdoors, but you're also burning the money in your wallets! Even the tiniest details matter. For example, at this very moment you might not know it, but you have a little culprit munching away on your electricity and causing your electric bill to continually surge skyward. So how can you save Mother Nature and yourself? Here are a few tips to help you become more energy efficient, and cut back on your electric billing.

1. Unplug everything! Most appliances have a little LED light blinking, even when they're on sleep or standby mode. This means that these devices are still consuming energy - even when you're not using them. You can solve this problem by plugging your devices into cords which have an on and off switch. That way, with just a flick of a switch, you're reducing usage!

2. Say goodbye to old light bulbs. Replace your old incandescent bulb with a newer fluorescent bulb. These fluorescent bulbs use only half the amount of energy needed to produce the same amount of light from an incandescent bulb. This means that a 100-watt incandescent bulb can be replaced with a 26-watt fluorescent bulb. You will need to invest a little more but you're cutting operating costs significantly!

3. Add a fan! An electric fan will help air move around to create a cooler atmosphere. This effect will reduce the air temperature by about 4 degrees Fahrenheit (or 2 degrees Celsius), therefore lessening your air conditioner use.

4. Filter your filters. If you simply cannot live without the air conditioning unit being on, remember to clean your filters. This will enable your unit to cool faster and work on lesser hours.

5. Incorporate window shading. Install new covers, awnings and additional screens to shelter you from the sun.

6. Use energy-efficient appliances. If your appliance is still from the 90's, change it! This will be a big investment but it will be well worth it. Most old devices account for your expenses. Remember to look for the Energy Star label on your new appliance, as this will ensure a more energy-efficient machine.

7. Enjoy the outdoors! Don't just sit at home enjoying your air conditioning system in the summer, or the heating system in the winter. Learn to explore the outdoors. You might even lose a few kilos. But more importantly, you're actually evading electrical use! So start paying attention to small details around your house, and you will be able to lessen your expenses! Each person has a unique ability to cope with being energy efficient, but this small start will surely help you become more creative in your journey to killing your kilowatts and becoming more energy efficient.

Author - Laurel R. Lindsay - Learn more about Residential Electrical Topics: Residential Electrician - Learn more from Calgary's best Electrician: Calgary Electrician - Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laurel_R._Lindsay