| Many people are considering a solar-power kit or | | | | Power Strips & Electronics |
| solar-panel system for their home. This is a wonderful | | | | Most electronic devices draw a "phantom load" of up |
| way to save money, produce clean energy, and "go | | | | to one-third of their operating power. This means |
| green". But before you do this you have to make | | | | that even when your DVD player is technically off, it |
| sure your home is as energy-efficient as possible. | | | | is drawing electricity. This electricity is often intended |
| The less energy you use, the greater impact your | | | | to allow remote controls to work (if your DVD player |
| solar-power system will have on your wallet and the | | | | was completely off the remote would not work). |
| planet. This article will teach you about | | | | This may not sound like much, but if every electronic |
| energy-efficient lighting and appliances. | | | | device is drawing a little power 24 hours a day this |
| Be an Energy Star | | | | can add up. The best way to get rid of this waste is |
| One of the best things you can do is to start putting | | | | to get a power strip for each area of the house that |
| energy efficiency high on your requirements when | | | | has several of these devices (e.g. the home office, |
| shopping for new appliances. Look for the ENERGY | | | | the entertainment center, the kitchen). At the end of |
| STAR logo. This is a government program intended | | | | each evening, and as you leave for work, just make |
| to help consumers find the most energy efficient | | | | a habit of going around and shutting off the all the |
| units. This program also puts the average | | | | power strips. |
| consumption on each unit so that you can compare | | | | Lighting |
| two appliances side by side. | | | | By now you've probably heard of Compact |
| Drying and Cooking | | | | Fluorescent Lights (CFL's). These lights can use up to |
| Generally creating heat with electricity is less efficient | | | | 80% less energy than conventional incandescent light |
| than creating heat by burning gas. Heating with | | | | bulbs. Remember how electricity uses a current |
| electricity requires that the electrical current heat a | | | | through a coil to generate heat? Conventional light |
| coil, which then gives off heat. Gas appliances burn | | | | bulbs work much the same way. You can see the coil |
| gas and discharge the heat directly to its intended | | | | in an old incandescent light bulb. With CFLs, a gas is |
| use. This means that for cooking and drying, the best | | | | heated to generate light, using far less electricity and |
| bang for your buck is with gas appliances. You'll | | | | in most cases lasting much longer. These lights should |
| notice with gas appliances that your clothes tend to | | | | be standard issue in every home these days. Just |
| dry quicker and your food cooks faster. | | | | make sure to get the low-mercury bulbs. And don't |
| Washing Machines | | | | forget, solar garden and security lights can handle |
| With the emphasis on energy efficiency in the last | | | | virtually any outdoor lighting needs you have. |
| few years, high-efficiency (HE) washers have gained | | | | Disposal |
| in popularity. Many HE washers use 70% less water in | | | | When getting rid of your old appliances, don't forget |
| each load. They use a side load feature, instead of | | | | about the environment. Many appliances, especially |
| top load, which means less water is needed since the | | | | refrigerators, contain harmful chemicals and gases. Call |
| clothes spin through the water sitting at the bottom | | | | your local waste management company for proper |
| of the drum. | | | | methods of disposal for older units. Even better than |
| Conventional top-load washer need to fill the drum up | | | | disposal is recycling your old fridges, stoves, and |
| with water for the clothes to get wet. The HE units | | | | washers. Many companies will come and take them |
| spend less time and energy filling the tub, draining the | | | | off your hands for a minimal charge, and they strip |
| tub, and rinsing the clothes. It also means there is | | | | down the metal components for scrap and rebuild |
| less weight for the drum to spin, saving energy. In | | | | parts that can be reused. Another great way to |
| arid areas, some water companies are offering | | | | recycle: Craiglist or your local classified ads. Many first |
| rebates for water efficient appliances. Remember, | | | | time home buyers, landlords, and dormitories take old |
| saving water and saving energy go hand in hand. | | | | appliances and use them. |