Picture credit: armisteadbooker

I’m a complete sucker for anything that has been proven to save energy (as scams still exist throughout!). Light bulbs, fans, fridges, even Energy Star computer screens. I love what they’re trying to do: decreasing the amount of energy increasingly more advanced technology required. So I decided I’d compile something that you could buy, or build, that could save you energy, and the planet in turn, in the long run.

  1. Buy Energy Star products, as they have met “strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy”.
  2. When building or renovating a house, place insulation in the walls, ceiling and floor. It can save as much as 55% of energy in heating and 50% of energy in cooling. See this Fact Sheet for all the info
  3. Don’t add blinds to your windows, rather “tint” them with Low-E glazing. See this entry for why
  4. Invest in a washing line, and use it to dry your clothes. This way, you are taking advantage of solar power, without the solar panels!
  5. Buy Energy Saver light bulbs, like Compact Fluorescent bulb. They can use nearly 80% less energy, but can match, or often excel the light output of a traditional filament bulb. They also emit a white light, which is more pleasant on the eye. How to buy Energy Saving Light bulbs
  6. Buy appliances that can run of batteries, rather than plug them in the wall, like an alarm clock.
  7. If installing light in your garden, buy the self-sufficient Solar-powered lights, which have a perfect beautiful glow.
  8. Take part in outdoor sport, such as football or tennis. This gets you out of the house, and prevents you from relying on a TV or computer for entertainment, and thus saving electricity.
  9. Invest in solar panels. This can be expensive, and so I’ve saved it for last, but with nearly 50% efficiency being reached in testing (If it’s not surpassed already), Solar power will become very viable and more affordable in the future.

BONUS: 10. Unplug cellphone chargers / camera chargers if you aren’t using them. They consume a constant stream of electricity when plugged in, which seems small, until you have 6 or 7 of them.
Happy saving 2008!

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