Saving Electricity

• Electronics and appliances use up significant electricity even when they're turned off, so plug all of your computer-related devices including the computer, printer, modem, speakers and scanner into one power strip and turn it off when you're not using them; do the same with television-related devices like the TV, DVD player, video game console and cable box. Leave cell-phone chargers unplugged except for the few hours a day when you need to use them. If you're in the market for a new computer, buy a laptop instead of a desktop; desktops use five times more electricity than laptops, according to Greenpeace International (see Reference 1). No matter what type of computer you use, turn your screen to the dimmest setting that still allows you to see comfortably and choose a blank screen saver over an animated one.
  
  Wash your clothes in cold water rather than warm or hot and use the shortest wash cycle possible that still gets your clothes clean. When drying clothes, clean out the lint trap before turning on the dryer and make sure your laundry room receives good air circulation to speed up the drying process; even better, replace your top-loading washer with a front-loading model and hang wet clothing on a clothesline or laundry rack instead of putting them in the dryer. Save electricity in the bathroom by replacing your old toilets with low-flow models, installing low-flow showerheads and shaving a few minutes off your regular shower time. Replace old appliances with new, Energy Star-qualified ones; upfront investments like this can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
  
  Even minor redecorating can add up to noticeable energy savings: use insulated curtains throughout the house to minimize heat loss during the winter and cool air during the summer. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs and install solar-powered outdoor lighting in your garden, along walkways and on your deck or patio. Install ceiling fans to help circulate air and reduce your dependence on air conditioners.