One of the things I’ve been trying to work on in the first two months of 2008, is to not be as wasteful. I do this to live a more green lifestyle, but also to save money. I have found some pretty painless ways to cut down on waste and utility costs.

  • Change your light bulbs. By using compact fluorescent light bulbs (which last almost 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs) you can save $50+ in electricity per light over their lifetime. Also, when you’re not in the room, turn the lights off.
  • Unplug unused appliances. Many appliances suck electricity even when you’re not using them. Of the total energy used to run home electronics, approximately 40% is consumed when the appliances are turned off. If you don’t want to always have to unplug appliances, you can buy a Smart Power Strip, which will stop drawing electricity when the gadgets are off.
  • Buy a programmable thermostat. These can cost a bit up front ($60+) but they adjust the temperature automatically for you when you’re away or asleep, cutting down on heating and cooling bills.
  • Washing/drying clothes efficiently. Use cold water when you wash clothes and save the energy you would otherwise use for hot water. Also, dry your loads of clothes right after each other, and take advantage of the heat that is already in the dryer (or hang your clothes).
  • Install a low-flow shower head.
  • Get some fresh air. When it’s starts getting warm, instead of going straight to the A/C, use ceiling fans and open windows. A breeze and good air flow can lower the temperature 5-10 degrees.
  • Do full loads. When washing clothes, using the dishwasher, etc., only do full loads. Running small loads wastes both energy and water.

There are many other ways to save, but these are a few of the more inexpensive and simple ways.