What’s going on guys? Autumn is setting in and more of us are opting to stay at home due to the cooler weather. That means we tend to use more energy during these next few months. So, I’m going to show you guys ways to offset this spike in energy usage rates. Plus, everyone is looking for ways to economize these days, both financially and environmentally. So, here are some ways that I save money at home and save our environment at the same time:

Buy appliances with the Energy Star rating. This rating program sponsored by the Department of Energy and the EPA can save you up to 30% in energy usage costs in the long run. And let’s face it, buying green just makes you feel that much snootier, doesn’t it?

Unplug your appliances when you aren’t using them. Believe it or not, all your household appliances are sipping on electric juice even when they are dormant! Ever wonder how that DVD player light is always on? Yup, you guessed it. It’s snacking on your electricity.

Drink filtered tap water instead of bottled water. Bottled water is more expensive and produces more plastic waste. In addition, there has been a slew of folklore surrounding plastic bottles causing cancer. Whether it’s don’t, reuse them, microwave them, or freeze them, none of it has been proven substantial. However, why risk it?

Replace your light bulbs with CFLs (which means compact flourescent light bulbs for you green newbies). They are a bit more expensive upfront but they use less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs. Therefore, it will result in long-term savings. Yes, I mentioned this tip before and no, I don’t have stock in CFL companies. Hmmm, which would be a good idea actually…

Request an energy audit of your home. State energy departments and utility companies often provide this service at a low cost to help determine your energy usage and ways to reduce it. Just like periodically checking your credit score, this is a great way to gauge what to do to save some money.

Plant trees and/or shrubbery that will provide shade in the summer and protection in the winter. Who wouldn’t like to turn down the air conditioner a few dials during the summer because he or she has a nice shady area to lounge in? Or how about turning down the heater because it’s just not that cold with the tree blacking most of the chilly wind? Good sense, right?

And last but not least, learn about any new green product before buying it. Wait until it has been tested and see if it’s worth the cost by reading reviews and comments. Don’t run out and buy the latest fad just to find out it’s a gimmick or a dud.

Alright folks, hope this helped a bit. See you in seven!

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