How to Go Green Electrical

Green light bulbs save money.

Going green is one of the best ways to save money by reducing electrical bills. As long as you are using electricity, you are going to pay for that convenience on your next electric bill. However, there are ways to reduce your electrical usage by going green, and you will never miss it. Here are several tips for saving money on your electric bill by going green.

Things You'll Need

• CFL or LED bulbs
• Power strips
• Solar lighting

Instructions

1. Install CFL or LED bulbs throughout your house. This is as easy as screwing in a light bulb. CFL bulbs are common, cost effective and will last for years. However the new wave in light bulbs called LED bulbs, although still on the expensive side, will cut your lighting bill down to almost a tenth of what it was, and the bulbs will last for decades with normal use.

2. Turn off all electrical devices when not in use. Many devices, such as cell phone chargers televisions and computers continue to use energy even when they are shut off. This is a simple fix!. Plug these items into a power strip that can be shut off when use/charging is done.

3. Install outdoor solar lighting. Many home improvement stores now sell a wide variety of outdoor solar lights that use no electricity at all. Path lighting, motion detection lighting all work well for lowering your electrical usage.
   Also, take advantage of natural sunlight. Open your blinds or drapes, install skylights or sky tubes. I installed a sky tube in my very dark kitchen last year and kept hitting the switch, thinking someone left the light on.

4. Your air conditioner wastes a lot of electricity. Set your thermostat a couple of degrees higher in the summer and use fans to supplement staying cool. Although fans still burn electricity, they are one-fifth more efficient than an air conditioner, and a breeze from a fan will make you feel just as cool.

5. Hang your clothes out on a clothesline. Electric clothes dryers are a big electric energy waster. Hanging out your clothes uses only sun, wind and your energy.

Tips & Warnings

• Do what you can. Rome wasn't built in a day.

• Every bit counts.