For this reason, it is important not to overlook easy fixes when searching for ways to make your lifestyle at home a more green-friendly one. And your utilities and energy costs are certainly the best place to start. If you’re looking for how to save electricity and the environment this coming year, here are some tips for doing both by reducing your utilities burden:

Use home automation technology. Available from companies such as Vivint, home automation technology gives you the ability to set timers and to manage your home lighting system from anywhere in the world – strategies both of which can make your electricity use far more efficient.

Buy energy-efficient light bulbs. Energy-efficient lighting uses less energy and fewer bulbs, making it a far more sustainable option than traditional light bulbs.

Install a “smart thermostat.” Most of us own decades-old thermostats that give us the ability to set a temperature, but do little else. A smart thermostat, on the other hand, can sense movement, learn living habits, and internally regulate the temperature, all with the purpose of maximizing your efficient and lowering your energy use.

Insulate your home. Insulating your walls and properly sealing your windows can insure that your home doesn’t waste the electricity generated within.

Cut back. When the temperature is mild outside, you may want to start abstaining from cooling or heating your home. When winter arrives and you find yourself cold, pouring yourself a mug of hot water may be just as helpful as cranking the heat – and far less wasteful. Few people will choose to sacrifice comfort for utility, but this does not mean that you can’t take measures to curb excessive energy use.

These are just a few of the main ways you can reduce energy consumption in your home. Doing so will not simply make your lifestyle more environmentally-friendly – it will also save you on utilities costs in the process.

by Ben Weiner

Whether you have a family or not, there are plenty of quick and simple ways in which you can begin to save money and energy, starting from today.

One of the easiest ways to save money and energy is with the household chores, in particular, the washing up. If you have a family you probably sometimes feel as though the washing up never ends! And washing-up liquid is hardly the most exciting thing to spend your hard-earned money on, so it can be very tempting to simply go for the cheapest brands, or whatever is on offer at the time.

It can be a false economy to do this however. If you buy cheap washing-up liquid, you will often find that it is in fact less effective than a trusted and reliable product such as Fairy Liquid. Cheaper versions may seem like they are saving you money at first, but you are likely to have to use a lot more to get good results, and therefore end up buying it more regularly than with a quality brand, thus spending the same amount of money (or even more) in the long run.

On top of the money you will mistakenly be spending by choosing cheap brands for the washing up, you will end up using much more energy in the kitchen trying to get those dishes clean with a product that simply is not up to the task.

A quality product such as Fairy Liquid will cut through the grease and dirt on the dishes much easier, leaving you a lot less flustered and using a lot less elbow grease trying to get everything clean. And when you’re a busy parent, that’s priceless.

by JSmith Photo

It got me thinking about energy efficient lighting within our homes as well, and looking around the house we still have some old fashioned light bulbs that could do with replacing. It may cost a little more to start with as the bulbs are more expensive, however they do last an awful lot longer and you will ultimately see the difference on your energy bill too. I have decided to do away with other decorative lights too. We have fairy lights on some of our bed frames which we can do without, and I have decided to create a romantic mood with candles instead – they still look really pretty.

My other New Year’s lighting resolution is to make sure that all the family turn lights off when they leave a room. It is amazing how many lights we leave on all the time and there really is no need. You never know, with all the money saved by being eco friendly with my lights I might even decide to treat myself to the new bed in Bensons which I’ve got my beady eye on. I think I will have to wait until the next energy bill comes in before I make any big decisions, but I have definitely taken a big step in the right direction.

Implementing simple, energy-saving measures into your routine is not hard and is worth it. Appliances like dishwashers, fridges, TVs, set-top boxes, heaters, air conditioning units, digital cameras, iPods and phones all use energy and many are either left on the charger too long or left permanently on stand-by.

Follow these tips to reduce your energy consumption.
Eco Wash
Collect a full load before using your washing machine. Otherwise, use the economy setting or make sure the water level is set on low. Front loading washing machines are more economical on water and energy.
The same rules apply to dishwashers. Only use the dishwasher once you have a full load. Bosch Dishwashers come in a stylish and affordable range with eco wash settings and excellent saving rates for water and energy.
Temperature Settings
The fridge is one thing that can not be turned off as it is in constant use. One way of ensuring you are not wasting money is to check the temperature gauge each season. During the hot months of the Australian summer, the temperature may need adjusting upwards. During winter, economise with a lower temperature.
Westinghouse fridges have a great range of bar fridges that you may only be using occasionally. Any time a spare fridge is not in use, it’s best turned off at the switch to save on your quarterly energy bill.
Re-charge and Unplug
There are many appliances that require regular re-charging. Most chargers for mobile phones, digital cameras and mp3 players continue to use power as long as they are plugged in. Even when your device is removed from the charger it still uses power. There are smart charging stations now available that allow simultaneous charging of multiple devices and an automatic switch-off when done.
Canon cameras use rechargeable lithium batteries. The benefit of these is a greater storage capacity than other batteries. Once lithium batteries are charged they will retain their charge longer than normal batteries.
Turn Appliances Off at the Switch
Televisions, digital set top boxes, game consoles and some types of heaters are often left in stand-by mode for long periods of time when no one is home. This can build to a significant waste of energy. There is a range of energy saving power boards that you can plug a group of appliances into and turn all your appliances off together in one easy flick of a switch.
Energy Efficient Lighting
Changing to energy-saving light bulbs saves energy and extends the life of the bulb. Always turn off lights when leaving a room and keep lighting to a minimum during the evening. Having a flexible range of lighting options is a good idea for conserving energy and preventing wasteful use.
Government grants are available for more energy efficient installations in your home. A solar panel on the roof can radically decrease your energy consumption and, of course, plays easier on the environment.

Photo: favaro JR.

1. Replace all the light bulbs with energy saving versions. Don’t forget the lamps by your beds as well as the main ceiling light.
2. Leave the lights off as much as possible and make the most of natural light when you can by clearing the window area and installing light drapes.
3. Turn off the television and any other equipment completely rather than leaving it on standby. This makes more difference than you might think.
4. Unplug electric blankets on the double beds when you’re not using them. They are real energy guzzlers so keep usage to a minimum as far as possible.
5. Keep the windows closed if the weather is cold and the heating is on. As my Mother used to say ‘I’m not paying to heat the garden!’ Keeping the door shut will also keep the room warmer.
6. Make sure your loft insulation is up to scratch above the bedrooms so that heat isn’t lost through the ceiling. A good tip is to look at the roof when it is covered in snow: any melted areas indicate heat escaping.
7. Wrap up warm and layer the bedding appropriately for the season. This will help to keep you cosy and the heating bill down.

Photo: Chandra Marsono

My first inspiration came from an episode of ‘Grand Designs’ where dear old Kevin, the housewives favourite (well – mine anyway!), is seen visiting a home with its own wind turbine to generate electricity. This venture was producing so much energy that the owners were actually feeding the national grid and being paid for doing so! Unfortunately, after my initial excitement I very soon discovered that whilst if you live in a remote coastal area with high winds this may not be a problem, the planners of more typical urban conurbations have other ideas. Spoil sports. So, not to be put off, the next area for investigation is solar power, and this it seems is a far simpler and more feasible option.

After an initial investment in the obvious kit: the solar panels themselves, plus any improvements to your home plumbing and electrical system, you can be cooking away in your assembled kitchens for hours without it costing you a penny. It is an upfront outlay with an eye on long term financial gain, but the experts insist that this is the way forward and it won’t be long until there are more homes using solar energy than those that aren’t.

Your luxury kitchen is not the only room to benefit either: imagine the number of hot baths a nice sunny day could give you, or how much television you could watch with a smug ‘free entertainment’ look on your face. If you are looking for a realistic way to reduce your energy bills for life then have a look at solar solutions now, it could really make your day.

Photo: Pink Dispatcher

Savings on utility bills
You will find that you save a significant amount of money on your utilities as you use less electricity, gas and water. There are a number of ways you can do this. By having solar panels on your roof you can use the sun’s energy to power your home and heat your water. With the right water saving appliances, such as the dishwasher, you will save water, and you can also reduce your water usage by having the right shower head and a toilet that uses less water per flush.

Recycled, environmentally friendly and safe materials
An eco-friendly home should be constructed with recycled materials where possible. You can buy recycled bricks from houses that are being torn down and you can use recycled timber. You can also choose to build a home from materials such as mud brick or even a straw bale home. Eco-friendly homes are often constructed from materials that are considered safer and help protect your health, for example better paint and formaldehyde free building materials.

Re-sale
Probably not something you would be considering doing in the immediate future, but one day you may decide to sell, and having an eco-friendly home puts you in a good position within the market. Today people are becoming more aware of climate change and of the benefits that the environment and their hip pocket experience when owning an energy efficient home. You will find that you will be able to ask a higher price than a standard home of a similar size.

Preserve your surroundings
An eco-friendly home will have been built with as little damage to the surrounding natural area as possible. The trees around your home should be well established and will save you having to spend a lot of money at the nursery on sizeable plants to create shade in your garden. The natural shade will also help keep your house cooler in summer, reducing your need to switch on your air conditioner. With the outdoors preserved as much as possible it will mean that any native birds and animals may still visit and live in your property.

Healthy lifestyle
By living in an eco-friendly home you will be undertaking a much healthier lifestyle, as well as reducing your impact on the environment. Your home will be constructed from materials that are non toxic and you will be breathing in cleaner air, due to a limitation of these toxins as well as having an established garden. As well as the house you can start to change your lifestyle habits by eating healthier, using green products and updating your appliances to more energy efficient ones.

Photo: skrobotic

More and more green cars are driven in our cities, more and more people equip their houses with heat pumps and solar panels. Some companies even offer to build home with already built-in solar heating and electricity systems.

One of the slogans says Great Deals Energy Efficient & Solar, and it is true. Solar energy is one of the most promising types of energy development for today. Within the next 5-10 years it will have the same cost as traditional electricity has today. More and more solar and hybrid power plants are built all over the world to save this world from wastes and pollution and find the alternative to conventional energy sources.

If you are interested in this issue, you should make good internet search. For instance, you may type in the search bar “Be Green… Did You Know Tips…” and find the most exhaustive information on the topic.

Photo: mjmonty

Think about setup Solar panel on your roof and use free energy to your home. Solar energy is something that most people should have also. It is one of the greener methods of powering a house and businesses is just part of why it is becoming so popular. Solar panels were designed for us to do like this.

Solar energy is not just for water heater or producing electricity. It can also for cooking, lighting, heating the pool and more. By taking advantage of solar energy technology you will save cost by not having to purchase new equipment for use them. The price of solar panel is worthwhile for investing with your home. This provides a real option for people desiring to save on electric rates, to reduce carbon emissions and to make use of a green energy source.

Photo: Wysz

We all know that heat rises, and that trapping warmth inside our homes is essential in the winter months. What you may not have thought about however is that this also applies elsewhere on a smaller scale. For example, certain kinds of mattresses are cleverly designed to keep your temperature constant through the changing seasons so that you don’t need to have the heating on overnight in order to be comfortable.

Sleeping well in your double beds without driving your other half to distraction with your cold feet is all very nice, but there are many other simple things to do as well: close doors behind you to keep spaces warm and open windows instead of running air conditioners or fans. Another thing to look at is whether you are running your heat and water system in the best way for your lifestyle.

The times when it is programmed to heat the house or heat water may not be exactly right, and you may be wasting energy unnecessarily. If in doubt refer to the manufacturer’s instruction manual, consult an expert, or simply find what works best by trial and error. It may be that you need to set things up differently for the week and the weekends and this could make a big difference.

Be smart around the house and start doing easy things which just need to become a habit – you will soon feel the benefit in your home and your energy bill.