Window-Mounted Air Conditioner Review

Appliances and electronics account for about 20% of household energy bills in a typical U.S. home. The following tips will reduce the amount of energy that your electronics and appliances will require:

Put lamps in corners - the light reflects off the adjoining walls, which makes the room lighter and brighter, even with lower watt bulbs, or dimmer settings. If you're not in the room, turn off the light! Turn fans on when you enter and off when you leave. You heard it as a kid and now say it to your kids, "Don't stand there with the refrigerator door open." Take containers out of the fridge to nibble and pour drinks on the counter. Use a power strip or the "All Power" button. Don't just turn off the TV, but also the cable or satellite box, the surround sound, the DVD player, the gaming console, etc. (you shouldn't cut power to TV's 100% & doing so to a satellite box means reacquiring a signal). Use the dishwasher - studies have shown that newer model dishwashers use about 1/3 less hot water than the average hand washer. Use efficient "Energy Star"-rated appliances and electronics. These devices are approved by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Refrigerators and freezers should not be near heat sources. A stove, dishwasher, heat vents, direct sunlight, etc. will all force you fridge or freezer use more energy to remain cool. Computers should be shut off when not in use. Some studies report that computers account for as much as 3% of all energy consumption in the United States. Laptop and cell phone chargers consume energy whenever they are plugged in, even if they are not charging. So, if they are not connected to your electronics, chargers should be unplugged.
2. Use Alternative Ways to Cool Your Home