Let's be realistic. Although we don’t want to consume all of the worlds supply of carbon and coal for power because of the lights in our home, our fridge, air conditioning and dishwashers, a quick overview of what it costs to have energy saving products and go-green gadgets suggests a considerable burden in our pockets. Despite not wanting to spend a large fortune to paint our house green, you might also want to save energy the cheaper and easier ways possible. But the question is, how?

We save energy not only to save money, we need to conserve energy because it’s the right thing to do.. Statistics show that most of the country's electricity is generated by coal-fired power plants, which environmentalists attribute to climate change. There have been several measures undertaken by the government to reduce carbon emissions, but these efforts would be in vain if we do not begin to revolutionize the energy consumption which usually begins in our own households.

Put aside your thoughts of purchasing green power plugs, toilet water savers and other energy saving devices, I will be sharing with you some low cost tips to help you save money, save energy and do your part for the environment. Read on and make your home more energy-efficient!

Be smart about room temperature. Perhaps the most practical of all energy-saving practices is insulating or cooling your home only when you need it to. Lower the thermostat when nobody is home or turn it off if a room is unoccupied. In summer, you can use to turn on ceiling fans and wear clothes that will make you feel cooler. Spare rooms must also be closed and uninsulated.

Light Wise. With the rise of energy star bulbs, it's time to redefine the way your house lights. What are now preferred are compact fluorescent light bulbs which uses energy only 25% of ordinary bulbs, lasts 10 times longer and save 75% off the cost of incandescent lighting standard rates. As soon as you replace the interior lighting with energy-saving bulbs, try replace those outdoors, too. Also, when daylight is sufficient to illuminate your home, turn off unnecessary lights.

Strategic management of heat. One simple step in heat management is taking advantage the way the sun heats. During winter, open those windows facing the sun so that the natural heat can enter your home. Close them at night to retain heat in the house. However, during the summer, the opposite should be done. With air conditioners around, avoid opening the windows and make sure the blinds and curtains are tightly closed to ensure maximum freshness inside and to prevent your house from overheating.

Seal air leaks. If you want to save up to 25% of heating and cooling, it is time to prioritize testing doors, windows, attic hatches and ceiling fixtures of possible air leaks. To identify leaks around windows, vents and outer cases, look for spider webs or use incense sticks. If leaks are present, all you have to do is apply sealants to fill those spaces.

Energy Star Appliances. Choose those appliances with the Energy Star logo as a replacement of your old ones because they reduce 40% of electrical consumption. For refrigerators, set the temperature 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit don’t forget to clean the coils. For washers and dryers, remember to always wash full loads and chose the front-loading machines (which doesn’t only save much water, but also 50% less energy).