You know we are pushing our earth’s resources to the breaking point. You can’t walk down the street, sign on to the internet or watch television without their being some warning about the state of the planet. Recycling is a big thing right now. The slogan about reusing and reducing the amount of waste you use along with reducing the amount of energy you use is hard to miss. With so much being said about saving the planet, you may be wondering if you can do anything that will matter. You can. These quick tips provided by an electrician will help you save the earth while saving money on your electric bill. Okay, you may not save the earth exactly, but you will certainly be doing something positive. These are 7 quick ways you can save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

1-Get rid of those old incandescent bulbs and switch to CFLs or LEDs.

2-Turn up the AC a few degrees and rely on a ceiling fan or oscillating fan to keep you comfortable. Your Ft Lauderdale electrician can take care of the ceiling fan installation for you.

3-Only wash full loads of laundry and dishes.

4-Invest in wireless lighting timers that turn off lights when nobody is in the room.

5-Switch to energy efficient appliances.

6-Use blinds to cover the windows in the summer to help block the sun and reduce the heat produced in the home.

7-Inquire about solar energy. This is becoming a very popular and viable option to the power company. The system must be installed by an experienced electrician. Homeowners will be happy to hear there are plenty of tax breaks, rebates and other incentives for those who transition to solar energy.

Energy conservation does not have to be restricted to those times when the budget is a little tight. You won’t be forced to sit in the dark and take cold showers. Below are even more resources for keeping you on budget.

Energy Star Appliances

The next time you are in the market for a new washer, stove or any other appliance, look for those with the Energy Star label. Take the time to compare the money saved by buying an appliance designed to be energy efficient.

LED and CFL Lighting

Replace your old light bulbs with the energy efficient LED or CFL bulbs. LEDs are very bright and require very little electricity. If you have an older light fixture, you can use CFL bulbs, which use a quarter of the electricity of the standard light bulbs you buy for under a dollar. Of course, always turn off lights when you are not using them. If your light fixtures are outdated, call an electrician. Homeowners can opt for to have newer, more energy efficient fixtures installed.

Eliminate Phantom Energy

Phantom energy is the electric current that still runs through appliances, devices and chargers even if they are not in use. Unplug cell phone chargers and etc… when they are not being used.