This is a big thing that you want to do. Figure out which of your many appliances are hogs, and then make smart decisions about when they are plugged in.
You can buy a kilowatt meter for about $30, and it will tell you how much energy each appliance uses. That's important because people don't realize that their TVs, computers and fully charged cell phones still suck up energy, even when they're turned off. That costs the average household $100 a year.
So, start unplugging, but be smart about it. The easiest thing to do is to keep everything plugged into a power cord -- all your computer things on one, all your TV things on another -- and shut things down when you're not using them.
Be careful, though. Don't turn off your television or your TIVO if you're recording your favorite show. Think about what needs to stay on and what can be unplugged.
Almost everyone has heard that you should replace incandescent light bulbs, the old round ones, with compact fluorescent bulbs. And you should. The good news is that now, many come in much warmer lighting, so the light is more comfortable.
They also come as three-way and dimmable forms. Use them. They require 75 percent less energy. And there's another new light out there, LEDs, which are the wave of the future. They use 90 percent less energy.
They may not be cost effective for your entire house right now, but they are great for things like under-cabinet lighting in your kitchen. Using the alternative lighting should save you between $50 and $150 dollars a year.
Click here for more money saving energy ideas.
Do you have more information about this topic? If so, please click here to contact the editors of ABC News.
