Electronics
Look for Energy Star labeling on any electronics
you buy: computers, monitors, printers,
scanners, TVs, DVD players and home audio
systems. If you do decide to buy new,
remember not to toss your old ones. You
can find recycling
centers online by entering the product
you want to recycle and your location.
Costs:
Energy Star models are comparably priced to similar products; many manufacturers will recycle their old products for free, particularly if you upgrade to their newer models. Otherwise, you may pay $5 to $30 to recycle your electronic items.
Idea 2:
Power strips
If you've got lots of electronic devices and rechargeable items, you likely have plenty of times when they're not in the charger. These are big energy drains, so plugging all of these infrequently used items into a single power strip that you can turn off all at once can help you save energy.
Costs:
About $20 per power strip.
Idea 3:
Healthy carpet
Line drying is the greenest way to dry your clothes, so whether you put one in your laundry room or backyard, you'll know you're taking steps to reduce your energy use.
Costs:
$10 to $70. Line drying a load a day will save about $60 a year.
Idea 4:
Windows
With many office and media rooms built in the basement, it's important to try to get more natural light into the area. Adding windows that take advantage of the sun's light can reduce lighting needs by up to 50 percent. Studies suggest that natural light in an office can boost productivity, too.
Costs:
Double-paned vinyl windows start at about $150 and wooden windows are substantially
higher. Triple-paned windows and glazed
windows add significantly to the cost.
Savings, however, can run 25 percent to
50 percent on heating and cooling costs.
Office / media
