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People are still concerned with preserving the environment. More than ever people are turning their attention to not only preserving the environment, but conserving energy and saving money as well. The good thing is that all of these objectives can be reached simultaneously. Here's some simple ways to lower your energy consumption, save money at the same time, and all the while continue to preserve the environment.

To effectually reduce energy consumption in the home, reduce your electricity usage.

Tips for the warm seasons
Draw your shades to block the penetrating sun rays. In the summer battle to escape the heat, this simple step can drastically reduce the amount of electricity used to cool your home. By blocking the sun's rays your home stays cooler, and it doesn't take so much energy to keep it cool.

Additionally, have any cooling equipment you use, properly maintained to maximize its effectiveness. (Refer to your owners manual for proper care and maintenance recommendations)

Open your windows after sunset. Usually when evening falls the outside temperature falls as well. Instead of continuing to cool your home by artificial means throughout the night, open the windows and allow the cool evening air to waft in.

Hang laundry to dry instead of using the dryer. (Needs no further explanation)

Tips for the cold seasons
Open the shades. This will allow the sun's rays to naturally warm the interior of your home, and you'll consume much less energy.

Install a programmable thermostat. Unlike a traditional thermostat, a programmable one gives you the option of automatically setting the temperature for various times of the day and night.

Program it so your heat turns off before bed and then kicks back on hour before you rise. Additionally you can set it to a lower temperature while you're away at work, and then kick on automatically when you come home. These thermostats are not very expensive and will save loads of energy and money.

All season tips
Turn your refrigerator/freezer settings down. Continue to turn the settings down until you reach a temperature you can live with. You'd be surprised at just how low these settings can be while still maintaining an adequate temperature at which to store food and beverages.

Use power strips. Believe it or not, those little indicator lights that remain on when you're not using your appliances draw energy. But, who's got the time to go around unplugging everything? At the end of your day simply turn off the power strip, and everything plugged into it will shut down automatically. Do the same with all your electronic equipment located in the home.

Lower the temperate on your water heater. If you find yourself turning the cold water tap on to cool the water down while showering or washing dishes, then the temperature setting needs to be turn down. Not only will you reduce energy consumption, you'll save a drove of water at the same time by using less cold water.

Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) in place of incandescent. They use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer.

Install weather stripping around windows and doors. Much less heat will be lost during the cold months and more cool air will be retained during the hot ones.

These tips will help any homeowner to conserve energy and save money. And, don't forget to pass them tips on to your friends and family.

Learn more about this author, Cyndi Li.
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