| It's no secret that if you save energy you will | | | | Using power strips and timers to control these |
| save money, but how do you save energy? I will | | | | loads will reduce the size of renewable energy |
| get to that in a minute. The first thing that you | | | | system that you need. Entertainment and office |
| should know is the more energy that you save | | | | equipment are prime examples of appliances that |
| will mean a lower cost to setup your solar power | | | | can be bundled onto one power strip and turned |
| system. Also if you us a DIY solar power home | | | | off when not in use. Make it easy to access so |
| guide you will save huge on the cost to set up | | | | you will remember to switch it off. |
| your system. However before thinking about | | | | Tip 2: Switch to CFLs - Switching to CFLs |
| switching to an alternative source of energy, you | | | | (compact fluorescent lights) can lower your lighting |
| need to look at ways to reduce energy demands. | | | | bill by as much as 75 percent. Light normally |
| Here a 3 good tips to reduce energy consumption. | | | | accounts for 10 to 15 percent or your total |
| Tip 1: Use power strips - A "phantom load" occurs | | | | energy bill. About 95 percent of the energy used |
| when a device that seems to be off is still using | | | | to light a normal bulb is wasted as heat with only |
| electricity, such as plug-in power adapters and | | | | 5 percent used for lighting. |
| appliances with digital clocks or indicator lights. | | | | Tip 3: Use daylight: Installing solar light tubes is a |
| You're probable thinking that a few watts of | | | | great way to light dark areas in the day. Solar |
| standby energy used per appliance is insignificant, | | | | tubes bring in light with a series of mirrors and |
| but the total load of these appliances accumulates | | | | reflective surfaces. Skylights are OK but unless |
| very quickly. The average phantom load in a | | | | they are made with super-efficient glass it will let |
| normal house uses 1 kilowatt hour daily. That's as | | | | out heat in the winter and bring in excessive heat |
| much as a $10,000 solar energy system provides. | | | | in the summer. |