Better Living, Lower Bills: How to Use Appliances for Energy Conservation

Energy conservation is a concern that is growing all the more important, what with the issues of rising fuel costs, depleted sources of energy, and global warming. With a decrease in available fossil fuels, and with more bills to pay in a world whose climate is rapidly changing, electricity may be a resource that will grow all the more dear in coming years.

Buying appliances with the Energy Star label is only the first step when energy conservation is discussed. An Energy Star label ensures that the appliance is energy efficient: that is, it will give more power and emit less heat for the least amount of electricity with which it is supplied. Without the Energy Star label, an appliance may consume more electricity, and may break down in the event of sudden power outages or surges.

Your household appliances should be used, stored, and maintained properly in order to conserve electricity and, ultimately, energy. Here are a few steps and suggestions you can take into consideration.

• Unplug any appliance that is not being used. Not only will this discourage you from using appliances unnecessarily - it will also prevent fires from occurring, and keep any appliances from functioning in the often dangerous "stand by" mode. In the event of a sudden power surge, even Energy Star labeled appliances can suffer mild damages.

• Do not place heat-emitting appliances close to each other. Such appliances may include your television set, air conditioning unit, refrigerator, and electric stove. High temperatures can force your appliances to use up more power, and hence, larger amounts of electricity to function. A refrigerator, for instance, will take up more power during the summer, when ambient temperatures are high, since it needs to work harder to cool its contents.