Save Money and Protect the Planet

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As 2008 drew to a close, the primary issue on the minds of many people across the globe was the economy. While gas prices returned to normalcy, that was largely due to the crumbling world economy.

Thanks to the up and down nature of the economy, with record lows on the stock market followed by equally eye-opening rebounds, more and more people sought ways to protect their financial interests. For many, this meant some daily changes to curb spending and save money. One positive side effect has been the environmental impact, as protecting one's finances has also led many to — intentional or otherwise — protect the environment. For those looking to save money while also making a positive impact on the environment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers the following tips.

• Consider new appliances: While it might not be within your budget to rush out and replace existing appliances, when the current ones begin to wear down, the EPA suggests replacing them with Energy Star appliances. Energy Star appliances do not sacrifice quality and they can save homeowners in the neighborhood of 30 percent of their annual energy costs. Depending on the size of your home, such savings can be considerable.

• Turn off appliances when you're not home: One of the biggest, and arguably the most silent, culprits responsible for higher energy costs are appliances that are kept plugged in when they're not being used. For example, video game consoles often use up lots of energy even when not in use. Unplugging such items when they're not being used and when you're not at home could potentially net you considerable savings.

• Repair any systems that need it: Air conditioning or refrigerating systems that leak are highly inefficient and could be costing you substantial amounts of money. An old water heater often results in higher costs as well. Have air conditioning systems checked each spring before the summer season arrives. If you notice items in your refrigerator or freezer aren't as cold, you might have a leak or another problem that's costing you money. Be watchful of your HVAC system, particularly if it's older, and call a repair person as soon as you notice any problems.

• Make sure your home is properly insulated: A poorly insulated home costs a lot more to heat. Therefore, having your home's insulation inspected and replaced or added to is one guaranteed way to know you're not simply letting your money walk out the door. Have the insulation inspected as soon as possible, and certainly before the winter weather arrives.

• Conserve water: One of the easiest ways to save money on your monthly utility bills is to begin using water more responsibly. This can include taking short showers instead of baths, turning the faucet off while brushing your teeth or shaving, only doing full loads of laundry, and repairing all leaks. For a more extensive list of ways to conserve water around the home, visit the EPA Web site at www.epa.gov.