Easy Ways You Can Save Energy, Money

You know that cars burn gasoline and send carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is thought to lead to global warming. But power plants also emit large amounts of carbon dioxide by burning coal, gas or other fossil fuels. So using less energy in the home means burning less fuel.

As the Union of Concerned Scientists explains on ClimateChoices.org, just about every product depends on burning fossil fuels, either in the manufacturing process or in shipping it to stores. When we waste less, we consume less, and that means fewer greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

You can hardly give up consuming things. But we can all reduce our consumption of both energy and products. Most of the steps you can take save money and don't require big changes to your life.

Buy Energy Star Appliances

Energy Star is a government program that supports especially energy-efficient appliances. The Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy work together to maintain very high standards for the products they endorse.

Everything from clothes washers to dehumidifiers are among the approved products, and using them can save a substantial amount of energy and expense. According to Energystar.gov, Americans saved $12 billion in energy costs in 2005. The certified products also kept enough gases out of the atmosphere to equal elimination of emissions from 23 million cars.