When it finally comes time to start tackling your home project to-do list, it’s a great time to consider adding a few energy-saving commitments to your goals to help lower energy bills and protect the planet. Here are some ways you can achieve success with your updates:

• Upgrade your aging fridge. Older refrigerators waste tons of energy compared to newer, more efficient models. If all refrigerators sold in the United States were Energy Star-certified, about eight billion pounds of annual greenhouse gas emissions would be prevented. LG’s energy-saving door-in-door refrigerators can save you as much as $300 on energy costs over their lifetime. For maximum savings, make sure to recycle your old fridge, don’t move your old refrigerator to the garage or basement to be used as a “beer fridge.”

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• Flip the switch to energy-saving lighting. About 10 percent of the energy your home uses goes to lighting costs. By replacing just five of your home’s most frequently used lights with energy-efficient bulbs, you could save up to $80 a year in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime. Energy Star-certified bulbs use 70 to 90 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and produce significantly less heat, making them safer to operate. Choose LEDs, which can last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

• Save energy even while watching TV. TVs with the Energy Star label are on average over 25 percent more energy efficient than conventional models, saving energy in all usage modes.

• Consult a home performance contractor to achieve larger savings. A professional energy audit gives you a thorough picture of where your home is losing energy and what you can do to save money. By making upgrades, you can expect to save 15 to 30 percent or more in energy costs, while also improving your home’s comfort.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.

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