4 Must-Have Energy-Saving Products

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4 Must-Have Energy-Saving Products

Staff Writer · Nov 4, 2009

If you’re looking for ways to save money on your electric and gas bills, consider using energy saving products. The initial monetary investment will save you money in the long run if you choose the right products. Here are 4 must-haves to buy:

1. Automatic Indoor Timer

One way to combine your efforts to protect your apartment from burglars and to save money on your electric bill, is to use an automatic indoor timer. All you have to do is plug one in, and set it to the time you want your lights to come on. It will turn your lights on when you’re not home. A good timer will have multiple on and off settings, allowing you to program the timer in a way that makes it look more authentic. For example, you don’t want to set a timer to turn on all of your lights at once. This will be obvious to anyone monitoring your apartment that you’re using a timer, and that you’re not actually home. You’ll also save money because you won’t have to leave the lights on in your apartment all the time.

2. Magnetic Vent Covers

Central air and heat can be great to have in your apartment. However, it can cost you more money if you don’t use it wisely. One way to cut costs is to use magnetic vent covers. These do exactly what they sound like: Cover your vents. You want to get enough covers for every vent in your apartment. Then, cover the vents in the rooms you aren’t using. This will result in less energy being used, which will save you money.

3. Space Heaters

An alternative to using central heat or baseboards all the time, is using portable space heaters. This an affordable energy saving product that you can get at most department, home improvement or hardware stores. These should be used for short term purposes, and you shouldn’t sleep with them running (unless it has an automatic shut off) for safety reasons. For example, if you’re going to be working at your desk for a couple of hours, you can use the portable heater to warm you up. It might be cold in the rest of your apartment, but you’re not going to be using those rooms for a while. When you leave your central heat running in those other rooms, you waste energy and money.

4. Energy Saving Light Bulbs

There’s a debate over whether energy saving light bulbs, such as the ones with the Energy Star stamp, actually save you money. These include LEDs and fluorescent light bulbs. If you’re wondering whether to replace your old light bulbs or keep using them, the answer is to try both alternatives and see what works. For example, it might be better to use LED lights for your flashlight, but not for your desk lamps. It might be better to use a bulb that has lower watts instead of switching over to fluorescent light bulbs. The key is to make sure you don’t excessively use your lights. That’s where the big savings are. Turn off your lights and only use them when you need to.

You can buy any of these energy saving products at your local store or favorite online store, such as www.Amazon.com. Like anything else you have to buy, shop around for the best prices. Try to save money on the products, as well as your utility bills.

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