You don't have to go out and buy energy-efficient appliances to cut down on your home's energy consumption or energy conservation. Turning off lights and appliances you already have when they are not in use is a simple way to save energy. You can also save energy by doing household duties by hand, such as hanging your clothes to dry instead of putting them in the dryer or hand-washing your dishes.

Replacing traditional lights

Traditional incandescent light bulbs use a lot of energy and need to be replaced more frequently than their energy-efficient counterparts. Compared to traditional bulbs, compact fluorescent lights, light-emitting diode bulbs, and halogen incandescent bulbs consume 25 to 80 per cent less electricity and last 3 to 25 times longer.

Using smart power strips

The electricity used by electronics when they are turned off or in standby mode, known as 'phantom loads', is a major cause of energy waste. It is believed that 75 per cent of the energy used to power household electronics is spent when they are turned off, costing a significant amount every year.

Smart power strips or advanced power strips, eliminate phantom loads by turning off the power to electronics while not in use. Smart power strips can be programmed to turn off at a specific time, after a period of inactivity, via remote switches, or in response to the condition of a 'master' device.

Purchasing energy-efficient appliances

Appliances account for around 13 per cent of total household energy use on average. When buying an appliance, keep two numbers in mind, the initial purchase price and the annual operating cost. Although energy-efficient appliances may cost more upfront, their operational costs are typically 9 to 25 per cent cheaper than conventional versions.

Windows are a major source of energy waste, accounting for 10 to 25 per cent of your entire heating expense. You can replace single-pane windows with double-pane goods to prevent heat loss via your windows.