Update: We added 10 More Energy Saving Tips in another article!

Consumption is something we hear about a lot these days. We are told that our human consumption may be harming the environment. I choose to conserve energy around my home because it can save me some money, and it may be better for the environment to do so. I don't know if we are harming the environment or not, but I still follow these 9 tips to help save energy around my home.

1. Perhaps the easiest and most common way to save energy around your home is with energy saving light bulbs. There are many types but the best around is an LED bulb. A LED light bulb will last a lot longer than a conventional light bulb and uses about a quarter of the energy to operate. I've outfitted every room in my house with LED light bulbs, and I can't even tell the difference, except, of course, on my monthly electricity bill.

2. Save water and energy by only using your dishwasher when it is a full load. You can also air-dry your dishes instead of using the heated drying function on your dishwasher. Your dishwasher also utilizes the water heater, which uses up even more energy.

3. You can set your water heater to 140 degrees, commonly known as the "normal" setting. Find out if you can operate your dishwasher at 120 degrees, because if you can, then you can set the water heater temperature to 120 degrees instead of 140 degrees. Dishwashers are heavy energy users, so it's never a bad idea to wash your dishes by hand if you're up to it.

4. When possible, use the cold water setting on your washing machine when you do laundry. You can also hang your clothes up to dry instead of using your clothes dryer. I find that my clothes dry very quickly when they are hanging outside in mid-summer. Hanging my clothes to dry also seems to keep them from shrinking and fading.

5. If you're a bath person, try to take more showers. You use less water when you take a shower. Once I got my daughter to take showers instead of baths, I saw my heating bill go down because the water heater wasn't being used as much.

6. Don't leave unused appliances or lights turned on. If you're leaving a room, turn the TV off. There is also no reason to leave your computer on all night, so you should turn it off when possible. Power strips are also a good investment. Plug your appliances into a power strip and when you are not using them, turn the switch on the power strip to the OFF position. I've heard that appliances can still use electricity when plugged in, even when they are turned off.

7. Try to purchase an appliance that has the Energy Star logo on them. An appliance with the Energy Star logo means that it is proven to conserve energy by the Government. Energy Star is a joint venture by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Together they have formed standards for efficient appliances.

8. Weatherstrip your doors and windows. Check all windows and doors for air leaks. An air leak will let in cold air in the Winter and hot air in the Summer. Air leaks on a window can be fixed with caulking, and air leaks on a door can be fixed with weather stripping; both can be found at your local hardware store.

9. Close the damper on your fireplace when you are not using it. An open damper will create something they call the "stack effect" in the home. This will pull air out of the house via the fireplace and up the chimney and exacerbate any existing air leaks in the home. I close the damper on my fireplace for the entire Summer because not only will I not be using it, but I also know how much money can be saved by keeping it closed. In the Winter try not to use the fireplace and your home's heating system at the same time.

Saving energy around your home is not that hard, and it is worth it. Not only is it worth it because you save money, but you are also helping the environment. Have you done all of these things and want to know about the next step? Consider an Online Energy Audit and unlock the next round of savings for you and your home.