Being energy smart takes two things—using the clean, renewable energy available that’s just as powerful and reliable as energy from fossil fuels, and using less energy by avoiding common, wasteful habits. 

Many call energy efficiency the 5th renewable.  It is the most effective way to reduce the use of fossil fuels and the need to build additional power plants.  As our appliances become more energy efficient, however, we use an increasing number to power our lives.  Over the past 15 years, for example, the average household in the Northeast has increased its energy use by over 1000 more kwhs per year.  Think about how many cell phone chargers, ipods, game systems, plasma televisions and kitchen appliances are in your home today compared to just 10 years ago.  If we want to stop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution, we have to do something to curb our electricity use!

And we can. The way to energy efficiency is not through homes left too hot or too cold, or through depriving ourselves of the energy we need and want to use. It’s simply about being smarter with our power—about knowing how and when energy is wasted in the home, and making the smart choice to stop that waste. By doing so, we save money, we save energy and the world is a little less polluted as a result.

We can all contribute to a cleaner world simply by not wasting what we have. Check out our SmartPower Energy Tips and learn how to easily conserve energy and make a difference.