According to a report by Energy Saver, a
U.S. Department of Energy consumer resource, you can save up to ;; percent each
year on heating and cooling bills by turning back the thermostat ; F to ;; F for eight
hours a day.
Plug responsibly
Advanced power strips (APS) and
smart plugs can reduce plug loads and save
you approximately ;;;; a year, according
to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Many household electronics continue to draw standby power (aka vampire
load) even when they are switched o;; TVs
and computers, with all their paraphernalia, are prime culprits.
An APS has a built-in timer that shuts
o; the supply power to devices that are not
in use. Smart plugs, compact devices that
plug into conventional wall sockets, let you
power down remotely through smartphone
apps. Both cost little and quickly pay for
themselves, says King.
Do the light thing
The average household dedicates ;;
percent of its energy budget to lighting,
with traditional bulbs wasting most of
the energy. The use of energy-saving
light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can slash in
half the energy use typically consumed by
bulbs. Just switching out your home’s ;ve
most frequently used light fixtures with
LEDs can save you roughly ;;; per year,
according to the Department of Energy.
Go with the (low) ;ow
Homeowners tend to overlook water
use, both as a source of savings and as a
nonrenewable resource. “Low-;ush toilets
use less water per ;ush, a windfall for both
your local water savings treatment facility
as well as the global good,” says Seth Port-
ner, executive director of warmshowers.org
and a Costco member. “And it’s a no-brainer
to purchase low-;ow shower heads, which
save energy and water.”
For an average family of four, a low-
;ush toilet saves more than ;;,;;; gallons
of water a year, and a low-;ow shower head
almost ;,;;; gallons, plus almost ;;; in
electricity. C
Elizabeth Marglin writes about integrative health and energy e;ciency.
OUR DIGITAL EDITIONS
Click here for more energy ef;ciency tips
from ACEEE. (See page 10 for details.)
Blender
One of the most popular
product categories for registrants, according to Rodgers,
blenders are kitchen staples for
their ability to turn fruits and vegetables into liquid or semiliquid
form. This makes eating nutritious
foods more enticing by turning
them into delicious drinks or desserts, which is perfect for the
increasing number of health-conscious newlyweds.
Countertop oven
Another popular product category on
wedding registries, according to Rodgers,
modern toaster ovens (often referred to
as countertop ovens) are best suited for
everyday cooking needs. They take up a
fraction of the space of a conventional
oven and still cook enough food for two or
more people, but with greater e;ciency.
Wine opener and preserver
For couples who entertain, a two-in-one wine opener and preserver is a handy
tool to extend the life of a bottle of wine
after the party is over. “The preserver acts
as a vacuum that sucks the air out of the
wine so it will last longer,” says Samantha
Galbo, national marketing manager at
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 61
Kalorik, a leading manufacturer
of small electric appliances. “It’s
also an attractive showpiece to
sit on the countertop.”
Electric kettle
This e;cient, convenient product
heats water to a precise temperature in
a matter of minutes. “Since we have an
electric stove, it takes water a long
time to boil,” Lankford says. “But the
electric kettle heats up the water
quickly for a cup of tea or to make
French press co;ee.” Cordless electric kettles are also portable and eco-friendly.
Food slicer
Food slicers o;er couples the chance to
save money as well as practice a healthier
(and money-saving) lifestyle. “They can
buy meat and cheese in bulk and cook/slice
it themselves, rather than purchasing pre-sliced products from the store that typically have more preservatives,” Galbo says.
“It’s also a great tool for entertaining by
displaying your sliced meat and cheese on
a beautiful platter.” C
Kyra Gemberling is a freelance writer in
Richmond, Virginia, who is getting married
in October.
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