There are some very practical, low-cost ways to make your home run more efficiently and save money every month on electricity and heating bills, while reducing your total impact on the earth. Let’s get started!

Get your home tested: Almost any home would benefit from receiving a home energy audit. Whether you do one yourself or have a professional walk through your space, it’ll help you pinpoint areas where you can improve to make your home more energy efficient. The test usually covers your home’s exterior, including foundation, roofing, windows, doors, and percentage of exposed walls, and then considers the interior systems, such home heating and cooling, appliances, water fixtures, electronics, lighting, and more. When you’re done, take the plan and start to make improvements. You may even find that federal and municipal incentives and tax rebates exist to defray the costs of any retrofits.

Add timers to appliances: You can reduce your energy consumption by ensuring appliances are only working when they’re required. For instance, installing a programmable thermostat can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent, saving close to $150 every year for some homes. You can also install a timer on your water heater to program it to heat water only when it’s most needed. Another common place for timers is for lighting. Simple timers that turn lights on and off at pre-set times every day can help to prevent you accidentally leaving lights on after you exit a room. And motion sensors can be used to automatically turn lights off in closets, garages, and backyards so that you’re not running them when no one’s around.

Dial down for savings: Many appliances can be dialled down to cut energy consumption. Turn the temperature setting down a couple of degrees on both your furnace and water heater during cold weather without losing comfort-you’ll see the difference on your energy bill. Raise the temperature on your air conditioner a degree or two, too, during hot weather. Your home may not be as chilly, but you’ll likely still live within your comfort limits. Make similar adjustments with other appliances such as your refrigerator and freezer to see additional savings.

Upgrade your lighting:  If you haven’t yet, go out and get yourself some compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to use throughout your home. Contrary to their flickery, yellow ancestors, today’s CFLs are much improved and come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They do cost more upfront than conventional incandescent bulbs, but they generally pay for themselves in a couple of months or a year. And since they last much longer, you’ll also be changing bulbs less frequently. Just be sure to recycle them when they burn out to ensure proper containment of the tiny amount of mercury they contain. LEDs (light-emitting diode) bulbs are another great option since they’re even more efficient and longer-lasting than CFLs. And they can be used for more than your holiday decorations-think landscape lighting, task lamps, and more.

Find out more:

· US EPA Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit

· Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency

Kate Williams is a wellness coach and health educator. See more of her articles and information about “green” topics especially creating non-toxic homes at Safe Clean for Kids. http://www.Safe-Clean-For-Kids.com Contact: kate@Safe-Clean-for-Kids.com and 1-866-567-1587 (toll free).

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If you’re nervous about buying these fixtures online, you need not be. Many retailers offer a wide variety of selections at deep discounted rates – lots of times with free shipping! Products are usually shipped within a few days (or a few weeks if a specialty, made-to-order item). In the unfortunate event that any item arrives defective or broken, you can easily return or request a replacement fixture.

Each of these retailers are featured because of their selection of contemporary models, excellent customer service, and special savings offered to customers. If you’re remodeling on a budget or simply a price-savvy consumer, shopping for outdoor ceiling fans online may literally save you hundreds of dollars. But the first step on the road to savings is to know exactly where to shop!

Lighting By Gregory
The brick-and-mortar location for Lighting by Gregory has been part of the famed Lighting District of Manhattan for over a quarter of century. One of its claims to fame include being named as “Best Lighting Store” by New York Magazine. You will find a variety of contemporary and traditional lighting fixtures at Lighting By Gregory from bathroom lighting to home decor to torchieres. Their inventory also includes a wide variety of ceiling fans. Simply choose one of its featured styles (contemporary, traditional, tropical, or transitional), and you’re one step closer to finding the perfect fan for your outdoor space. Be careful before you buy because there isn’t a quick link for indoor vs. outdoor models on the website. You want to make sure that your fan is damp- or wet-listed if you plan on mounting outdoors.

Lamps Plus
Established in 1976, Lamps Plus is also far from a newcomer in the industry. Lamps Plus prides itself as the nation’s largest specialty lighting company with brick-and-mortar locations found primarily in the Western United States. The website itself is easy to navigate. Again, be careful, while outdoor ceiling fans are listed, they are not separated from indoor models. You want to be certain that your chosen fan is damp- or wet-rated to be suitable for outdoor conditions.

If there are any questions, there is a live chat service where you can instantly connect with a customer service agent. You can even use the personal callback service where you leave your name and number to be contacted by customer service. You can easily compare styles and prices across models by adding to your “portfolio.” And lastly, if there is not a ceiling fan that suits your fancy, try the “Design Your Own Fan” feature by choosing motor size and type, custom fan blades, light kit for a one-of-a-kind model that perfectly fits your space.

Want to save hundreds of dollars on outdoor ceiling fans? Please visit Contemporary Outdoor Ceiling Fans for the best featured models from major retailers. Be sure to check out the buying guide for links to discounts to buy outdoor ceiling fans for less!

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Lighthouses are a very recognizable symbol, and represent many things for many people. For anyone who loves to travel, each lighthouse can represent a place they’ve visited or hope to someday. More metaphorically, lighthouses symbolize a warning of danger ahead, as well as a beacon over the horizon guiding you home. Nautical lamps in the shapes and colors of familiar lighthouses will make you smile every time you turn them on. They don’t necessarily have to be an exact replica. Even having some of the same colors and an overall style can accent a nautical theme.

Antique ship pieces can be made into spectacular nautical lamps to go along with your theme. Lanterns traditionally used on old fashioned fishing boats can be reconditioned and used as lighting in your home or office. It may take a little legwork, as they are not often easy to come by, but scouring antique dealers is the best way to track down these pieces. If you live on or around the east coast, or you are planning a visit sometime soon, keep an eye on antique shops and other stores that may have nautical themed lamps and other lighting.

Nautical themes don’t necessarily have to be representative of ships and lighthouses. There is other life in the ocean that can be incorporated into your design. For a child’s room, brightly colored fish on the walls on top of blue paint can be a whimsical trip to the ocean floor. Nautical lamps can be decorated with the same brightly colored fish or other sea life. You can even use real coral and seashells to make your own decorative and creative lamps. This is something that kids can help you with and they will appreciate being a part of decorating their own living space. Whether you make your own lamps, buy them brand new or refurbish real ones, you can feel like you are on the ocean or even in it any time you like.

Where to find Lamps R Us coupons quickly and easily by visiting http://www.modernlampsguide.com a popular lamp decorating website that offers tips, advice and resources including tips for decorating ideas using Phillips lamps.

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Sticking with the theme of “piracy” is important when decorating for this type of party. As such, lighting will play an important role for your décor. Think of old pirate ships, old haunts where pirates and wenches could be found, bars and the like. Decorating after the Captain’s Quarters of any old pirate ship can be a good theme to play off of. Vintage, traditional looking chandeliers filled with gemstones and candelabras are always ideal as lighting centerpieces for any room, and they sure evoke a pirate ambience. Keep the lighting of your chandelier dim so that your party has that mysterious, old ship feel. And for extra kicks, tie a rope by your chandelier and anchor the end to a latch on the wall; don’t attach the rope literally to the chandelier. The whole purpose is to make it look like you could untie the rope and swing from it as the chandelier drops.

If you’re looking to give your home a shipping dock setting, add some torch lights along the walls of hallways and around your living room and yard. Wall sconces with torch-styled lamps will work well, especially if you have amber colored diffusers. Table lamps are also another great way to achieve that pirate feel, as long as you stick with vintage inspired lamps and silk shades. More brownie points to you if you can find a terribly designed lamp with skeleton bones or skulls on the base and neck of the lamp!

Once you’ve got your lighting down, you’re ready to start assembling your fellow pirates and wenches for a nightlong party full of booty and ale. Arrggghhh, enjoy, me matey!!

For an excellent selection in floor lamps and chandeliers be sure to visit Eco-Lights.com.

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