We Are Taking More Power Saving Measures

Many of us are feeling the pinch during the current financial crisis. Along with other cost cutting measures, it seems, we are also looking to the energy use in our own homes to reduce the cost of outgoings.

On a more positive note, the research found homeowners to be far more proactive when it comes to taking steps to boost energy efficiency, with a significant proportion now acknowledging the financial and environmental benefits of fitting double-glazing and insulation and of turning electrical appliances off when not in use.

Meanwhile, Google has announced the launch of its new Powermeter in the UK; with the technology giant confident that the application can help save households money and reduce carbon footprints by giving them a detailed view of their energy consumption.

Already being rolled out in the US, the application is designed to be used alongside individual power meters, which send data to a personalised Google page. This can be accessed by users to see what appliance is eating up how much power and when.

And while the idea of a centralised power consumption monitor may be a bit too much for some technophobes, with the Energy Saving Trust having revealed that the gizmos could save the average household £75 a year, it's likely that they'll become as commonplace as toasters and kettles in the years to come.

Some tips to reduce energy use in your home:

•    Turn down the heating – it sounds obvious but even a reduction of one degree can make a significant saving. Why not simply put on a few more layers of clothing to keep warm instead of turning up the thermostat?
•    Turn off lights – how many of us have popped upstairs in our homes during the evening and left all the lights on? If you are not in a room the lights should be turned off.
•    Using energy saving bulbs – if you do need to leave a light on for example a night light in the room of a small child, then you should be using energy saving light bulbs. These use less electricity and also last many times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

If you want to know more about how to save power in your home why not ask AnswerBank Technology.