Guest Author - Rhonda Cliett

An important aspect of managing your home finances is to maximize the value of your dollar. Home energy consumption is an area which we can implement smart spending strategies.

New Products
If you are in the market for new appliances then you have the opportunity to purchase products which will provide the greatest energy efficiency. The simplest way to make an energy wise purchase is to purchase appliances that have earned the ENERGY STAR rating. Earning the ENERGY STAR rating means a product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. ENERGY STAR was created to help consumers easily identify products, homes, and buildings that save energy and money, and help protect the environment. As the government-backed, trusted symbol for energy efficiency, the ENERGY STAR label identifies highly efficient products and designates superior energy performance in homes and buildings.

Energy Saving Lightbulbs and Light Fixtures
According to the ENERGY STAR website, the average American household spends $1,400 a year on energy bills. With ENERGY STAR, you can save up to 30% or more than $450 on your energy bill. For a breakdown of what your energy bill pays for, see the chart at the ENERGY STAR website. According to this chart, lighting accounts for only 7% of our energy bill. So, why focus our attention on lightbulbs and light fixtures? Simply because this is the one area which we have immediate control and does not require making a major purchase or does not involve major home improvements. When purchasing light bulbs or light fixtures, look for those that have earned the ENERGY STAR rating.

Another great resource is the GE Consumer website. Their interactive site will allow you to find just the right bulb for a particular room. You can also print coupons for their various lightbulbs as well as learn more about the individual products.

Conclusion
Many times the task of spending wisely becomes too daunting and we end up choosing saving time in lieu of saving money. However, as this article has pointed out, selecting energy efficient products for your home does not have to be a cumbersome task. You may choose to peruse the various websites in order to do further research, or you may simply look for products with the ENERGY STAR label when making your in-store purchases. Whichever method you select, these smart spending strategies will maximize your home finance dollar.