We are all about making better use of resources here at Paleblue. A major part of that is reducing waste. The more waste we can eliminate, the more efficiently we will use the resources we have. To that end, we want to use this post to discuss easy ways to use less electricity at home.

Electricity is a resource that we produce using other resources. So if we can reduce power consumption, we can make better use of the resources needed to produce energy. Fortunately, neither the principal itself nor putting it into practice is difficult.

Below are some easy ways to use less electricity. As you read, bear in mind that choosing USB rechargeable batteries over their single-use counterparts means fewer resources required to manufacture batteries. Fewer single-use batteries mean fewer batteries going to landfills, which also helps to make better use of limited resources.

Switch to LED Bulbs

One of the easiest and most noticeable ways to save energy at home is to switch out all your incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs with LEDs. A typical LED bulb costs more at the cash register but, like our lithium-ion batteries, actually saves a lot of money in the long run. LED lights use approximately 80% less energy compared to incandescent bulbs. Not only that, but they also last longer and produce significantly less heat as well.

Utilize Smart Lighting

As long as we're talking light bulbs, you can also use less electricity by taking advantage of smart lighting. Smart lighting comes in many shapes and forms. The most basic system utilizes motion-sensitive switches to automatically turn lights on and off. When there is no motion in a room, lights shut off automatically. More advanced smart lighting systems allow you to program lights according to your daily routine.

Install a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are similar to smart lighting in that they can be programmed according to your routine. Today's smart thermostats are as easy to use as a smart phone, featuring touchscreens that make programming a snap. Programming your thermostat can reduce your electric consumption considerably.

Cook and Freeze Larger Meals

Believe it or not, you can reduce electricity by cooking larger meals and freezing what you don't immediately eat. For example, it takes a lot of energy to heat your oven. You might just as well make the best of it. As long as you are heating the oven to cook a roast, bake some potatoes at the same time. You can freeze them for future use. Not only that but keeping your freezer full also saves energy by helping it run more efficiently.

Unplug Unused Gadgets and Appliances

We Americans tend to use a lot of phantom electricity. This is electricity that devices continue to consume even though they aren't being used. Perhaps you have an inkjet or laser printer in your office. Unplug it when it's not being used. If you only print something once or twice per month but the printer remains plugged in, it is unnecessarily drawing electricity. Everything from coffeemakers to DVD players can be easily unplugged when not in use.

Using less electricity at home does require some forethought. And yes, it can be a little inconvenient. But the payoff is worth it. Using less electricity means lower utility bills. It also means doing your part to help the world use resources more efficiently.

As you look to reduce your electricity consumption, don't forget to replace your single-use batteries with USB rechargeable batteries from Paleblue. They represent yet another way to help the world use its resources more responsibly.