You may have recently read our energy saving tips for your refrigerator.  Just to recap- they included keeping your refrigerator full, but not overly full, and selecting an Energy Star refrigerator.  But, did you know there are even more things you can do turn your refrigerator into an earth-friendly green machine?

Glass Storage Containers:  Storing food in glass containers, such as the Pyrex storage containers above, naturally keeps food colder, and reduces your refrigerator’s work load.

Vacuum Coils:  Every few months, use your vacuum cleaner to remove the dust and cobwebs from your refrigerator coils.  Clean coils make for a more efficient refrigerator.  A soft bristled brush may also be handy for cleaning tight areas.

Avoid the Sun:  If your refrigerator sits in a sunny spot, either move it, or cover the nearby window with window blinds, or insulated curtains.  Source:  Ideal Bite.

The Pyrex containers above are available at Cookware.Com.

Did you know that using your microwave oven to cook a meal or a side dish uses 2/3 less energy than a traditional kitchen stove?  And, here’s the weird thing…minute by minute, microwaves actually use MORE power than your kitchen stove, but because microwaves cook so much faster, the overall energy use is less.

I know you must be thinking that microwave ovens turn out rubbery, gloppy food that no one wants to eat, right?  Although microwaves certainly aren’t the best choice for every meal, these appliances have come a long way, especially when it comes to quality results.

Some new microwave ovens use convection cooking, and even halogen lights to improve food quality.  The Sharp microwave/convection oven above combines microwaves with the circulating heat of a convection oven.  It has two racks for baking, and gives you the option to turn off the turntable when you don’t need it.

Here’s another energy saving tip:  Clean your microwave oven regularly, and it will use even less energy!

A study mentioned on the U.K.’s Money News website this week provides evidence that some folks are turning to green living measures purely for financial reasons.  According to the British study by Norwich and Peterborough, 69% of people are more likely to install energy-efficient devices such as kitchen appliances and turn to alternative energy sources than they were one year ago.

What about you?  Are the constant pressures of high gas prices, and soaring energy bills causing you to adopt greener habits and look for energy-saving home products? Whether it’s for economic reasons or otherwise, going green is always a good idea.

Here are a few quick energy saving tips for saving money and living green:

• Set your washing machine to cold water wash.
• Buy an insulated blanket for your water heater.
• Avoid running your dishwasher until it’s full.
• Change your furnace filter monthly.
• Buy a reduced-flow shower head.
• Shut the water off when you brush your teeth.
• Stick to weekly or bi-weekly shopping trips to avoid wasting fuel on multiple trips to the store.

There is a common misconception that living green is always expensive. While some green household products do cost more than traditional products, there are many things you can do to save energy, reduce household waste, and live greener for less than $10. Here are just a few:

Install a sink water aerator: Available for just a few dollars, these household gadgets attach to your kitchen or bathroom water faucet, and will help you conserve water in your home.

Put up a clothes line: Get back to basics and line dry your clothes. For less than $10 you can buy clothes pins and the rope you need to make a brand new clothesline. Not only will you save energy by not using your clothes dryer, you’ll be surprised how fresh your clothes smell.

Make your own cleaner: You can easily mix your own homemade household cleaners with basic, low-cost ingredients such as baking soda, citrus fruits, and vinegar. Cost $3-$7.

Buy a plant: For a few bucks, a single house plant can help improve the air quality in your home.

Ditch the paper towels: Buy a package of washcloths or make your own from old clothing, and you’ll be reducing household waste and saving trees. Cost: $5-$10, and maybe nothing if you make your own.

Unplug!: Pull the plug on household electronics such as televisions and computers whenever you can. As always, this energy-saving technique is absolutely free!

If you’re wanting to create a more energy-efficient home, but you’re not up for a complete green remodeling project, there are some fast and easy projects you can complete in a single weekend. Here are two examples for making your home more energy efficient…in a flash!

Insulate your Attic: For a few hundred dollars and just a few hours work you can dramatically increase your home’s energy efficiency by installing insulation in your attic. Attics are a major source of wasted energy in many homes, especially those that endure cold winter climates. A well-insulated attic will allow you to conserve power, and reduce heating and cooling costs.

Caulk Away: With a $3.00 caulking gun and a tube of caulk, you can be on your way to creating a more energy-efficient, green home. Walk around your home and eliminate any gaps around baseboards and windows with a quick bead of caulk. This will help prevent the escape of air conditioning, heat, and your hard earned dollars.

It’s important to remember that green living isn’t always about expensive alternative products. Sometimes the very best green alternatives are actually quite simple.

Conserving energy for a green home is truly a constant battle that must be fought diligently to be effective. If you’re home doesn’t include these 2 quick and easy energy savers, you’re missing out on some simple ways to conserve power and live green.

Programmable Thermostat: A programmable thermostat for controlling the temperature setting on your heat and air conditioning will elminate the possibility of forgetting to turn the temperature down when you leave or before you go to bed, and prevent energy-guzzling fluctuations in home temperatures. Programmable thermostats begin around $40- a cost you’ll quickly recover in energy bill savings.

Water Heater Blanket: Another energy saving tip for your home is to wrap your water heater in an insulated water heater cover. These things are a snap to install- simply wrap around and tie the laces. Insulated water heater blankets help prevent the escape of heat from your water heater, allowing you to conserve energy, live green, and save money.

With much of America in the hottest part of the summer, electric meters are no doubt whirling in response to the increased energy demands of the air conditioners in millions of American homes. Here are a few quick tips for conserving energy and saving money on energy costs this summer. First, change the filter on your air conditioning unit often. A dirty air conditioner filter causes your unit to work harder and use more energy. A second tip for reducing summer energy costs is to conserve energy by purchasing a programmable thermostat for your air conditioner. Is it really necessary to chill the house down to 68 degrees all night long? Chances are you’ll never notice giving the air conditioner a break in the wee morning hours, and you’ll be saving energy and avoiding high summertime electric bills. A third tip for reducing the amount of energy you use in the summer is to open the windows. Sometimes we get so busy that we forget to check the outside weather to see if we really need the air conditioner all the time. Opening the windows in the evening hours is a great way to save energy and allow you home to breathe a little. As the summer sun glows, every little bit you do to conserve energy is helpful to the environment and will save you cash.