itsyournature

Addicted to your computer? Another post from our friends at Simple Steps lends some tips and tricks at saving energy after you've torn your eyes from facebook updates.

Ensure that your computer doesn't work overtime and waste electricity with these simple steps. Get rid of your screensaver, shut off your monitor and plug into a smarter power strip to save energy, money and prevent pollution from power plants.

Set Sleep Mode

Check your computer's settings and activate "sleep mode." Setting your computer to go to sleep after a few minutes of inactivity will save power and the battery if you're using a laptop. Shutting down an inactive monitor and processor can save you up to $50 a year and cut energy use by more than 90 percent. Mac users can find energy saving settings under System Preferences in the Apple menu and adjust the sleep time. Windows users will find power management in the control panel. Windows users may want to opt for operating system Vista's "hibernate" mode over sleep, because it rests the computer in a way that doesn't require you to reload everything when you switch it back on.

Get Rid of the Screen Saver

After configuring your sleep settings, take a look at your monitor. Are you using a screen saver? Those flying toasters use as much energy as leaving the computer on. With older monitors, static images would get "burned" onto the screen after a while, hence the term "screen saver" but that's no longer an issue with today's monitors. Set your computer to go to sleep or to hibernate instead.

Shut off the Monitor

Monitors typically uses more energy than the computer's hard drive. Remember to turn the monitor off when you're not using your computer. And speaking of flying toasters, if your monitor is as old as that screen saver, it might be time to consider replacing it. Older glass CRT monitors suck up more electricity than flat panel LCD screens. LCDs not only save tons of desk space and ease your eyestrain, but they also use two-thirds less power than CRT monitors. As always, look for the Energy Star label when purchasing any home or office electronics and don't throw electronics out with the trash. Monitors contain lead and should be properly disposed of.

Plug Into a Smarter Power Strip

Consider the blinking lights of the rest of the gadgets on your desk: your printer, fax machine, CD burner, external hard drive, MP3 player and any other device that is plugged into your computer. Plugging all those peripherals into a single power strip lets you turn them all off at once. New smarter power strips for the home office can automatically shut off all those peripherals when you shut off your computer. APC's SurgeArrest or Sophisticated's PowerKey Pro are power strips that "know" when your computer turns off or goes to sleep. In response, they shut down any external gadgets plugged into the same strip by cutting power to those outlets.

Finally, some good news for laptop owners: your computers are about 50 percent more efficient than comparable desktops, because they're designed to maximize battery life.

Is the hurtful cold of winter causing you to pursue some form of lightbox therapy? If you're dying to let some light in, or looking to cut down on your energy consumption, read this blog from our friends at Simple Steps and check out the latest in light-emitting diodes.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs aren't the only option for conscious, energy efficient lighting. LED, which stands for light-emitting diodes, are small and incredibly durable. Buy one now and you may not have to replace it until 2028. LEDs last up to 60,000 hours -- five times longer than compact fluorescents and 50 to 60 times the lifespan of an incandescent bulb. They use so little energy that some don't have to be plugged in at all, running on solar power or a single battery.

You already have LEDs in your home -- the little glowing lights on all your electronics. But now these tiny, bright lights can be found in modern lamps, chandeliers and sconces as well as crank flashlights and strings of holiday lights.

LEDs burn bright and cool for great decorative and accent lighting. They work well with shades, glass or other coverings to diffuse the bright light. Designers are creating futuristic, original lighting using LEDs. This very modern constellation chandelier uses clusters of LED lights suspended from copper tubes.

IKEA and Target both carry less expensive LED lamps. The IKEA Jansjo model comes as a $70 floor lamp, a $30 table lamp and a $30 wall lamp - each includes an LED bulb. Target carries a variety of sleek desk and floor lamps. And Energizer has started selling battery-powered LED nightlights, desk lamps and $45 wall sconces that you can hang anywhere without the help of an electrician.

This color-changing LED bulb comes with a remote control that allows you to adjust the hue to your mood. It can even work as a strobe light if you want to liven up a Tuesday evening at home.

For even more eco-friendly mood lighting, try LED wax-free candles. They look like votive or tea lights but it's actually an LED. These solar-powered sun and moon jars make great night lights for kids.

Solar-powered LED garden lights are available at most home and garden stores. A small solar panel charges the lights during the day and powers them through the night.

For the holidays, decorate with LED bulbs instead of standard incandescent bulbs. LED holiday lights are 90 percent more efficient than regular bulbs. Though a string of LED lights costs a bit more, it will last 20 years and is difficult to break. LED strings come in all shapes and colors and are incredibly efficient - so you can light up your yard without fear of the electricity bill.

Isn't that illuminating?

After the holiday rush you may notice that those presents you've bought have added you to one or more unwanted mailing lists. Luckily there's a free service to help you trim the fat from your junk mail pile. At Catalog Choice.org you can take control over your mailbox in just ten minutes.

Simply select which catalogs you don't want to receive and Catalog Choice will do the dirty work of contacting each and every merchant to remove you from thier mailing lists. They promise not to rent, sell, or otherwise share your contact details with anyone. Already, more than one million households have used Catalog Choice to cut down on their unwanted mail, helping to save almost 250,000 trees per year.

So grab your computer, take a few minutes, and go paperless. NRDC and its partners in the Catalog Choice Task Force want you to help introduce sustainable industry best practices and help not only save companies money, but also reduce energy consumed,carbon emitted, prevent forest loss, and prevent 4.1 million tons of waste created when unwanted catalogs are thrown away. So clean out your mailbox and get a fresher start on 2009!

Already fallen off the wagon with your new year's resolutions? Not to worry, it's not to late to get back on track in the year of hope and change. Check out the blog below from our friends at Simple Steps, and see what simple changes you can make to revamp your year.

Resolutions for a Healthier and Greener 2009

This year, make a few resolutions that are easy to keep. Take a couple of these simple steps to be well, make smart choices and save a little money in 2009. And as always, now's the time to get rid of the old and make a fresh start. Find out which three things even the most avid environmentalist should throw in the trash.

Be well!
Walk or bike more. It's not only good for your health, it's good for everyone else's health by reducing pollution.

Eat more locally grown food. Seasonal produce that hasn't flown half-way around the world will be fresher, tastier and cuts down on the pollution that causes global warming.

Buy organic when you can particularly peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines and strawberries, which contain the most pesticides.

Avoid fish high in mercury and choose fish that are sustainably caught to ensure a steady supply for years to come.

Don't spray pesticides to control pest in your home. Stop pests at the source and user safer chemical treatments only when necessary. Find a Green Shield-certified pest control expert.

Save!
If you're still buying plastic bottles of water, buy a reusable bottle instead.

Clean your home with natural products, just about anything can be cleaned with vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda.

Take a couple simple steps to save a lot of energy in your home.

Carry a reusable bag and refuse plastic bags, no more breaking, tearing or blowing in the wind. Some stores will give you a credit if you bring your own bag.

Out with the old!

There are a few old things that are simply too unhealthy or inefficient to continue using another year. Toss these now and replace with better alternatives:

Incandescent light bulbs waste so much energy compared to compact fluorescent bulbs that you shouldn't wait until they burn out to replace them with CFLs. If everyone increased their energy efficiency, we wouldn't need to build more polluting power plants that cause global warming.

Old refrigerators use much more energy than newer models. Today's Energy Star-qualified models use 40 percent less energy than the conventional models sold in 2001. Replacing an aging fridge could dramatically reduce your monthly electricity bill. Learn more.

PVC is toxic to produce and unhealthy to have in your home. PVC often contains lead and products made of PVC release toxic chemicals in your home. Toss anything made of PVC -- check shower curtains, rain jackets and children's toys.

Have a healthy, happy new year!