How to Make Your Bedroom Energy Efficient

We often hear about how to make a bathroom energy efficient or unplug kitchen appliances when they aren't in use, but how about energy efficiency when it comes to the bedroom? You might spend your evening curled up in bed and watching TV, and nobody wants to sacrifice that to save a few dollars on an energy bill or help the planet. Making your bedroom energy efficient is easier than it might seem, though. Here are four ways you can cut down your power bill and reduce energy waste.

1. Install natural and fluorescent bulbs.
The glaring fluorescent light bulbs of yesteryear are gone now – you can choose natural LED or fluorescent bulbs with that yellow, soothing glow you're used to in your bedroom. Your overhead light and any lamps should be running these bulbs if you want to be energy efficient.

Replacing just one bulb with a compact fluorescent style will save you $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb, plus even more money since they can last up to ten times as long. They generate 70 percent less heat, so if you've ever been curled up in bed reading a book and felt uncomfortable from your lamp's glare, you're in luck. (This saves air conditioning costs in the summer!)

2. Weather-strip and caulk your windows.
Every window and door in your home should be weather-stripped and caulked, but if you're looking for an easy place to start, the bedroom is a good idea. You could be experiencing a cold draft because you're losing heat through these cracks. You can easily do this yourself to save money.

If you want to check your weather-stripping job, just light a match or lighter near the edge of the window (being careful not to catch any drapes on fire, of course) and watch which way the flame and smoke blow. It will be obvious if there is any air flowing towards or away from the cracks.

3. Look at decorating with organic and natural materials.
While you generally won't benefit directly from decorating your bedroom with organic cotton sheets and recycled wood furniture, you're indirectly saving energy. This is the cheating kind of way to save the planet – you can just look at what you're buying whenever you replace an item in your bedroom, choose the natural or organic option, and feel good about yourself.

Natural materials might also save you money. If you're using thin sheets made of artificial materials and switch to good cotton sheets, they will help keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The right bedsheets can also make it easier to turn down the heat – a warm duvet will suffice, and a drop in temperature helps the human body get to sleep.

4. Arrange your electronics efficiently.
If you're in the habit of turning the lights off when you leave the room, good for you! You can extend this habit a little bit further and use the switch to turn off the power to a four-socket strip by paying attention to where you plug everything in. By cutting off the power to your TV, computer, phone, or gaming console when you aren't in the room, you will save money.

Did you know that simply turning off the electronic gadgets in your home isn't enough? Your wall outlets will still “bleed” a little power to each gadget because they're still plugged in. By wiring a switch for everything or turning off a power switch for a strip of sockets, you can stop wasting this energy.

Saving energy in every room of the house is important if you want to save money and also help the planet. Most people are motivated more by saving money, of course, but in the long run, the less energy you use, the more natural resources we leave behind for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.

Sam Jones regularly writes and reports on the energy market. He recommends checking energy prices using the site uSwitch.com to ensure you are getting the best money saving offers available.