The only drawback is cost, but that will change as the technology matures. CFLs were also quite expensive when they first came out, and as time went on the cost came down as the quality improved.

One last thing, consider getting a programmable thermostat for your furnace and/or air conditioner, you can pick one up for as little as $50. A couple of degrees in change of temperature when no one is home, or when you are asleep, can save you a lot over the course of a year, and also help the environment.

I already have the energy saving light bulbs throughout my apartment. That was actually one of the first things I did when I moved in, I ran around and changed all of the light bulbs.

I try to not leave any lights on when I leave a room for more than 5 minutes. Sometimes it can’t be helped, but I do try my hardest to flip that switch when walking out.

I use Hibernation mode on my computer. The only time I actually power it off is usually during the nasty Florida storms. I have power strips, but I still rather not chance it.

Speaking of power strips, I have ALL of my electronics plugged into a power strip of some sort. It makes it way easier to unplug everything during those nasty storms when all I have is one plug to remove instead of many.

I have an LCD monitor and wouldn’t change it for the world. I’m in the process of acquiring one to replace my mother’s CRT monitor actually, as well as replacing her PC.

I love tips like these. Simple stuff that a lot of people don’t know or think about. Thanks for these. :)

Another power saving option to consider are the new ’smart’ power strips that help reduce the trickle of electricity that many electronics consume even when they’re powered off.