Electronic equipment and appliances, including cell phones, personal listening devices, PCs, game centers, and plasma TVs have increased demand for residential energy use annually by 3.4% since 1990, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This trend leads the IEA to estimate that personal electrical energy usage in homes should triple by 2030 worldwide-making energy efficiency an even more important aspect to think about in your home.

Think efficiency. There is a lot you can do to improve your "efficiency proficiency" without purchasing new high-efficiency appliances.