Saint Patricks’ Day is almost here, and we are prepared to dress up in all green, searching for four leaf clovers. Talking about green, it’s a great color and also stands for eco-friendliness. When you go green and conserve energy, you not only help the environment, but also save money.

All of us understand the importance of saving energy, but we don't quite know where to start. You don't have to invest a lot of time or money in saving energy. You only have to make a few lifestyle changes and you will able to save hundreds of dollars on your energy bills.

Here are a few energy saving tips.

Unplug appliances when they are not in use

Switch off all appliances when they are not in use. When an appliance is plugged in, it will consume electricity even if you are not using it actively. Chargers, for example, use energy even when they are not charging. Don't leave your appliances on standby. If you do, you are wasting energy.

Involve your kids

If you are on a mission to save energy, why don't you get your kids involved? Encourage them to turn off lights, fans, and other appliances that are not in use. Teach them not to waste paper and to conserve water. Your kids will grow up to be eco-friendly, and there will be a more environment conscious generation.

Try infrared sauna

If you’re among those who love saunas for their health and beauty benefits, it would be a great idea to go for infrared saunas because they consume less power than traditional ones. We, JNH Lifestyles, only use wood from sustainable forests, and the total amount of electricity used to run an infrared sauna is minimal compared to the benefits it provides.

Use natural heating and lighting

With natural heating and lighting solutions, you wouldn’t need artificial ones that consume power. Try roof lights and double glazed windows. With roof lights, your house will stay bright with sunlight and you don’t have to spend on electricity. Double glazed windows would keep your house warm in winters and cool in summers, and thus are a great power saving option. If you can invest a bit extra, try DIY solar panels.

Start a waste reduction program

Recycling is one way of saving energy and natural resources. You can achieve the same results by simply reducing the waste produced in your household. Buy only the items that you need. Sort through the trash to see which materials occupy the most space. Are there any repairable or reusable items? Limit the use of disposable products. Instead, look for items that can be reused and recycled.

Waste reduction should begin at the shopping mall. While shopping, look for durable products. Disposable products are cheap but they cannot be reused.

Before replacing items, see if you can repair them. Buy items that can be recycled through local recycling centers. Buy in smaller sizes. When you buy things in bulk, you might be able to save money, but larger sizes also produce leftover waste.