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.