Many people choose their home appliances and gadgets with little thought or care, picking up a kettle at the local supermarket, finding the cheapest CD player on the internet or picking up a second hand washing machine which has seen better days.
In fact, choosing your home appliances and technology appliances carefully can save you time, money and business electricity if you get it right. All appliances sold now are required to show their energy rating and this can make an awful lot of difference to your bills as well as to the environment.
Take a washing machine, for example, or a dishwasher. Some of these appliances have the most fantastic features which save both electricity and water, by washing your clothes more effectively on a lower temperature and with half the water or by making your dishes sparkling clean with the minimum of detergent and a fraction of the water.
There are some great review sites out there which will help you to make your decision, as well as consumer magazines which will point you in the right direction.
You may have to pay more up front for the appliances with energy saving features, but you should work out how much lower your bills will be to calculate your return on investment period as they can work out cheaper in the end.