You Only Need to Make Small Changes in Your Home to Go Green and Make a Difference.
Everybody is talking about “going green”. It’s easy to understand the importance of becoming environmentally friendly and how some actions negatively impact the earth; however, the difficult task is making a change. Many people do not realize that small changes at home, along with some extra thought during daily activities, can have great impact on a global level.
We have outlined some simple energy tips that are easy to implement and will save you money in the long run and most important, reduce your carbon footprint.
1.Use a programmable thermostat. Setting your thermostat three to five degrees lower while you are asleep and when no one is at home, will lower your utilities bill and save energy. You can even adjust just one degree lower and save resources. Regular maintenance of your heating and cooling system can also be beneficial.
2.Turn down the thermostat on your hot water heater. A typical home only requires the hot water heater to be set at 120 degrees, but some manufacturers have set their heaters to 140 degrees, a temperature that can be scalding. Turning your hot water thermostat down 20 degrees can save you between 6 to 10 percent in energy bills.
3. Use more LED bulbs where possible. Light-Emitting Diode bulbs are significantly more energy-efficient than either incandescent or CFL bulbs. LED technology is nothing new. An LED bulb will last approximately 50,000 hours – five times longer than a CFL bulb. If the bulb is left on for eight hours per day, it will last over 17 years and there will be noticeable cost savings.
4. Save water and save money. Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too. Install a low-flow showerhead. They don’t cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment. Also, make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
5. Unplug appliances when they are not being used.Appliances and electronics when turned off but still plugged into a power outlet use energy – ‘phantom energy’. Of course there are some appliances that you simply cannot unplug everyday. Unplugging your appliances probably won’t leave you noticeably richer, but it’s a relatively easy way to save 5 to 10 percent on your electricity bill. And if you can convince your friends and neighbors to eliminate phantom power as well, the cumulative effect could be truly impressive.
Many of the steps we can take to stop climate change, collectively can make our lives better. Our grandchildren-and their children-will thank us for living more sustainably. Let’s start now by acting local and thinking global!