There has been,
and continues to
be, much
conversation
about conserving
energy in your
home.
Conservation is
necessary to
ensure there are
enough resources
for our future
and the future
of the next
generations.
When the
discussions
about energy
conservation
began, people
were overwhelmed
and confused -
to incorporate
energy
conservation in
homes seemed
complicated and
expensive. As
time passed,
costs decreased
and families are
now able to
incorporate
energy-saving
tools for much
less money.
In fact, in the
long term, most
families can
save money.
Also, we have
become more
educated about
conserving
energy; it's
becoming a way
of life.
Following are 13
steps that you
can do to
conserve energy,
money, and green
your home.
1. Unplug
anything in your
house that you
are not using or
have finished
using for the
day - examples -
lamps in unused
rooms, hair
dryer after
using for the
day,
televisions,
coffee pots,
toasters - the
savings add up
quickly.
2. Install or
learn to use a
programmable
thermostat for
heating and
cooling.
3. Turn off
lights each time
you leave a
room.
4. Contact your
utility company
to set up a free
assessment of
your energy
usage and how to
use energy more
effectively.
Utility
companies are
generally set up
to render this
service at no
cost.
5. Change out
standard light
bulbs for energy
efficient
compact
fluorescent
bulbs that have
a longer life.
These light
bulbs have
become more cost
efficient -
watch for sales
or rebates from
your utility
company. If
everyone in the
United States
replaced all
their standard
bulbs for
compact
fluorescent
bulbs this would
be the
equivalent of
taking 1,000,000
cars off the
road.
6. Determine if
your utility
company has
different rates
for using your
utilities at
different times
of day; e.g.,
on-peak and
off-peak hours.
7. Replace
appliances with
Energy
Star
products.
8. Recycle
everything you
can think of -
cans, plastic
bottles,
wrapping paper,
newspapers,
magazines,
cardboard boxes,
etc. If your
community does
not have a
recycling
program, contact
them to see if
one can be
started - if
not, get
creative -
recycle anyway.
9. Run
dishwasher when
the dishwasher
is full of
dishes versus
half full.
10. Buy and use
BPA-free water
bottles instead
of buying water
in plastic
bottles.
11. Turn off
your computers
at night versus
putting them to
sleep.
12. Keep your
tires inflated
always; you will
save money on
fuel and go
farther per
mile.
13. Use cloth
napkins during
your meals
versus paper
napkins.
This is a short
list of ideas
for greening
your home. It
does not take a
lot of extra
work or money
but it takes
living life
consciously to
determine where
you can begin to
be conservative.
Everything you
do will make a
difference. If
you begin to
incorporate the
above
suggestions, you
will make an
impact on the
life and quality
of our planet. |
