8 Easy Ways to Save Energy
If you don’t have the money for fancy energy-saving appliances, it might seem like a lost cause to reduce your power consumption around the house. But what if you could do your part for the environment without breaking the bank? Here are just a few simple and affordable ways to save energy.
1. Change Your Filters
When your air conditioner is dirty, it takes twice as much power to give you the same level of coolness. Change your filters to ensure that your unit is running at full capacity.
2. Use Motion-Detecting Lights
A brightly-lit yard will deter burglars, but you’re wasting energy if you run them 10+ hours a night. Put them on a motion sensor instead so they’ll only come on when they’re needed.
3. Lower the Thermostat
Start keeping a sweater over the back of your chair instead of fiddling with the thermostat every two seconds. Not only will you save power, but you’ll also be less inconvenienced throughout the day.
4. Take Shorter Showers
The next time you’re in the shower, can you wash for one minute less than usual? This simple trick will save you six hours of water a year.
5. Replace Your Light Bulbs
Instead of using halogen bulbs, switch to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). They give off the same level of illumination but take less power to do it. As a bonus, they also last longer than halogen bulbs and will save you more money in the long run.
6. Switch Utility Companies
Did you sign up with your current utility company just because they were the biggest brand name in your area? Switch to a company like PALMco; they actually care about their carbon footprint.
7. Caulk Your Cracks
If you notice a draft in your living room, check out your door and window frames. You might have a crack that’s letting cool air inside, in which case you’ll need to apply some caulk to seal it up.
8. Air-Dry Your Clothes
Unless your child needs that soccer uniform right away, there’s no reason to run the whole dryer for it. Hang it up and let it air-dry instead. You’ll save energy and prevent shrinkage.
These are just a few ways to start giving back to Mother Nature. There are many more, of course, but these should be enough to get you started on a journey of eco-friendliness. Which one can you start today and see savings?
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