Global warming and climate change is an issue that will affect every person on the planet either directly or indirectly. We can reduce the impact of global warming if we act now as individuals. It starts from our home. This is because much of the energy we use in our homes comes from power plants, which burn fossil fuel to power our electric products. Burning fossil fuels causes air pollution and contributes to smog, acid rain and global warming. How can you save energy, save money and save our planet from choices made in your home? Let’s examine some ways to achieve this.
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs have revolutionized energy-efficient lighting. CFLs are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent lights. Replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half-ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb.
Appliances are another area we can focus on. Home appliances look pretty much the same on the outside, but they vary widely in terms of energy-efficiency and operating costs. You can buy years of energy savings by choosing appliances that carry the “energy star” symbol. You can lower your utility bill and help protect the environment by choosing energy efficient appliances and using them wisely.
Heating and cooling efficiencies are another way to save on home energy costs. There are many ways to cut down on energy wastes. Make sure your doors and windows are well sealed during the winter months. Door sweeps can easily be installed as well. Programmable thermostats let you adjust the times your home is heated, so heat can be lowered while you are asleep or out of the house. Insulating water pipes and water heaters are another way to achieve energy efficiency. If your home is heated by a furnace you should replace furnace filters when required as well as keeping vents and air returns clear.
Today our modern homes are filled with toxic chemicals for cleaning and products designed to make our life easier. Pesticides are also used frequently for most common household insects and to keep our outside property free from pests, but these potent chemical compounds are toxic and harmful to the environment. The toll from the use of these commercial, chemical-based products can be high -- long-term health concerns for the family, and environmental pollution caused by their manufacture and disposal. In the US, for example, 1 in 3 people suffer from asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis and allergies (US National Center for Health Statistics).
Water is something that is easy to waste in our homes of we are not careful. Taking shorter showers and installing low-flow showerheads and faucets can save you money and help save the environment. Be aware of the water wasted by watering our lawns. Do not heat your water unnecessarily and improve the efficiency of your water heater when possible. Water conservation is something we all need to participate in.
There are many other energy saving tips and tricks that can save you money and help save the environment. The basic ones were just outlined in this article. There are many web sites that give detailed information on how to achieve home efficiency. Also, be aware of government grants and tax breaks as well as promotions from your utility companies for any energy efficient initiative you may want to undertake in your home.
We would like you to share some of your ideas on how we can all do are part? Or share some of the things you are doing. We would like to hear them. Thank you