16 Tips to save energy comfortably
Most of our energy use comes from fossil fuels like petroleum and coal that provide electricity and gas to power our growing energy needs. These resources are non-renewable which means that we will eventually run out.
Conserving energy not only helps to conserve resources but also translates into financial savings. When we drive our cars, wash our hands and turn lights on, we usually don't stop to assess the amount of resources we are using. We also dont stop to think that we are depleting resources that are not boundless.
Whenever you save energy, you not only save money, you also reduce the demand for such fossil fuels as coal, oil, and natural gas. Less burning of fossil fuels also means lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary contributor to global warming, and other pollutants.
By conserving energy, we are achieving the following goals:
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Avoid Resource Depletion : By using these resources in excess, they are going to deplete one day and will take another millions of years to form again.
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Save Money : Usage of fluorescent bulbs , solar electricity may cost expensive initially but prove to be cost-effective in the long run. Many energy efficiency and conservation measures are better investments than the stock market or bank interest.
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Reduce carbon-dioxide : If Non-Renewable resources are used up to the limit they may also help in reducing the carbon-dioxide. Pollution from nuclear and coal power plants cause diseases like asthma, emphysema etc.
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Prevent alimate Change : Due to increase int the rate of these resources it also affect the climate greatly, Drought, Severe storms, floods, land loss, erosion of soil and heat deaths are few examples of climate change.
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Prevent azone Layer Depletion : Ozone layer in the atmosphere protect us from ultraviolet rays from reaching the earth thus, making life on the earth possible.
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Prevent adverse affect on humans and the environment : Extraction of Uranium and Coal from beneath the earth cause huge affect to the lives of cola miners. These people have high cancer death rates. They also harm the environment and agricultural lands.
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Prevent acid Rain : Coal power plants and vehicles emit sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrous oxides (NOx). These travel beyond the local area and are harmful to the health throughout whole regions. When SO2/NOx and water vapor mix under certain conditions, sulfuric acid and nitric acid, know as acid rain, are formed. This is very harmful to the lungs. It kills fish in lakes, corrodes property (buildings, monuments, cars), harms the soil (releasing toxins), and harms trees and crops.
Today's wastage is tomorrow's shortage.
1 Lighting
Use dimmable lighting. Better yet, use control sensors that automatically dim the lights to ambient conditions. And ofcourse, shut off the lights when not in use.
2 Heating and cooling
68 degrees F. when at home, 55 degrees F. at night. Sweater during the day, and extra layer of blanket during the night.
3 Fridge/freezer
Load up the freezer because a crowded freezer is more energy efficient that a sparse one.
4 Dishwasher
Buy energy efficient ones which automatically shut off after the rinse cycle.
5 Washing machine
Wash only full loads, less often, in cold water. Use front loaded machines which are more efficient in cleaning with the help of gravity.
6 Electronics
Shop for energy-efficient, all-in-one electronics. Use power strips to shut down all of your electronics when not in use. Use sleep modes, and energy efficient settings on your devices.
7 Turn down you water heater
Purchase energy-efficient, tank-less, or instantaneous water heater, which uses energy only when hot water is needed.
8 Stove and oven
Avoid pre-heating when possible, group baking tasks, use a slow cooker and an electric kettle. Plan your meals in advance and defrost naturally. Cut food into small pieces.
9 No incandescents, only cfls
CFLs use much lesser energy to provide with the same bright light that you are used to. Plus they last way longer.
10 Make extra food
Cooking a little bit of extra food in a cooking session creates leftovers that you can use at a later meal, thereby reducing kitchen energy usage.
11 Install weather stripping
Properly sealed doors and windows reduce heating and cooling costs.
12 Shut doors and close curtains
Reduce heating and cooling costs by shutting off doors and closing curtains when possible.
13 Run your fridge efficiently
Ensure door seal is tight. The ideal temperature is 4-5 degrees and for the freezer it is 15-18 degrees.
14 Stop standby power waste
Unplugging chargers and adapters from the wall outlets when the devices are not in use can reduce energy costs by 10%.
15 Wash clothes in cold water
Save about $120 per year with a cold laundry.
16 Insulate your roof
Properly installed and insulated ceilings can reduce energy consumption.
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