Sustainable Living begins at Home
Protecting the environment from the dangerous effects of global warming is something that can be easily done if you adopt a green approach in your own home by saving energy and reduce the amounts of greenhouse gases that are created from your home. You can even save money when you are preventing global warming at home.
Apart from switching off lights when you leave a room, replacing the incandescent light bulbs in your house when they need replacing, with the new energy saving long life bulbs goes a long way to reducing your energy consuption
- Turn off your lights when they are not required.
- Choose energy efficient compact fluorescent globes. They last 6-10 times longer and use 80% less energy than standard globes.By using just one 15 watt compact fluorescent bulb instead of a 75 watt standard bulb, you can save around $10 per year on your energy bill.
- Use energy efficient fluorescent lamps in rooms where light is required for longer periods, such as kitchens and living areas.
- Don’t leave outdoor security lights on all night or during the day – consider installing a timer or sensor.
- Avoid having several lights activated by one switch. Use separate switches for each light.
- Remember to make the most of your natural light, particularly from north facing windows. Consider skylights for the kitchen and bathroom.
- Keep lights and fittings clean. Dust on lamps and reflectors mean less light and less energy efficiency.
Your incandescent light bulbs will generate more energy and create more greenhouse gases than that of newer fluorescent bulbs. In fact, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency if everyone in the country changed five light bulbs in their homes enough greenhouse gases created by about ten million cars will be prevented. You can also save money because less energy is used and the bulbs will last longer.
Don’t automatically reach for the switch to turn up heating – try reaching for a jumper instead. Wearing warmer clothes or throwing an extra blanket on the bed or the lounge can keep heating costs down. Dressing warmly even when inside during the cooler months is an easy way to slash heating costs Instead of setting temperatures to extremes – try keeping the thermostat at a median temperature all year round. The temperature of a heated room in winter should remain between 18 and 21 degrees. If the room is at this temperature and you are still cold put on another jumper. For every degree above 21 degrees that you program a heater, it adds roughly 10 per cent extra to your heating costs.
Overheating your home in winter can increase electricity and gas bills. A lot of heat can be lost through windows so it is important when heating to cover windows by closing blinds or curtains. Using high efficiency models for heaters and coolers can help in your home. Not only can they reduce energy and greenhouse gases but you will also be able to save money on your energy bills.
Using alternative energy sources in your home should be considered. Solar panels for your home may be an option for generating your own energy – there may even be some tax breaks for you if you use renewable energy sources at your home. Be sure to check what applies to your situation.
Using the right insulation for your home is essential. Windows that are EnergyStar approved should be used, and you should look for air ducts in your home to insulate. You can get more details about what you will need to get with a home energy auditor.
Consider replacing old expensive-to-run appliances and look for new appliances with high energy star ratings. Energy efficient whitegoods can save up to $1,400 and prevent up to 14 tonnes of greenhouse gas from being emitted into the environment over a ten-year product life span. The more star ratings, the more energy efficient the appliance and the lower the running costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Refrigerators account for a large portion of household energy use because they run 24 hrs/day, seven days a week. Ensuring your fridge is running efficiently can make a big difference on your bills.
A half-filled dishwasher uses the same amount of energy as a full load, so fill it to capacity before each wash cycle.
Microwaves, electric frypans or pressure cookers are much more energy efficient than using the oven.
- Fit a AAA-rated low flow showerhead and save up to $100 per year off your energy and water bills.
- Natural gas high efficiency water heaters produce around two-thirds lower greenhouse emissions than electric heaters and can save you hundreds of dollars in energy bills over the lifetime of the system.
- Use the sun’s energy to heat water. A solar hot water system can reduce your household hot water bill by around 65%. Solar hot water systems also conserve our natural resources and the environment.
- Have a short shower as they use around half the amount of hot water as a bath.
- Turn the power off on your hot water system if you are going away for an extended period.
- Fix leaking taps. A leaking tap can waste hundreds of litres of water every month.
- A leaking pressure relief valve (on the side of the hot water tank) can waste hundreds of litres of hot water. Check it regularly.
- Use cold water in the laundry whenever possible.
- If possible, when installing a new hot water system try to locate it close to your bathroom, kitchen and laundry so less heat is lost in the pipework. Wrap the pipework in insulation to minimise heat losses further.
Using items responsibly in the home is the last of the things to do. Recycling your papers, plastics and other recyclable materials is essential. If you have a lawnmower you should make sure it is a mulching one that will reduce grass clippings. In fact, using a push mower can be a better option because it creates no greenhouse gases. Also, composting your food and yard trash is great in that it helps to reduce garbage that is sent to landfills. You can find a compost bin for your backyard at a local hardware store.
By adopting a sustainable lifestyle you attempt to reduce the use of the Earth’s natural resources and minimize your “ecological footprints” hoping to to preserve the Earth for future generations of human beings and other life.
