By now, many people know that energy efficiency has many benefits. Reducing consumption can not only help the environment but also keep money in your wallet. If you’re looking for new ways to make your home more environmentally friendly, here’s five quick ideas to begin with.
- Turn off all lights and electronics in unoccupied rooms. Let’s start simple – turn off the lights! One of the easiest ways to cut down on your energy bill each month is to make sure all lights and unused appliances are off when no one’s in the room. That means all blow dryers, curling irons, lamps, computers and fans.
- Replace your old light bulbs with ones that are more energy efficient. Something that has been mentioned in this blog before but is very important is lighting. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) are 75 percent more efficient than other forms of lighting. You can purchase CFLs at your local home improvement store.
- Only run your washer, dryer and dishwasher when full. The next time laundry day rolls around, keep this tip in mind: by washing your clothes and dishes with full loads only, you save on energy, water and detergent. If it’s time to replace any of your washing appliances, be sure to look into Energy STAR products.
- Seal and insulate your home. By sealing and insulating your home, you can save on heating and cooling costs. Sealing your home can prevent leaks and drafts. Insulating your home can block heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer while saving you money
- Purchase a hot water insulation kit. Hot water insulation kits are recommended by Energy STAR to save on water heating costs. You can find one at your local home improvement or hardware store.
Jennifer Griffin, Contributing Writer and Public Relations, GreeningDetroit.com
Jennifer is pursuing a degree in Journalism and English from Wayne State University, and she is also a Contributing Writer for The South End.
