Green Living and Energy Consumption
If you’re trying to make the switch to a greener lifestyle, you’re probably already aware that energy consumption is one of the biggies. You might reduce some of it by learning to walk more places instead of drive, or take a bicycle or transit instead of a car, but what about the energy usage in your home? Apart from turning off a few lights, is there much else you can really do, given the way homes are constructed?
Actually, there is. There is a wide range of possibilities, from the very small to the huge, and you’re likely to find yourself somewhere on the continuum between the two. Let’s start with the small things, and work our way up to the bigger choices you might make.
First, yes, turn out the lights when you’re not using them. In fact, you might want to switch away from the currently standard incandescent light bulbs to the compact fluorescent bulbs. While they are more expensive, they last a long time and use a lot less energy while they’re on, so in the long run you would be saving both energy and money. But light bulbs aren’t the only things you should turn off when you don’t need them. Appliances and electronics that stay constantly plugged in also drain energy, slowly but surely. If you plug several at once into a power strip, you can turn them all off with one flick of a switch.
Heating and cooling your place is another big energy suck. If you live in a hot region or are going through a summer heat wave, even turning your air conditioning down by a degree or two can save surprising amounts of energy. Switching to electric desk or ceiling fans instead of air conditioners, if you can tolerate going without, saves even more energy. In the winter, heat your place by a degree or two less, wear warmer clothes, and turn the temperature down further at night.
And don’t forget that windows make a big difference in the energy used for heating and cooling. If you can afford it (especially in an area where you can get tax credits), install energy efficient windows. But you can also help by pulling curtains over sunny windows during the day, and opening the windows at night to allow the cool air to bring the temperature down inside.
The next type of step in reducing your energy use is a leap into the larger end of the spectrum: buying energy efficient appliances and electronics. They are out there, and require some research, but if you’re thinking long term, you can start making a difference right away and consider the expense an investment in the future. You might also start switching, gradually, to alternate energy sources. It’s possible to buy solar panels on a minor scale, to start powering things like rechargeable phone and camera batteries, as well as things like small appliances and fans. You can work your way up slowly, getting one solar panel at a time and switching more things to that power, or you can take advantage of tax breaks in some areas and go for the whole switch at once. You can even buy miniature windmills for your yard or a corner of your house, to start generating another form of power.
These ideas are really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to pulling down your energy usage. From switching off the lights to installing solar panels on the east side of your home, you can take things in small steps or do a big renovation. You can always find ways to fulfill your commitment to living green and reducing your use of energy.
