We talk a lot about how businesses can start saving energy and resources by retrofitting their lighting systems. This can seem like a humongous project if you aren’t a business owner, or if you aren’t the person at your company who is responsible for finding this type of savings opportunity. Today’s blog is for you: Great Energy Saving Tips You Can Use Today. Some of them you can even use RIGHT NOW. They are all very simple, so simple; you may have just overlooked the potential for energy savings. If you are already following some of these tips, Congratulations! You’re already an energy saver!
1 Switch all of your light bulbs to energy efficient models like CFL (compact fluorescent) or LED. Or just switch the five you use the most. Energy Star confirms, “By replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR, you can save $70 each year.”
2 Make a habit to turn off lights when you leave a room. It’s probably something you’ve been taught your entire life, but if you (or the kids) have a hard time making this habit stick, consider using an occupancy sensor to turn lights off when you aren’t using them. Read more about lighting control and occupancy sensors.
3 Open your curtains & enjoy natural light whenever you can. It doesn’t get any easier than this!
4 On the flip-side, during colder months close your curtains at night to keep heat in. When you open them again during the daytime you benefit from the natural light (#3), but it will also help to warm up your space.
5 Avoid “energy vampires” by completely powering down your computer and other electronics at night or any time they will be unused for a longer period of time. In sleep or hibernate mode, your electronics are just standing by and still draw energy. Read more about Energy Vampires.
6 Time to go RETRO. Turn off the dryer, and line dry your laundry. Not only will the sunshine help keep your whites whiter, but your sheets and shirts are going to smell great like the fresh air you dried them in. Not only do you save the gas or electricity used in heating up your dryer to dry your laundry, but you also keep your home cooler during hot summer months by line drying. This simple chore could even help cut your cooling bill!
7 Find out if your utility company offers green power options such as: wind, hydro, landfill gas, or biofuel power. Then call them today and make the switch. Use this resource to find your utility.
The use of electricity is a significant source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and every household has the potential to reduce energy usage. Buying green power can help reduce your environmental impact while also providing valuable benefits:
- Avoid carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
- Reduce some types of air pollution
- Hedge against future electricity price increases
What other energy-saving steps are you taking at home or at work to promote sustainability?