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Green living doesn’t have to be a chore. Small changes can lead to big results in the long run. There are so many small things you can do every day to make a difference when it comes to the environment. Even if you live in an apartment, there are many creative ways you can cut back on energy usage and help save the planet at the same time. Reducing your carbon footprint is not just about what you eat and how much you exercise. It’s also about reducing your energy usage as much as possible wherever possible. There are plenty of ways to do this without sacrificing your quality of life or spending lots of money on eco-friendly appliances that break after six months of use. Here are some easy ways you can conserve energy in your own home, no matter how small the space:
Turn the temperature down
As uncomfortable as it may be, reducing the temperature of your thermostat can save you a lot of money over the long term. Simply turning the thermostat down by two degrees can reduce your electricity bill by 10%. If you can get used to this change, it can lead to huge savings. Try setting a rule for yourself where you only turn the air conditioning or heat on when you need it, and cutting the rest of the time. This will help reduce your energy usage and help you save money on your monthly bills. And it’s not just your heating and cooling costs that should be considered. Your fridge, kitchen appliances, and electronics also use a lot of energy. Keeping these items at a lower temperature will help you reduce your energy usage and your bills as well.
Install motion-sensing lights
Motion-sensing lights can be a great way to conserve energy in your home. They help to reduce the amount of power your lights use by only lighting up when and where they are needed. You can also use automatic shutters for your windows to help reduce the amount of power your lights use. This is a great way to save energy, as well as being more secure. If you have outdoor lights, consider investing in LED bulbs to reduce your power usage even more. If you’re able, try to install solar panels on your home. While this might not be the ideal situation for everyone, it’s a great way to reduce energy costs and create a completely sustainable home.
Go CFL, LED or solar for your devices
Old appliances and electronics can use a lot of energy. You might not be able to change every single item in your home, but it’s worth checking the energy usage of every device you have in your home. If you can’t find the energy rating on the device, you can always look up the information online. If you have an old refrigerator in your home, consider replacing it with a more eco-friendly option. New fridges are much more energy efficient than older models. The same is true for almost every other appliance in your home. You might also want to consider buying solar panels for your roof. They don’t have to be huge, and they can provide more than enough energy to power your home.
Make your windows more energy efficient
Sometimes the small, seemingly insignificant things can make the biggest difference. One of the best ways to conserve energy in your home is by changing the windows in your property. It might sound expensive, but it’s actually an incredibly cost-effective way to reduce your energy usage and bills. You can choose between double-pane or triple-pane windows. Just remember to change the seals on the window frames to avoid any leaks. You can also look into getting energy-efficient curtains. This can help to reduce the amount of energy your windows are losing, helping you to save even more money on your bills. You can also install storm shutters to help reduce your energy usage in the summer months. Storm shutters prevent the sun’s rays from coming into your home, helping to reduce your energy usage.
Get an energy audit and seal up your home’s leaks
An energy audit is a great way to see where your home is losing energy. The person performing the audit will check your ducts, walls, and other parts of your home to see where there are leaks that are costing you money. You can also get an energy audit online. There are websites and apps that can help you identify where your home is losing energy and ways to stop it from happening. This can help you save money on your electricity bill every month and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. An audit and seal of your home’s leaks will help you reduce your energy usage and lower your bills. It’s worth the cost and effort to make the changes, and they can last for years to come.
Don’t use your oven as a heater
If you have a gas oven, then you may be turning it on every now and again to warm up your home. This is a bad idea, as ovens are not designed to increase the temperature of a room. They put off lots of harmful chemicals while they’re operating, and they’re not particularly energy efficient. If you want to warm up your home, try using a space heater. They’re much safer than an oven and will cost you much less in electricity. They’re also designed to warm up a room with minimal effort, so they can help you save energy for longer. If you want to warm up your home, don’t turn on your oven. It’s not worth the money. Try a space heater instead. It’s safer and cheaper.
Replace the insulation in your home
If you’re living in an older property, there’s a good chance that it doesn’t have great insulation. This can cause it to lose a lot of heat in the winter months, meaning you have to use your heating system much more. New insulation is relatively cheap and easy to install. It’s worth the money and effort to install insulation in your home. In some cases, it might even be worth hiring a contractor to come in and install new insulation. It’s important to do this before winter arrives, so you can see the benefits right away. It can also help you qualify for government rebates and funding that can reduce the cost of installation