With the New Year now begun, it is time to actually put in the work and make those resolutions a reality! For many of us, embracing a healthier lifestyle tops our 2016 New Year’s resolution list, but as we are cutting back on junk food and living cleaner and healthier while limiting our calorie intake – it is a great time to make a commitment to making the EARTH a healthier place and reduce our energy consumption as well. And saving you money isn’t a bad side effect!
Turn it Off. Let’s start simple. The quickest, easiest and most effective way to reduce your energy usage is simple – use less energy. Get in the habit of turning off the light when you leave the room. If you have a hard time remembering, set your lights to timers to shut off at night or during the hours you are away during the day. Shorten your showers if possible – this will not only save you energy by not needing to heat as much water, it will also save you money on your water bill! Double bonus! Change your thermostat. In the winter, bump it down a few degrees. If you are uncomfortable, enjoy luxuriating in a thick furry robe and soft slippers while you are at home – or invest in some flannel pajamas. Or a nice throw blanket! Finding a way to stay cozy is actually fun! In the summer, raise the setting a few degrees. Running a ceiling fan or oscillating fan to improve circulation is an easy way to maximize the effectiveness of costly air conditioning. Layers can easily be removed when you get home to keep you comfortable while saving you money on your electrical bill. Reduce heat created by cooking when possible to keep your system from struggling to maintain a cool temperature – BBQ or use a slow cooker in the garage to avoid heating your home by running the oven.
Home Improvements. If you have a little more time to plan, there are plenty of ways to make your home more energy efficient. They range in cost from $40 or less to plant some trees for shade in the Summer to lower your air conditioning usage, to thousands of dollars for a new solar panel installation. As mentioned, a simple and cost effective way to help insulate your home against the elements is with trees and foliage. Planting trees and large shrubbery can provide shade in the summer and also a wind break in the winter, keeping your home a more moderate temperature and reducing the need for running costly appliances such as your heater or air conditioner. Many local energy providers even have free shade tree programs or offer discounts or other incentives for planting trees. Check with your local agency. Another way to reduce your electrical needs is to replace old or broken windows with energy efficient dual pane windows in older homes. Older homes tend to have single pane windows which are not very effective at keeping the inside climate of your home insulated from the outside weather. They allow the cold in during the winter and the heat during the Summer. By replacing any single pane or cracked/damaged windows with new dual pane windows, you can reduce your electrical costs by $126-465 a year. You can also consider replacing older appliances with newer, more energy efficient versions. For example: Refrigerator, washer/dryer, HVAC Unit, furnace, dish washer, water heater, ceiling fans and light bulbs. By changing these items out for more electrically friendly energy efficient varieties, you could save as much as $425 or more per year.
Clean Power. If you are really ready to commit to keeping our world healthier and saving on your monthly utility bills (go YOU!) – consider changing the source of your energy. For many people who live in sunny climates, solar energy is readily available and less expensive than traditional energy sources. While costly to install initially, many areas offer rebates or other incentives to customers who are willing to make the change and with the energy you will be saving, the change will pay for itself over time. Additionally, loans and grants are often available for solar energy improvements on your home, so the expense can be broken down into manageable monthly payments.
If you follow these simple guidelines, you can easily honor your resolution to be more energy-healthy in 2016!
