Saving energy, whether at home, work, or school, is easier than you think with these five emission-reducing tips. For the most part, all it takes is a little forethought and common sense. The benefits are varied and worth it – from having a hot lunch ready in seconds to the refreshing smell of fresh air on your clothes!
1. Hug the Water Heater
Wrapping water heaters with insulation blankets reduces energy costs.
1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide can be saved each year with this simple action. Another 550 pounds can be saved by setting the thermostat no higher than 48 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).
2. Eliminate the Vampires
Unplug idle appliances and electronic devices.
The average household can save several hundred dollars a year just by unplugging unused electrical appliances and devices, such as cell phone chargers and kitchen appliances. Idle appliances, on average, consume over 1,000 kilowatt hours of energy per household per year.
3. Summer Breezes
Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible.
Hang-drying clothes can save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide for 6 months out of the year. Furthermore, washing clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot saves over 500 pounds of CO2 in a year.
4. Nuke It!
Microwaves can be more energy-efficient than electric ovens.
Microwaves are between 3.5 and 4.8 times more energy efficient than traditional electric ovens. However, it is important to keep the microwave clean to maximize its efficiency.
5. On the Bright Side
Switch to compact fluorescent lighting.
Compact fluorescent lights (CFL) use ¼ the energy and last up to 10 times as long as standard incandescent lights. LED (Light-emitting diode) lights are even more energy efficient. For extra credit, (carefully) pack an extra CFL bulb to use at the library study desk.
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In the context of today’s world, ‘consuming’ and ‘balance’ in the same sentence seems to be an oxymoron.
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