13 Simple Steps to Save Energy Costs…And Help Out the Planet
Keeping fuel emissions down helps us all out, and safeguards the planet for generations to come. How does it do that? Specifically, by keeping the ozone layer from being further polluted
The ozone layer is what protects us from the sun’s rays. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, ozone depletion is caused by: “…the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS), used widely as refrigerants, insulating foams, and solvents.”
Types of Energy
Let’s break down the types of energy available to us today.
We have electric, fossil fuel-mineral fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas–and the “greener” (renewable) versions of power, such as wind and sun.
Most of what we use is not “green” or renewable, so it’s particularly important that we cut back on usage.
Getting Your Home Energy Wise
Here are 13 easy ways that power and light companies and firms concerned with conservation efforts recommend we improve our home’s efficiency.
Refrigerators
The Alliance to Save Energy says that if we used the most energy efficient refrigerators, electricity savings would eliminate the need for about thirty power plants. Here is what else can be done to keep your refrigerator energy compliant:
1. Keep your refrigerator away from heating appliances like the oven, and dishwasher. Direct exposure to heat will make its motor work harder.
2. Ensure that the compartments are full, to increase efficiency. (Place a couple of jugs of water in the bottom compartment, and a bag of ice cubs in the freezer, to “fool” the refrigerator into thinking its full. It’ll work less hard.)
3. Switch to manual defrosting, which uses 36% less energy than automatic defrost mechanisms.
4. Unplug the refrigerator and clean the condenser cords with a vacuum or a brush. (They’re usually in the back or at the bottom of the unit.)
Lighting
Incandescent is old news. In fact, it was what lit society back in the 1800’s.
In 1878, a full year before our Edison, an Englishman invented the bulb. Of course, Edison soon did some more work on it, and put out the first commercially viable bulb.
Time for Something Better
Efficiency-wise, we’ve outgrown the incandescent bulb. Energy experts agree that florescent lights are the way to go. Why?
Like fluorescent lights, conventional incandescent light bulbs also emit a good bit of ultraviolet light, but they do not convert any of it to visible light. A fluorescent lamp, on the other hand, puts this invisible light to work.
Incandescent lamps also lose more energy through heat emission than do fluorescent lamps.
Fluorescent Lamp More Energy Efficient
A typical fluorescent lamp is four to six times more efficient than an incandescent lamp.
Despite this, folks go for the standard incandescent lights in the home, since they emit a “warmer” light — a light with more red and less blue.
If you can tolerate the cooler light, the fluorescent lamp is the way to go.
Lighting Tips
Here’s what you can do:
5. Replace old, incandescent lamps to fluorescent lights, or the newer, more energy efficient models.
6. Whichever light system you use, use energy timers or light controls to save energy. Outdoors, motion detectors can automatically turn off lights, while providing levels of high security as needed.
7. Instead of overhead lighting that covers mass areas of your home, switch to “task” lighting, or just switching light bulbs on over whatever project you are involved in.
Cooling
Now, about that wonderful luxury known as the air conditioner:
8. If you don’t have central air, locate your air conditioning unit in the shadiest part of the house. If you’re a/c has to work overtime, it uses more power.
9. Keep shrubbery away from the a/c unit, since the foliage might cover the vents, which would interfere with its operation.
10. Check your a/c’s filter once a month. If you can’t see through it, while holding it up to the light, get a new one.
Your House Can Be 150 Degrees…In The Attic!
11. On hot days, the temperature of your attic can reach up to 150 degrees. Use a fan up there, to lower the temperature. This could reduce your house’s temperature by a comfortable amount!
12. You can save up to 3% of cooling costs for every degree you turn your thermostat up, in the summer. Raising it from 73 to 78 means a savings of a whopping 15% in cooling costs!
Seal Your House
Give your home a high R-value! The greater the R value means the greater the insulation power. Don’t overlook the importance of sealing.
13. Seal your house tightly, and ventilate in a controlled way.
According to the FCIC’s “Elements of an Energy Efficient House”, controlled ventilation reduces moisture accumulation and reduces structural damage.
And an energy-efficient house reduces the danger of back drafts from natural ventilation.
If you make at least a few of the above-mentioned changes, your home will be energy efficient…and you’ll help make a difference for generations to come.
