Going green at home is one way to ensure that you are not wasting energy and not wasting money while preserving the environment. These habits not only benefit you and your family, but future generations as well. A great place to start is with energy saving devices and there are many to choose from. Not all products are created equal, so a good way to differentiate energy efficient devices and appliances is by looking for ENERGY STAR labels. These products meet a higher set of energy saving standards set by the EPAInvest In Your Home Appliances
According to the US Department of Energy, appliances use about 13% of your household energy. The biggest culprits are refrigerators as well as clothes washers and dryers. If you live in warmer climates, you most likely notice how electricity consumption increases during the summer. This is due to the air conditioner, along with other cooling devices, is usually at work 24/7, hence, the higher electricity bill. A truly energy efficient home may require you to make some sacrifices and implement lifestyle changes. If the heat is bearable, you can try using natural air or an electric powered fan instead of turning on the air conditioner. Whenever you are not using a room, turning off the light will help in conserving energy as well. The same goes for other appliances that are not in use. Try to remember to turn them off as often as possible. Make your family aware of these green habits so that they may also do their part.
Use Thermostats and Monitors
Using a programmable thermostat will help you cool or heat your home during the hours you are home and not during the hours you are away. You can also limit the amount of hot water that you heat by turning down your water heater to closely reflect your consumption. Both thermostat and water heater should be turned off when you go on vacation to eliminate wasted energy.
Insulate
Insulation material is another method towards making your home green. This will help contain cool air in the house whenever the season is hot and warm air when the season is cool. Doing this will lessen the burden on your heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) and will help lower your energy consumption. There will always be a need for you to ask the question of how to reduce energy consumption at home. These eco friendly tips are only a few of the myriads of ways that you can make your home green. Always remember that when you care for the environment, you care for your family and for future generations as well.
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
You can also switch from incandescent light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CLFs) or Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). These lights consume less energy than the standard incandescents. Try to use lights with dimmers so that you may control the intensity of the light. Low intensity light settings mean diminished use of electricity. To ensure proper use and longevity of the dimmed bulbs, choose dimmable options.
