Easy Energy Saving

With eco-friendly options for nearly every item in the home now, it’s easy to save energy. Chances are, you don’t need to purchase every new gadget to be a little more energy conscious. In fact, it all starts with just thinking about and realizing how much energy your household uses. Where do you spend the most energy? The washer and dryer? The dishwasher? Lights? Figure out the problem areas, and find the best fit solution. If your main problem is the washer and dryer, maybe you invest in an energy-efficient model, or start drying your clothes on a clothesline instead. If your energy is most used in the kitchen then narrow it down to which appliances. If the oven is the culprit, make it a habit to stop opening the oven door while baking something, as it drops the temperature significantly and uses energy to heat it back up. Start cooking multiple items in the oven, instead of one at a time, if possible. With an electric oven, you can turn it off about 10 minutes before cooking time is over as it will maintain its heat. If the dishwasher is causing the problem, be sure to only run it when you have a full load. By focusing on where you use the most energy in your home, you can quickly reduce the amount you’re using.

Perhaps you’ve figured out how to save a little energy in your home. But can you imagine trying to make things eco-friendly in a house much, much bigger than yours? In 2008, the world was introduced to the first billion-dollar home, in Mumbai, India. It is owned, and was created, by the Ambani family. The custom home stands 27 stories tall and cost around 2 billion dollars. The tower of a home stands 550 feet high and has 400,000 square feet of space to fill. The home includes six stories of parking lots, nine elevators, a ballroom, entertainment stages, a movie theatre, an ice room, and green rooms. When you consider how much your energy bill is, compared to the size of your home, can you imagine multiplying that by 400, or even more? If you’re ever in a position to build a new home, make sure to think about the green options available, so you can enjoy space and comfort, but save some energy, too.

You don’t have to go completely off the grid to save money on your electric bill. Follow these five easy steps to reduce your carbon footprint and save a little money. Use negawatts. A negawatt is any watt of electricity you don’t use. So, turn off the lights when you leave a room and unplug your electronics when you’re through with them. Take a look at your appliances. If you’ve got an extra fridge or a freezer running, but isn’t serving much use, it could be costing you at least $200 each year. If you’re not storing food in it, save some money and the planet by unplugging it. If you’re looking to get rid of an old appliance, check with your local utility company for ways to recycle it. Get fashionable. It’s important to dress appropriately for the weather. In the winter, put on a sweater and set the thermostat a notch lower than normal. In the summer, only use the air conditioning when you really need it. By making these small changes, you can really save some money. Consider your options. If your home has a forced air furnace, make sure you check out the filter once a month, especially during the heading season. If it looks dark and clogged, replace it. A clogged filter makes the furnace works harder than it needs to. Use the sun. Use your curtains, or window coverings, to your advantage. On hot summer days, close them to cool your home. If winters are cold, open the curtains to let the sunlight warm your home. You can also invest in insulated curtains to keep cold air out, and warm air inside, where you want it. By following these five simple tips, you can give our planet, and your wallet, a break.