Our energy usage is often one of the facets of our environmental footprint that we do not think about. After all, we all consume energy and many of the activities that we do that utilize energy are so ingrained into our lives that efficiency may not cross our minds. Over the years, Stephen Troese Jr. has found that, not only is conserving energy easy to do, but it also goes a long way towards living a more environmentally friendly life. In this article, Stephen Troese Jr. provides a short list of simple ways to conserve energy throughout your home.
Use LED Light Bulbs
Energy efficient light bulbs are a great way to save energy and money in your home. This is due to the fact that LED bulbs have greater efficiency than incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs also have a longer life than alternatives and are more durable, making them less prone to burning out. While LED light bulbs typically have a higher upfront cost, Stephen Troese Jr. maintains that they can save as much as $100 over their lifespan. Remember that turning lights in your house off when you are not in the room are also a quick and easy way to conserve energy additional energy.
Turn Off Electronics When Not in Use
One of the simplest, yet frequently overlooked, ways to conserve energy is to power down electronics such as televisions, videogame systems, and computers when not in use. Stephen Troese Jr. notes that this is because, while leaving electronics on may only consume small amounts of energy at a time, people often leave many electronics on at once and that tends to add up faster than we realize. The simple practice of only turning electronics on when needed and shutting them down when leaving the room not only makes you much more environmentally responsible, but saves money as well.
Use Windows Wisely
One way that Stephen Troese Jr. utilizes to conserve energy is using his windows creatively. For example, he finds that opening the blinds during particularly sunny days are a great way to reduce the need for turning many lights on throughout his home. Opening blinds on sunny days in the winter are a great way to get some residual heat as well, which can be particularly useful on days where it is not quite cold enough to demand cranking up the heat. The opposite can be done on days in the beginning of summer, where closing the blinds through the sunniest points of the day can go a long way towards lowering the heat in your home and save both money and energy by lowering the need for AC.