The Climate Theory suggests the earth will experience extreme weather events, as levels of greenhouse gases increase. Hurricane Sandy pummeled the east coast, catapulting the Jet Star rollercoaster from Seaside Heights New Jersey, into the Atlantic Ocean. Venice Italy has been flooded for a third of the year, and here locally in Salt Lake City, June brought record breaking temperatures, hitting a high of 105 degrees, two days in a row.
If that’s not enough to shock you into reducing your carbon footprint, maybe saving money on your power bill will.
You can take a few simple steps to reduce your carbon footprint, by limiting the amount of carbon dioxide everyday activities produce. The easiest way is to start at home.
Electronics
Turning off your electronics instead of leaving them on standby mode saves energy, but electronics still use power, when they’re plugged in. You can unplug them after each use, or use a surge protector.
Surge protectors can be used for multiple devices in the same area. When your electronics aren’t in use, turning off the surge protector will save energy. Smart power strips are available, for as low as $30. Smart Strips automatically cut off power, when you turn off your devices.
Leaving electronics on is similar to leaving a faucet running. You won’t hear the rushing water, but you’ll be wasting the same amount of energy.
The use of televisions accounts for four percent of the energy consumed in America, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. You can still reduce the amount of energy you use, while watching TV.
The light output of TV’s, are responsible for most of their energy use. You can dim the picture by turning down the backlight, or activating the power-saving setting. Watching a dimmer picture will conserve energy.
Furnaces and lighting
When furnace filters get clogged with dirt and grime, they don’t work efficiently. Dirty filters wreak havoc on your health, the environment and the cash in your wallet. Changing or washing filters every thirty to sixty days, allow you to get the most efficiency from your furnace.
Replacement filters are often sold in discounted quantity packs, but washable filters are environmentally friendly, because they last longer. The initial cost of a washable filter is more than a replacement filter, but the savings add up.
According to energy.gov, fifteen percent of your household energy use is consumed by lighting. You can reduce that amount of energy by using compact fluorescent bulbs, or LED lights.
Fluorescent lights may have a bad rap for making people look unattractive, but modern compact fluorescent lights are energy efficient. They use seventy-five percent less energy, last up to six times longer and produce less heat than traditional incandescent lights.
One of the concerns regarding compact fluorescent lights is the small amount of mercury they contain. If that’s something that’s troublesome to you, try an LED light.
The technology of LED lighting is developing rapidly. They are now available for household use. The initial cost of LED lights is more expensive than incandescent, and compact fluorescent lights, but they last longer and are more durable.
LED lights remain cool, traditional incandescent lights and compact fluorescent lights emit heat. By using LED lights you can limit the amount of heat in your house, and save on the cost of air conditioning.
According to energy.gov, the use of LED lights has the largest potential impact on energy conservation in the United States.
You can reduce your carbon footprint and your power bill, by following these suggested energy conservation tips.
