In the past couple of years, it became evident that we can’t keep ignoring the importance of changing our lifestyles to more nature-friendly ways, as the planet is almost dying.
We are currently witnessing major climate and environmental changes that resulted from our old ways of living. The whole world is experiencing extreme weather changes, and in some areas, the changes are destructive, like tsunamis and hurricanes. With all these, it seems that planet Earth is giving its Ultimatum.
Many countries are working towards switching to renewable energy, and soon enough, the world will stop using fossil fuels.
If people started to make small changes in their daily lives, there would be a major positive effect on the environment. Going green and eco-friendly will not only save the planet but will save you a lot of money too, so it is about time that we make some changes in our energy consumption. This article will provide you with some tips on saving money on energy and staying nature friendly.
Wind Turbines And Solar Energy
Investing in wind turbines or solar panels will save you money in the long run. Nowadays, many countries are using wind turbines to generate energy. Finland is a very good example, as wind power generation in Finland increased in 2020.
This surprisingly resulted in turning the electricity exchange price negative! Wind turbines are perfect for generating renewable and clean energy in your house. As for solar energy, in the United States, the number of people who have switched to it has increased since 2008. You just need to figure out how much energy your house consumes and install solar panels accordingly.
Cooling And Heating Naturally
During winter, to lock the heat in the house, keep all windows and doors tightly shut all the time. Open the curtains or blinds to let the daylight in. This way, you won’t need to turn the lights on during the day. On the other hand, when it is summer, open the windows and let the fresh breeze enter your house from different directions before the heat gets really strong.
Close all curtains and blinds to avoid heating up your house. However, these methods might not be applicable in some countries where the summer is unbearably hot as the Gulf countries or freezing cold countries like Russia.
Take Advantage Of The Off Hours
Electric companies charge more between 4 PM to 9 PM. On the other hand, they charge less late at night and early in the morning. So, make use of the off hours and use appliances that consume more power, like dishwashers and washing machines. Remember that the off hours differ according to your location, so find out when the peak hours are where you live and avoid using major home appliances during that time.
Unplug Appliances Not In Use
Most of us keep almost all our appliances and chargers plugged on the power strip all the time, which costs us more money than we think it does. Moreover, we consume more non-renewable energy.
That said, it is recommended that you unplug any appliances and chargers when not in use or right after you are done. Of course, some of them need to stay plugged in, like the fridge, for example. However, making a small effort to unplug relevant appliances will save you a lot of money on electricity bills.
Wind turbines in the field, image source: unsplash.com
Adjust The Water Heater Temperature
During the summer, adjust the water heater temperature to lower levels, as you won’t need to shower using hot water when it is already burning hot outside. Moreover, as the temperature outside rises, the water comes down warm, and this way, you won’t consume the same energy you do in Winter. Another good idea is that you do your laundry in a cold setting to not use hot water from the heater.
Save Water
Something that we’re often unaware of is the amount of water we use on a daily basis. It’s important to be mindful and stay conscious of how much water you’re using and how you use it as well in order to save energy and cash simultaneously.
For instance, turn of the water as you use soap on your hands, brush your teeth, and shampoo your hair. Make sure that you don’t have a leaky faucet and that your flush is not leaking as well. Invest in a new toilet that is designed to not use as much water when it flushes. This is actually where we waste the most water, so you’ll be amazed at how much of a difference new toilet will make.
In terms of energy and water, when it comes to laundry, try to wash in cold water, and doing so with hot water takes up a considerable amount of energy. You should also try your best to wash larger loads to save on both water and electricity.
Get Rid of What You Don’t Need
If you really want to save money on energy, then it’s time to take a step back and assess what you need and what you can do without. The dishwasher for instance – this is something that you don’t really need to use on a regular basis.
You can just use it when you have people over and the load is too much for you to manage on your own, otherwise, make it a point to wash your dishes yourself. In order to avoid dishes piling up, get everyone that lives with in on it and make it a habit to wash your dishes as soon as you’re done using them.
The oven can take up to an hour or even more to make a dish that could take much less time in a proper microwave oven. There are so many microwave recipes available online, so do a bit of research to discover different ways where you can cook without having to waste energy using the oven unnecessarily.
Use LEDs Instead of Incandescent Light Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs use much more energy than LEDs and compact fluorescent lights. Switching to one of those can save you a considerable amount of money every month. Moreover, LEDs and CFLs are eco-friendly alternatives to incandescent lights, as they produce less heat while lasting longer.
You won’t need to replace them as frequently as incandescent lights, which is another added benefit to your budget.
Conclusion
Now is the time to change our energy choices and make a positive impact on the environment.
There are many ways that we can save money while saving our environment too like using solar or wind power to generate energy in our homes, switching to LEDs or CFLs, adjusting our water heaters temperatures during the summer, doing our laundry and dishes during the off-hours, unplugging electronics and appliances, not in use, and cooling or heating our houses using natural ways.
Never underestimate the power of small changes, as these can contribute to making a bigger difference.
