Celebrating Earth Day, we’ve decided to go “green” this week with our blog posts discussing things you can do to your house to be more energy-efficient and environmentally responsible.
Today, we’re going to discuss six simple and relatively inexpensive things you can do that can have a pretty dramatic effect on your home’s resource consumption. Consequently, you will wind up seeing savings on your monthly utility bills and doing your part for the environment.
Clean Your Refrigerator
We’re not talking about the inside of your refrigerator; we’re talking about the coils underneath that are accessible generally through a vent or a piece of cardboard. Just about any home improvement store carries a unique and inexpensive brush (it’s long and skinny), that can be used to clean the cooling coils. Use the brush in conjunction with a vacuum, and the refrigerator will operate a lot more efficiently. This idea is especially true for second refrigerators that are in the garage as they tend to be dust magnets.
Swap Out Old Light Bulbs
LED light bulbs have come down drastically in price and use a fraction of the energy as incandescent and even CFL bulbs. Additionally, they last significantly longer than the other bulbs, so your modest investment goes a lot further.
Low-Flow Faucets, Toilets, and Showerheads
OK, while toilets may be a little more expensive to replace, installing aerators on your home’s faucets and using a low-flow showerhead can help reduce water consumption. Dual flush toilets can help reduce water use based on the type of flush that needs to occur. Bonus tip, showering uses less water than baths.
Turn up the Heat
Setting your thermostat at a warmer temperature for air conditioning and cooler temperatures for heating can save you money every month. Even a one-degree change can amount to about a $60 per year savings.
Cook Under Pressure
Using a pressure cooker to cook foods can reduce energy use by at least 50%. It’s higher heat and pressure that generally cooks food in a fraction of the time.
Use Power Strips
Using power strips for your electronic devices can help save energy as long as you power the strip off when not using. Many electronic devices that are in standby or sleep modes, still draw power from the grid and are known as “energy vampires.”
The Last Word
Taking advantage of those six suggestions, you should see savings on your upcoming utility bills. In our next installment, we’re going to discuss some larger things you can do around the house to go green and while saving green.
