If we know one thing about our planet, it’s that it is rapidly warming up, causing many problems for the animals, plants and humans. There are various reasons why climate change might occur, but our reckless wasting of natural resources as well as heartless pollution are definitely to blame for at least some of the negative effects we experience every day. While big corporations must reduce their energy consumption and waste, we at home can also do our part. Here are just some of the easiest ways to conserve electricity and help save the planet:
Invest in energy-efficient appliances
Of course, you’re not going to throw away your perfectly good appliances, but in case you get a breakage that can’t be fixed, it’s smart to switch to energy-efficient appliances. These appliances with Energy Star ratings require less electricity to perform their actions but are also less noisy and more pleasant to look at.
Rethink how you do your laundry and dishes
Your washing machine and dishwasher use a lot of energy during every cycle, so to make the best out of your energy consumption, always make full loads before running them. In the summer, you can leave your dryer idle and try air-drying your laundry. The process is a little bit longer, but if you live somewhere sunny like Australia, you will achieve the same results using free and renewable sun’s energy.
Ask professionals for help
If your appliances are not working properly, they might be sucking up all the energy from the grid causing a huge waste. In that case, it’s smart to call an electrician to diagnose the problem and fix it. In Australia, it’s popular to upgrade your meter or invest in a smart meter that measures electric energy, voltage levels, current, and power factors, and records energy in real-time giving you clarity on your consumption. To install these smart meters, rely on level 2 electricians in Sydney to perform proper installation and ensure accurate data. This is something no hobby electrician should tackle so be careful.
Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs
To reduce your energy waste yet maintain good lighting levels in your home, you can consider ditching your old bulbs (after they burn out) and switching to more energy-efficient CFL or LED bulbs. These not only use less electricity, but they also have a longer life which means less money waste and trash. Of course, don’t leave these bulbs working unnecessarily either—whenever you’re not in the room, turn the lights off.
Boost natural light
There are several benefits to boosting natural light in your home. Firstly, it will reduce the need for artificial lighting and bring you energy savings. Secondly, natural light is better for you and your indoor plants, and all of you will thrive together. Thirdly, you will find it easier to keep your home warm in the winter with some warming sun getting through the window. In the summer, simply close the blinds and enjoy a cool environment.
Unplug electronics to save electricity
If your phone charged? Unplug the charger. Are you going to sleep? Unplug your tv and other gadgets. Leaving electronics plugged in when not in use will still consume some electricity and cause unnecessary waste. Of course, it goes without saying to turn off your air conditioning before you leave the house. If you have a smart AC or home thermostat, you can program it to turn on just before you come home or use the manual remote option to adjust your cooling or heating.
Be smart with fridge use
Most of us keep our fridges and freezers much cooler than necessary, which causes huge energy waste. Boost the temperature of your fridge for a few Fahrenheit and enjoy the same results for lower energy waste. Also, it’s important to keep your fridge clean and air-tight to keep the cold in and warmth out. If you have a second fridge in your garage that you usually keep half-empty or only use for parties and special occasions, just ditch it and save both electricity and money.
It will take some time to get used to all the changes necessary to save energy, but once they become a part of your life, you will never go back to being a wasteful consumer. By conserving energy, you help the planet and also keep your wallet at least a little fuller.
