We always hear about the effects that global warming has on the environment. But what can we do to make a difference?
Stop Wasting Energy
You probably don’t realise it, but you waste energy around the home. Most of us do it. It’s only when we start to look at how we use our energy that we see how and where we’re wasting it. It’s very easy to ignore this kind of wastage, but it will make your carbon footprint larger and cost you more in energy bills.
If you leave lights on whenever you leave the room, or you have them on during the day, turn them off! If the light is serving no real purpose, then it shouldn’t be on. It doesn’t take much effort to turn them off or not turn them on in the first place when they don’t need to be on. You should apply the same logic to your appliances, don’t leave them on standby when they’re not in use.
Change All Your Lightbulbs
Most of us don’t use the most energy efficient lightbulbs, but we should. Conventional lightbulbs are not necessarily any better than the energy efficient ones, but they certainly do use up more energy. I bet you didn’t know this, but if the whole country switched to energy efficient lightbulbs, the amount of money spent on electricity would be slashed in half.
The best bulbs you can go for are called compact fluorescent bulbs. You might think that a small lightbulb can’t use up much energy, but you’d be wrong. One ordinary bulb can produce over 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. That’s why you need to switch to compact fluorescent bulbs!
Consider Renewable Energy Sources
How you power your home is the biggest decision you have to make with regards to your carbon footprint. Most of us just take the easy option and use the big energy companies. But it can make a lot more sense to use renewable energy sources, they can save you money and are obviously greener.
There are two main options to choose from when picking a renewable energy source for your home: solar panels or wind turbines. You can use a company like Nova Lumos, they will provide you with a battery too so your energy can be stored. If you go for solar panels, make sure your house isn’t surrounded by trees that block the sun.
Only Buy the Most Efficient Appliances
Old appliances tend to be a lot less energy efficient than the newer ones. Some appliances have to be left on all the time, so it’s important to make sure you buy the most efficient and clean appliances possible. For example, your refrigerator isn’t something that can be turned off, so you want it to be efficient and not use too much energy.
So, if you haven’t upgraded your kitchen appliances for a long time, it might be time to start thinking about making changes. It does cost money to buy new appliances, but you will reduce your carbon footprint and save a bit of money on your energy bills.
It’s our responsibility to minimise our carbon footprint, so make these changes today.