Saving Energy
Most of energy including electricity is generated from fossil fuel burning which is thought to be the number one cause of the rising concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which in turn warms up the planet. As a result, just about everything that needs power to work no matter whether it is electricity or fossil fuels contributes to global warming. It is impossible to function in the modern world without using any energy, while the green sources of energy unfortunately cannot cover all the needs of an individual for now. However, you can reduce your carbon footprint by saving energy whenever and wherever possible.
Saving energy is not about giving up the comfort of modern lifestyle but it is about responsible use of energy. Switching off the lights when no one is present in the room is the very least thing everyone can do although this energy saving measure alone is not enough. Most of energy in households is used by kitchen appliances and other electricity-powered devices such as washing machine, computers, hair driers, etc. and for that reason, the greatest energy savings can be made with responsible use of home appliances. Here are a few ways how to lower the kilowatt hours on your electricity bill:
- turn off appliances and electronics completely when not needed as the stand by/sleep mode uses up to 90 percent of energy the appliance uses when turned on
- run your washing machine/dishwasher fully loaded
- match the pan size to the burner when you cook
- heat small quantities of food in a microwave rather than an oven
- do not open the refrigerator for no reason
- place freezer/refrigerator away from heat sources such as oven for instance
- watch for energy efficiency when buying new appliances
The list of tips on how to reduce your household electricity consumption could go on and on. And the best thing about saving energy is that it does not require any dramatic lifestyle changes nor giving up the comfort of modern technology. But your energy saving measures should not stop at electricity alone. If you own a car, you should avoid unnecessary car trips. Walk or ride a bicycle to shorter destinations. That way you will also do something for your health and lose weight/maintain a healthy body weight a lot easier. Also, use public transportation if possible or carpool.
In the end, do not forget about responsible water use. Fortunately, access to clean water is not posing a problem in the developed world but it is important to be aware that drinking water is not available in limitless amounts either. And if the trend of population growth will continue, access to drinking water may become a problem in this part of the world as well. In order to prevent this from happening, we need to start using drinking water more responsibly today because millions of litres of water are literally wasted for nothing. To reduce your water consumption, follow these tips:
- close the tap when you are brushing your teeth
- reduce showering time and close the tap when you are using shampoo or soap
- collect rainwater for watering your plants and lawn
- check hidden leaks in your plumbing and fix dripping taps and toilets
- run your washing machine fully loaded
- consider installing rainwater harvesting system