It can be difficult to imagine a world without electricity. After all, you were born during a time when electricity freely flows through the wires and into the wall outlets to power your household’s appliances. However, that’s not an open invitation to consume as much energy as you can just because you pay for it.
You might not know this, but electricity production is the second-largest contributor of carbon emissions in the US, right next to transportation. This is because producing electricity requires the burning of fossil fuels, which is harmful to the environment and the people living in it.
Of course, you’re not the only one who has to fight against climate change and global warming, but you should at least do your part by reducing your carbon footprint. And you can do that by being mindful of your energy consumption at home. It might not have a momentous impact on such a large scale, but any effort to save the environment is better than simply standing by as the world burns.
So, it’s normal to feel clueless at first, especially because people today have a lot to undo from the messes left by previous generations, but you have to start somewhere. Here are three ways you can reduce your energy bills and save the environment at the same time:
Install Solar Shades
Having wide, open windows can be a great source of natural lighting. Instead of relying on your LED lights to make a room brighter, you can simply crack open the windows to let the light flood in. Plus, you can save more money in the process because you won’t have to use electricity to make it happen.
However, there can also be times when those wide, open windows can feel like a double-edged sword, especially during summer. Because the windows are large enough to take up space on the wall, you’ll have a thinner defense against the blazing heat of the summer sun, and curtains can’t manage to block it out.
In situations like these, it can be wise to install awnings on your windows. Or maybe even install a patio sun and wind screen if you have a big sliding glass door that leads to your backyard. Having this additional barrier between the sun and your house can reduce the amount of heat coming into your home, which means you won’t have to blast the AC throughout the summer.
Insulate Your Home
It’s only natural for the internal temperatures of the house to be affected by external weather conditions. Since the temperature outside can get hot or cold throughout the day, you might grow dependent on your house’s HVAC system to keep a comfortable temperature. But that can be a problem in itself.
This is because every time it gets too hot or too cold for your liking, you’ll crank up the AC or heating, respectively. Although it might not look serious, it can dampen the efficiency of your HVAC system because it’s being pushed to its limits when the seasons change. Plus, it can make your energy bills skyrocket.
A good solution to this is to insulate your house. You can add another layer between your home and the natural elements through insulation, which means it will be easier to control the internal temperature. You can insulate your roof, windows, floors, doors, and walls to seal off all entrances where outside air can pass through.
Look into Renewable Energy
If you truly want to make a difference in this world, you might want to look into renewable energy sources and how you can use them in your home. Plenty of renewable energy sources are available today, such as geothermal, wind power, hydropower, biomass energy, and solar power.
While these energy sources are already being tapped into across the globe for various initiatives, the most feasible option for households is solar power. This is because you would only need enough solar panels to harness the unlimited power from the sun and convert it into electricity for your home.
Of course, you would have to consider the factors that will come into play when you use solar power for your house because it can be quite expensive upfront due to installation and maintenance. But switching to solar power can be a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and energy bills simultaneously.
You don’t have to be an eco-warrior to start taking action in the small ways you can for the environment. Even simply conserving water and being mindful of your energy consumption can already be a big effort towards fighting against climate change. So, don’t doubt your efforts because they can go a long way.
