Category 4 of this great energy diet reveals the ways we can individually reduce our carbon footprint by evaluating how much energy we consume in our very own home. All of the examples and tactics disclosed are mostly basic but highly effective in results. Did you know as much as 50% of the energy consumed in homes goes to heating and cooling? It is important to for you to be aware of the decisions you make about your home’s heating, ventilating, and also air conditioning as such factors can have a massive effect on your personal energy consumption, monthly bills AND comfort. Preserving energy at home and in your personal space means not only that you are reducing your particular carbon footprint, but also implies money less spent.
- Complete awareness: Do you leave all your household plugs on and connected when you are out and about? Is your air conditioner active when you are shopping for groceries? Well ladies and gents, try to get into the habit of NOT doing so; it is critical to allocate some time to switching off your air conditioner for example, as well as other households appliances including, TV’s, stereo’s and charging tools.
- Change: Fridges, freezers, geezers, washing machines and tumble dryers are all high energy consumers. With this being said, try to change the settings of these appliances encouraging less energy demand. Regarding washing machines use cold water instead of hot. Another aspect to consider on how to preserve energy levels is if you have very few clothes to clean, rather wash them by hand. This works the other way too; if you have few clothes to dry rather hang them up instead of using a tumble dryer.
- Replace: Substitute at least one third or all of your light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs.
- Power strips: (some power strips can even detect whether or not devices are in use and control electricity flow accordingly) that allow you to turn off a number of devices at once. Don’t forget to unplug the unused phone chargers.
- Donate: Do you have two fridges? Or 3 television sets? It’s most likely that your second fridge is old and not up to-date so why not give them away to someone less fortunate in attempt to reduce the energy you consume, and to do something fulfilling. Fridges consume high dosages of energy so when buying, ensure that they are energy efficient.
