Mar 4, 2009
Posted by Jamie in Green Articles, Green Products & Services | 0 Comments
Save energy, save the earth
This article is second in a series of making your home more environmentally friendly.
In addition to using recycled and earth-friendly furniture, there are other ways to make your home more environmentally sound. In this second installment of the Making Your Home Green, we’ll discuss ways to make your house more energy efficient.
- Get Energy Star appliances. It might be time to get rid of that old refrigerator. If your refrigerator is more than ten years old, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends replacing it with a more energy efficient model that has earned the “Energy Star” logo. Energy Star appliances uses much less electricity than older models.
- Keep tabs on that thermostat. Almost half of your power bill comes from heating and air conditioning. Keeping the temperature at 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer can save you a lot of money, and reduce electricity consumption.
- Use ceiling fans instead of the air conditioner. You will actually find higher temperatures comfortable with moving air (combined with some light summer clothing). Also, using your dishwasher can generate heat, so turn it only in the later hours.
- Replace your furnance. It’s a pricey option, but one that will save you a lot of money in the long run. Furnaces are now 25% more efficient than one in the 1980s, so you’ll start saving money as soon as you have that new furnace up and running. Also, it’s a good idea to clean the furnace air filter on a monthly basis.
- Use energy efficient light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use much less energy than a standard light bulb, and last longer, too.
Not only will you make your house more earth-friendly with these easy-to-follow tips, but you’ll lower your power bill, too. And with the money you save, you can start buying more environmentally friendly products. It’s a win-win situation!
