1. Change that light bulb
CFL, or compact fluorescent light use a quarter of the energy and last 10 times longer—so the steeper cost will more than pay for itself. With lighting comprising about 12 percent of the standard energy bill, it’s worth the change.
2. Turn down the water heater
When was the last time you used the “hot” tap without also turning on the “cold” one? Whether showering or washing up, we rarely need tap water as hot as it can get, so why not turn down the hot water heater?
3. Get insulated
Un-insulated homes don’t just lose heat and cool air, they’re also wasting energy and money—two things we should keep an eye on! Up front, the cost can seem hefty, but like most things, the benefits come over time. It might even take a few years to make back the installation cost, but the reduced energy expenditure means your carbon footprint (and energy bill) will start reducing immediately.
4. Carpool
It saves fuel and means fewer cars on the road—which means less carbon emissions. Simple as that.
5. Think about solar
More and more people are investing in solar power. Although the initial set up can be costly, it will be a worthwhile investment in the long run.
6. Unplug everything
A lot of appliances, use up electricity even when they’re switched off. Set top boxes, DVD players, modems, and computers are just some of the culprits. To tackle this, you can invest in a power strip and turn it off every time appliances aren’t in use – or just go the manual route and pull the plug.
7. Line dry
If you have a clothes dryer, there’s a good chance it uses more energy than anything else in your home. Grab a clothes rack, set up a clothes line outside, or just hang wet laundry on clothes hangers around the house.
8. Turn off the lights
There’s a reason light switches are located by the door! Make a habit of turning them off when leaving a room, and especially whenever you leave the house – you’ll save energy (and save on the energy bill) in the process.
