Cheap and Easy Ways to Conserve Water and Energy
Going green around your home does not have to be an expensive proposition, and it also doesn’t have to clash with your décor. In fact, there are several simple fixes that don’t require you to buy or install anything at all, and several more that are very easy and affordable to implement as well as stylish.
In fact, there are several companies that specialize in affordable and effective conservation products
When it comes to going green, the two major areas that you should focus on are energy conservation and water conservation. Below are some effective and economical ways to reduce your consumption.
Energy Conservation
Energy conservation involves reducing the amount of gas or electricity you use to perform tasks around your home.
Turn off Your Lights
Turn off the lights in rooms any rooms that are not in use, and only leave on the minimum number of interior and exterior lights when you leave the house in the evenings. You want to be safe, and you want to discourage burglars, but you don’t have to light your house up like a Christmas tree to do it. Consider putting your lights on a timer so that certain rooms are on for a short amount of time, and then turn off. Try lighting pathways with solar lights instead of wired ones.
Another option is to install energy-saving lights, like CFLs and LEDs, which use far less energy than incandescent bulbs. Energy efficient light bulbs have come a long way since the early days of the sickly green glow. Today there are bulbs that give off a warm glow and can add to the ambiance in places like the bedroom, without using a ton of energy.
Unplug Appliances
You might be surprised at how many devices you leave plugged in when you don’t have to, and how many of these devices use energy, even when they are turned off. These devices include cable boxes, game consoles, cell phone chargers, computers and tablets. If you don’t use them often, or if they are turned off, unplug them.
Better yet, attach them all to the same power strip and turn off the strip, or attach them to a timer.
Curb Your Appliance Use
Dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and all those wonderful kitchen gadgets are great time savers, but they can also be energy hogs. We’re not suggesting that you should give up all of your time-saving gadgets, only that you should use them more wisely. For example, if you’re making a cake, try mixing the batter by hand instead of using a mixer. Wash dishes by hand or wait until the dishwasher is completely full and only use cold water. Hand wash small laundry loads, like underwear, and hang them to dry.
Turn Down Your Thermostat
Keeping your home cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer, means your furnace, AC, and blowers won’t kick on as often, which ultimately saves energy. You can also install a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature for you. Set it lower for when you are away, and higher for when you are at home.
AM Conservation Group, a leader in water and energy conservation, also recommends leaving your shades open to allow natural sunlight to warn your living space.
Water Conservation
Water conservation involves reducing the amount of water you use.
Turn Off the Water
Specifically, turn it off, instead of leaving it running, while you are performing tasks like brushing your teeth or washing dishes. You can also do the same thing in the shower by taking a Navy shower where you get wet, turn off the water, soap up, and then turn it back on to rinse.
Another option is to install water-saving faucets. These faucets give you good water pressure without using as much water as a regular faucet.
Take Shorter Showers
If soaping up in a dry shower stall isn’t your thing, another option is to shorten your shower. Long luxurious showers are awesome, but the operative word here is “luxurious”… as in luxury. Most days, try to restrict your shower to ten or fifteen minutes, and then occasionally give yourself a 30-minute splurge. Better yet, swap that 30-minute shower for a 60-minute bath.
You can also install a water-saving shower head or a showerhead with a timer that you can set to shut it off after several minutes.
Another option is to install a low-flush toilet, or alter your existing toilet by putting a water displacement device in the tank to help it fill up faster, but with a lot less water.
