Tips To Reduce Home Energy Consumption and Save Natural Resources
Homeowners are always looking for the best ways they can save money on energy expenses. However, one of the significant changes for many homeowners in the last decade has been finding ways to save money on energy expenses as well as reduce their carbon footprint to help preserve the earth for future generations. Through advanced technologies, people have become increasingly aware that saving energy also saves the earth’s natural resources.
Saving Energy and Natural Resources
While there has been a meaningful push to reduce carbon emissions from motor vehicles and other modes of transportation, home energy consumption does impact the carbon emissions on the planet as well. The good news is that people who are homeowner energy conservationists also play vital roles in reducing their carbon imprint on the planet.
In contrast to just a few decades ago, public awareness has increased, and the push for cleaner energy sources has been significant. Finding ways to improve energy efficiency and using cleaner energy sources is key to reducing carbon emissions. Since all homes use electricity, one of the most universal areas to focus on conservation is through the reduction of electrical usage.
On average, based on information from power companies in Canada , Canadian homes use an average of11,879 kWh/year of electricity. This is over twice the rate that many European nations use and slightly above the U.S. average. Part of the increase in usage is because of the colder climate in Canada. However, through a better understanding of home energy conservation, homeowners can easily reduce their consumption of electricity by nearly 1,000 kWh/year.
By following some essential tips, homeowners can save money on their energy bills and significantly improve their energy conservation. By following some basic tips, Canadians can reduce their carbon footprint of electrical energy consumption and help preserve the earth’s precious resources.
The Top Homeowner Energy Conservation Tips
- Use High Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
- Increase Home Insulation
- Buy Better Energy Efficient Appliances
- Turn off Lights in Rooms That are Not in Use
- Wash Clothes in Cold Water Whenever Possible
- Avoid Daily Smaller Laundry Loads When Possible
- Use an Electric Tea Pot or the Microwave for Boiling Water Instead of the Stove
- Minimise the Usage of Air Conditioning
- Dry Clothes Outside During the Spring and Summer
- Set Your Computer to Sleep Mode or Turn it Off When Not in Use
- Increase the Use of Natural Sunlight
- Take Shorter Showers
- Only Use the Dishwasher When Full and Increase the Use of the Economy Cycle When Possible
- Set Appliances Like Refrigerators on Economy
- Avoid Using Multi-Light Lamps and Chandeliers When Possible
- Watch Less Television
- Use the Microwave and Toaster Oven for Cooking when Possible
Through the implementation of each of these tips, Canadians can save hundreds of dollars a year on their energy bill as well as help reduce their carbon footprint. As an example, merely replacing out the use of the oven for cooking certain foods, homeowners significantly lower their energy consumption.
Ovens are considered a high energy use appliance. The use of the microwave versus a stove can help homeowners save between 30 to 80 percent on their energy usage. Microwaves can be especially helpful for cooking baked potatoes, casseroles, vegetables, or making a cup of hot tea water.
In addition, the use of a toaster oven versus a traditional oven can save homeowners between 30 and 50 percent. They are perfect for toasting, baking and broiling small dishes. While most people don’t consider this when cooking, toaster ovens can be an especially helpful cooking appliance during the summer since they decrease the heat output in a home which will help homeowners save significant money on air conditioning. By following these basic energy conservation choices, homeowners can make a positive difference in both their cash and carbon output.