Editor’s note: As reported in
other articles in this issue of the in
focus newsletter, we recently became very interested in solar energy due to the
fact that our electric bill kept going up and up. We're also concerned with reducing our carbon footprint and thought that it would be of interest to other
readers to find out some of the ways they could reduce their electricity
without going to the expense of solar power. I never thought about some of
these things before reading this article.
Many of us look at the way our environment is deteriorating and wonder what
we can do to help out. If solar energy is not the right thing for you now,
these are simple, free steps to help you save money as well as the environment.
Cook with small appliances: Cooking with your toaster oven,
electric skillet and slow cooker for specialized jobs, rather than the range
saves more energy because small appliances use less energy.
Use the microwave: Using your microwave oven for smaller
meals instead of the regular size will shorten your cooking time which saves
energy.
Clean or replace air filters: Replace filters on exhaust
hoods, humidifiers, vacuums, etc. Clogged filters impair performance making the
unit you are using use more energy to try to run as efficient as it would with
a clean air filter
Run cold water for disposal: Cold water saves energy and
solidifies grease, moving it more easily through the garbage disposal and pipes
while hot water requires energy to warm the water.
Purchase an ENERGY STAR model: If you have been looking to
buy a new refrigerator or freezer, look for the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR refrigerators
and freezers can save you hundreds of dollars on your electric bill over the life
of the appliance. Remember…the older your refrigerator, the more energy it uses
to run. Sometimes up to 3-4 times more then today’s more efficient models.
Editor’s
Note: Energy Star is an
international standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the
United States of America.
With consultative support from the United States
and Canada, Mexico is exploring possibilities for extending
the Energy Star endorsement label to Mexico.
Pick the Right Size: Before buying your new refrigerator
or freezer figure out which size best suits your household. If you buy one
that’s too big you will be wasting a lot more energy.
Clean Your Unit: Make sure to clean dust off the condenser
coils, fins, evaporator pan and motor once or twice a year doing so will make
your unit run more efficiently. You can do this by unplugging the unit and
cleaning it with a vacuum cleaner or long-handled brush.
Keep Unit Away From Direct Heat: Place your refrigerator or
freezer away from direct sunlight and other heat sources such as ovens or
ranges because the heat will cause the unit to use more energy to stay cold.
Do not Place the Unit in an Unheated Space: Don’t place
your refrigerator or automatic defrost freezer in a garage, porch or other
unheated space because if the temperature drops below 60° F it will be less
efficient and cost more money to operate.
Run Full Loads: Always wait until you have a full load
before running your dishwasher because running a full loads use the same amount
of hot water and energy as smaller loads.
Use Short Cycles: When selecting a cleaning cycle for your
dishwasher experiment to see which cycle properly cleans your dishes in the
shortest cycle. Shorter cycles use less hot water and less energy.
Skip Rinsing the Dishes: Before placing your dishes into
the dishwasher don’t rinse them. Rinsing them uses extra water. If you still
like rinsing them before you place them into the washer use cold water.
Clean the Filter: If your dishwasher has a filter screen,
clean it regularly because when clean it uses less energy and it will run more
efficiently.
Reduce the heat: Begin cooking on a higher heat setting
until liquid begins to boil. Then, lower the temperature and simmer the food
until fully cooked because a fast boil doesn’t cook faster than a slow boil but
it does use more energy.
Don’t Peek in the Oven: While you are baking try not to
peek in the oven by opening it because every time you peek, the temperature
drops 25° F and requires additional energy to bring the temperature back up.
Consider a Natural
Gas Range
or Oven: Natural gas appliances cost less to operate than electric
appliances and offer better temperature control conserving you more energy and
you can actually cook with more specific heat preferences.
Put a Lid on it: Cook food and boil water in a covered
container whenever possible. Putting a lid on it traps the heat and your food
and water will actually boil faster since no heat is escaping.
Adjust the Water Level: Many of the newer washing machines
have a setting where if your no
t doing a full load you can change the setting
so the machine uses less water and energy. Make sure to turn this setting on so
you save water and energy.
Run Full Loads: Always run a full load in your washer or
dryer. Running a partial load uses the same amount of energy as a full load but
you get less done. If you have to run smaller loads make sure to follow the
steps provided in the tip above.
Wash
Laundry in Warm or Cold Water: Washing laundry with warm or cold water
works your water heater less. Use hot water only when the greatest cleaning is
needed or if you don’t want to make that sacrifice you can cycle it so that on
the first rinse it uses warm water and on the second it uses cold water. Also
warm water fades dark colors.
Rinse in cold water: The temperature of the Rinse water has
no effect on cleaning. If you rinse with cold water you can save more energy
because you are heating less water.
Place the Washer Close to the Water Heater: When water
flows through the pipes it is losing heat. If you place your washer close to
the water heater it will have a shorter distance to travel meaning the water
doesn’t cool down as much. You can also insulate the pipes between the washer
and the heater which will help retain more heat.
Don’t Dry Clothes Excessively: A lot of the older dryers
simply dry clothes for a certain time limit. If you are looking to purchase a
new dryer look for a model that will actually stop once it senses that the
clothes is dry. Drying laundry excessively uses more energy and is harder on
your fabrics.
Clean the Lint Filter: After each load clean the filter to
keep the dryer running efficiently. Also, periodically check the air vent and
hose for clogging. Keeping the air vent and hose free of lint prevents a fire
hazard.
Repair Dripping Faucets Promptly : If you have a leaking faucet
anywhere in your house make sure to put that at the top of your list for things
that need to be fixed. If the faucet leaks hot water, the energy used to heat
it is costing you money. (One drop a second can waste up to 48 gallons a week!)
Install a Water Softener: If you have hard water think
about installing a water softener to prevent mineral deposits from coating the
elements. This helps prolong water heater life and saves energy and money.
Use a Humidifier: Humidity makes you feel warmer in colder months.
With the proper humidity level, you’ll be able to turn your thermostat down to
a lower temperature, save energy and still feel comfortable. About 20 percent
to 40 percent relative humidity is recommended.
Remove Moisture With a Dehumidifier: Use a dehumidifier in
the warmer more humid months. Less humidity helps you feel cooler so that way
you don’t have to go so cold on the air conditioner setting and you save
energy. A dehumidifier works best when air can circulate freely through it so
place it away from walls and bulky furniture.
Use ENERGY STAR Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: ENERGY
STAR compact fluorescent light bulbs last longer and use up to 75 percent less
energy than standard light bulbs. You can cut your electric bill by $60 per
year if you replace the standard bulbs in your five most frequently used light
fixtures. Also the newer bulbs not only use less energy but last longer saving
you even more money.
Use Natural Lighting: Open curtains and shades during the
day instead of using lighting. Consider skylights and solar tubes during
remodeling or new construction design. This allows the maximum use of natural
daylight.
Use a single High-Watt Bulb: Instead of using multiple
lights or lamps to illuminate a room, use one higher powered bulb or lamp. By
using simply one bulb which is brighter you save more energy then if you would
light multiple bulbs that aren’t as bright.
Control Outdoor Lighting: Leaving out door lights on all
day consumes a lot of energy that is not needed. To make sure that your bulb is
only on when the sun goes down consider purchasing a photocell or a timer.
Turn Off Lights: Turn off lights when not in use, even if
its only for short periods of time when doing this constantly and daily it
slowly begins to add up.
Get Your Unit Tuned Up: Have your central air conditioner
tuned up by a qualified heating contractor every other year. This can help the
unit operate more efficiently and may prevent failures in the middle of peak
cooling season.
Keep the Sun Out: Closing blinds, shades and drapes on the
sunny side of your home during the day will help keep the house cooler, causing
the air conditioner to use less energy in bringing the temperature to a
comfortable level.
Cool Only The Rooms in Use: When you have your AC or heater
on make sure to close unused rooms to keep the cooled or heated air where you
need it the most. By leaving the doors open you are forcing the unit to work to
change the entire houses temperature.
Keep Vents Clear: When laying out the furniture in your
home make sure to keep the furniture and drapes away from the air vents. This
allows the cool air to move out into the rooms and keeps your air conditioner
from running more than necessary.
Turn Off Electronics You Are Not Using: When you are done
watching T.V. or using your computer make sure to turn them off when you are
done because not only do they use more energy and also produce more heat. Extra
heat requires more energy to power the air conditioner and increases cooling
costs.
Use The Microwave: Cook using your microwave oven rather
than your standard oven or range. It creates less heat and humidity in your
home also it takes longer for you to pre-heat your stove or oven then when
using a microwave oven.
Don’t Make More Heat. If you can, delay chores that produce
heat and moisture until the cooler parts of the day or evening. Limit dish
washing, laundry and cooking on hot, humid days. These activities make your
room more uncomfortable and require your air conditioner to work harder.
As well as your primary carbon footprint, there is also a secondary
footprint that you cause through your buying habits.
- Don't buy bottled water if
your tap water is safe to drink
- Buy local fruit and
vegetables, or even try growing your own
- Buy foods that are in season
locally
- Don't buy fresh fruit and
vegetables which are out of season, they may have been flown in
- Reduce your consumption of
meat
- Try to only buy products made
close to home (look out and avoid items that are made in the distant
lands)
- Don't buy over packaged
products
- Recycle as much as possible
- Think carefully about the
type of activities you do in your spare time. Do any of these cause an
increase in carbon emissions? e.g. Saunas, Health clubs, restaurants and
pubs, go-karting etc. etc...
Sources:
solarenergydream.com/blog/ways-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint/carbonfootprint.com/minimisecfp.html