Earth day may be over, but that doesn't mean our commitment to save the Earth ends when the date turns April 23. We, as humans, can correct our mistakes and give our home planet a chance to heal, grow, and sustain the living beings that call it home.
Saving the Earth is more than just not using electricity for a day or turning off the lights for the evening. Here are some technologies you can use to make every day Earth Day:
Energy-Saving Lighting
We have come a long way from using fluorescent light bulbs, which could release mercury in either dust or vapor form once it breaks. This dust or vapor is harmful to humans and the environment, per Wonder Makers.
Using an LED bulb or light-emitting diode uses less energy, safer materials, and has a much longer lifespan, saving you tons of dollars in electricity bills and replacement light bulbs, according to Robots.net.
LED light bulbs can also focus light on a concentrated point without affecting the surrounding environment, which is something incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs can't do as they send light in all directions.
Solar Panels
Another way of saving the environment is by installing and using solar panels in your home. Using the electricity generated by these solar panels to power your home will not only reduce your carbon emissions but also reduce your electricity bills.
The traditional way of generating electricity is through the use of fossil fuels, which create greenhouse gas emissions that prevents heat from escaping into space, trapping them here on Earth. Making the switch allows you to help the world reverse the current trend of global warming.
Electricity from solar energy doesn't have to be directly connected to appliances either. Batteries designed to store electricity made from solar energy can be used to power your home when the sun has set. You could even give others the electricity you stored in the battery without fear of it losing charge, as the electricity you share also comes back.
Electric Cars
Electric cars or vehicles (EVs) are poised to replace internal combustion engine (ICE) cars in the future, with most companies in the automotive industry pledging to be selling mostly or fully EVs by 2030. In fact, President Biden wants more EV battery production to not only save the planet but also to save American families from high oil prices.
EVs are a big thing because not only are they more efficient than ICE vehicles, but they also have minimal carbon emissions as they don't produce greenhouse gases.
However, that would depend on how the electricity you use to charge an EV is made. If it's made from fossil fuels, there would still be carbon emissions. If the source is from natural, renewable sources, you will still produce carbon emissions, but not as much as the alternative.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
Just like with energy-saving lighting, eco-friendly versions of large appliances can be used to save the planet. Using these help you cut down on electricity consumption, leading to savings and reduced carbon emissions.
To know if an appliance is eco-friendly, try looking for its Energy Star rating. This rating tells you how energy efficient an appliance is, according to Greener Ideal.
Keep in mind that the standards vary per product and the savings won't be as much as you might like to see. However, those savings do add up over time.
Smart Thermostat
Smart Thermostats or Programmable thermostats are another way of saving both the environment and your pocket. Thanks to its programmable nature, you can set a schedule on when your home should be hot, cold, or turned off, per Environment.co.
Using these allows you to save energy and money because they give you a more hands-on option in the management of your house's temperatures. And, as you may have guessed by reading through this article, the less energy an appliance uses, the more environmentally friendly it is.
