We are becoming more aware of the environmental impacts we have on our day-to-day lives, and there are actually ways we can reduce them. Each one of us has our own carbon footprint, and a few easy measures can significantly help the Earth.
1. Conserve Energy
This is the most common thing you can do that won't require much work from you. All you have to do is mind the running appliances and lights in your home. If you're not in the room, turn off your lights. If you're not using your TV or computer, turn it off.
The less energy you use, the fewer fossil fuels are converted into energy, and the less pollution results from it. This can also help you reduce your energy bill and prolong the lifespan of your electronics, so it's a win-win situation.
2. Buy LED Light Bulbs
Most homes still use incandescent light bulbs since they are cheaper, but they actually waste more energy than LED bulbs. The latter is even brighter with the same wattage. If you still use incandescent bulbs, you can start replacing them now.
Besides, incandescent and halogen bulbs are already banned from production in the US, so you won't find them in stores soon. It's still produced in other countries, but as mentioned before, LEDs are the more practical choice.
3. Install Solar Panels
Renewable energy is becoming more widely used, which is good since it is cheaper and better for the environment than fossil fuels. There are companies you can contact that will install the solar panels for you, or you can do that yourself.
You can soak up energy from the sun, which is an unlimited resource. You can even earn from this. If your solar panels produce more energy than you can use, you can sell the excess back to the power grid for extra income. Of course, this can be affected by the weather in your area.
4. Get a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats come with various features that can help you conserve energy. For instance, some models have geolocation features that let the device know if you're home or not. It will then adjust your HVAC and save energy.
Some come with sensors that balance the temperature in certain areas of your home. With Wi-Fi connectivity, you can control the thermostat even when you're away. Other models even support voice assistants like Alexa for hands-free control.
5. Properly Insulate Your Home
You will use less energy for both heating and cooling when you properly insulate your home. During the summer, the insulation will prevent the heat from entering your home. During winter, it will keep the heat in, so you won't have to turn up the temperature in your thermostat.
There are many ways you can insulate your house if you haven't already. For one, you can have insulation materials installed within your walls. You can also install them on the wall externally, which will then be covered by drywall, plasterwork, or cladding.
