There are numerous ways to save water and energy at home. They range from turning off the lights to recycling clean water. But the question is, are they helpful? Well, every step you take to save energy and water helps you save money and conserve the environment. Let’s find out more about how you can save energy and water at home as a parent.
Seal Door Drafts and Windows
In the United States, natural gas is the second most heavily consumed energy source. Because of this, it is crucial to seal your door drafts and window shades during the day to save gas energy used in heating and cooling your house. It works by keeping sunlight out when the outside is too hot, thus keeping your house cool. In winter, you can do the opposite to let in sunlight and keep your house warmer.
Consider a Smart Thermostat
If you have an old thermostat, consider upgrading to a smart one. Smart thermostats minimize energy consumption by automatically turning off when it’s not needed. This kind of thermostat can save you up to $180 per year. The best thing is that it notifies you when its air filters need a replacement for better performance and efficient energy use.
Energy-efficient windows can also work best for cooling your house depending on its location and the architectural design of your house. For example, if your home is based in a cold area, you can use gas-powered windows to reduce heating expenses. Also, always ensure that your thermostat is off when you’re away from the house.
Watch Your Water Usage
How you use water while in the house determines how much water you save annually. It doesn’t matter if it’s water for brushing your teeth or flushing the toilet. Even the smallest drop counts. Watching your water usage is like learning how to place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to where the gums and teeth meet when you brush your teeth. That is how you can save money just like you save your teeth and gums from destruction.
There are various ways you can save water. First off, consider upgrading to a dual-flush toilet. This is an affordable choice that boasts of the mainstream. It can save you up to $13-$21 annually and up to 20% of water.
You can also try to spend fewer minutes in the shower to save a few gallons of water. Or, reduce the number of times you shower in a week. Alternatively, you can invest in a low-flow showerhead that has a flow rate of less than 3 GPM.
Reconsider Your Laundry Habits
Another great way of saving water and energy is reconsidering your laundry habits. If you have a habit of heating water for washing your clothes, you can drop it to save energy. Cold water works fine and cleans your clothes well.
Also, if it’s sunny outside, you can avoid machine drying your clothes by air-drying outside on a clothesline to save energy. If you have time, you can consider handwashing your dishes instead of using a dishwasher to save water and energy as well.
Replace Your Light Bulbs
Light bulbs play a major role in energy conservation. Consider replacing your light bulbs with energy-saving ones. You will not only save money but also help conserve the environment by curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
Steel is the most recycled material in the world with a recycling rate of 90%. Yet, a single bulb switch can make a big difference in energy savings as well. This means if you encourage your neighbors and friends to switch to energy-saving devices and tools, much energy would be saved throughout your community, too.
Now that you are familiar with ways to save energy and water, you can go ahead and implement them in your home. This will make the entire environment happy. Feel free to share ideas with your neighbors and family members as well.
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