The average American household produces nearly 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year.
A large part of that carbon footprint comes from our use of electricity and water. Finding ways to reduce our usage of both can not only help you reduce your carbon footprint, but also help you to save on your utility costs. Keep reading to learn a few simple tricks that can help you do just that.
Power Down Electronics When Not in Use
Take a second to consider just how many electronics you have plugged in at your home. From televisions to charging laptops, lamps, stereos, toasters and more, these devices are constantly drawing power, even if they aren’t in use. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that households could save an average of 10 percent on their electricity bills by simply unplugging devices when they aren’t in use.
You could also look for products that save energy on their own. For instance, the newest Lorex security camera systems automatically conserve energy by powering on only when they detect motion. This means that you can keep your home and your family safe without running up your bills.
Motion-Activated Outdoor Lighting
A motion-activated security system isn’t the only outdoor tool that can keep your home safe and help you stay eco-friendly at the same time. Motion-activated outdoor lighting is great for lighting the way for your family and preventing slips and falls. But it’s also an excellent way to deter criminals. You’ll have light when you need it most, without paying for electricity when you don’t.
Take Shorter Showers
Everyone loves a long, hot shower after work. But while indulging in one isn’t necessarily a bad thing, this is a great area for saving money and protecting the environment. If you live in a region where water conservation is a major problem, cutting your showers by even just a couple of minutes each day will really add up. And shorter showers doesn’t just save water; every time you shower, your water heater uses electricity that is then saved when you cut your showers short.
Change Your Lightbulbs
Lights can be an expensive draw on your home’s energy. Whether you’re good about turning them off when you’re done in a room or you’re someone who likes to leave plenty of lights on, you’re likely spending a hefty amount of your electricity bill powering your lamps.
Making the change to energy-efficient light bulbs can make a big difference. Swapping out just five of your most-used lights with Energy Star lightbulbs could save you a whopping $75 dollars a year, not to mention they use as much as 80 percent less power, reducing your carbon footprint.
Visit the Library
If you enjoy reading books and magazines, you know that the paper clutter adds up fast. This often means tossing used magazines in the trash. Even if you do recycle them, you’re making a mark on the environment. Rather than ordering a magazine every month, you can likely head to your local library and read the exact same magazine. You’ll save money and reduce your impact without having to give up your reading habit.
Cost-Savings & Eco-Friendly Go Hand-in-Hand
Going eco-friendly in your home is a great way to save energy and money. From powering down electronics when not in use to utilizing motion-activated lighting, taking shorter showers, changing lightbulbs or even simply visiting the library, there are plenty of things you can do that take a small amount of effort but have a big impact.
