Do Your Part for the Environment (persuasion)
It is very important that we use our natural resources as wisely as possible. A good way to have a positive impact on our environment is to reduce our consumption. There are many other ways to do our part in saving the environment for future generations. Recycling paper and plastic, reducing waste, and reusing resources whenever possible are a few. Since we spend much of our time at home, this is a good place to start. There are things we can do to our homes that will cost very little and others that are expensive.
Having the heating and cooling system serviced and changing the filters regularly will ensure that the system is operating as efficiently as possible. Another helpful tip is lowering the temperature on the thermostat in the winter and increasing it in the summer. Programmable thermostats are a great, inexpensive tool for accomplishing this task with very little effort. In winter a ceiling fan on low, running clockwise will re-circulate the warmer air that rises to the upper areas of the room, making it more comfortable. In summer, reversing the fan for cooler air will keep air conditioning costs lower. It is important to make sure the fans are turned off when not in the room to avoid unneeded electrical usage.
The water heater in a home works 24 hours a day to provide instant hot water when needed. Lowering this temperature will make the hot water heater work less, and save energy. Another small and inexpensive change to make is sealing gaps and cracks in the home. Small cracks around windows, hose bibs and doors allow cold air to infiltrate the home. Sealing these cracks with exterior caulk or foam will translate into energy savings and lower the cost to heat the home.
These are a few of inexpensive and easy ways to reduce energy consumption. There are other more costly ways to make a home more energy efficient. But the big changes can translate into more savings in the future. The more drastic changes can also add value to a house when it is time to sell. Replacing old windows with new ones is an important step to take to reduce energy consumption in the home. According to Danny’s Blog at the Do It Yourself website, windows can account for 10% to 25% of heat loss in an average older home. During the summer, sunny windows make air conditioners work two to three times harder. Almost half the homes in the United States still have single-pane windows that should be replaced. Depending on the number of windows and the size of those windows, the cost of replacing them can range from as low as $7500 or as high as $22,000 or more. Insulating the home’s exterior walls and attic is another way to reduce energy waste. This will also cost more now, but save money later.
Everyone should make a commitment to greener living. By making changes to our homes in order to reduce energy consumption, we are all doing our part to protect the environment. By changing one thing at a time, the whole idea will seem more manageable. Some of the changes are simple and take very little time or cost, while others could be very time consuming and expensive. Not only will changes we make translate into reduced energy consumption but they will reduce our energy bills as well.
