How to Reduce Your Energy Consumption
Most of the tools we use every day are powered by electricity, such as cell phones, cooking appliances, refrigerators, and computers. Even our air conditioners and heaters use electricity to keep our homes feeling comfortable. However, did you know that energy consumption uses fossil fuels, which is a nonrenewable resource? It also produces carbon dioxide and pollution, which is an environmental hazard. Here are some simple strategies to reduce your energy consumption and limit your carbon footprint.
Shut off all electric devices, such as gaming consoles, cell phone chargers, computers, and televisions when they are not being used. Even though these devices are not being used by you they are running on standby power. This will greatly reduce your energy bill as well!
Let your dishes air dry instead of running the drying cycle in your dishwasher.
Clean or replace your furnace's air filter once a month. This will reduce the energy consumed to heat your home.
Turn your water heater temperature to 120 degrees F instead of 140 degrees. Reducing the temperature of your water heater by 10 degrees can reduce your home's carbon dioxide emissions by over 600 pounds a year!