A Voice from the Eastern Door
Everyone already knows a number of ways to save energy in your home, but did you know that saving money also helps to save the planet in ways we can’t even imagine. Each time you put a dollar into your home to save energy you are putting two dollars into saving the planet. By reducing our carbon footprint we are also putting money in our pockets.
Here are some money and planet saving ways to get ready for winter; some you have already heard and I hope some are new to you, like which way to have your fans running.
Short Showers – We all think we can take a short shower. To find out how long you really are in the shower – time yourself or have someone time you. It’s always a lot longer than you think. If you take a 10-minute shower you are saving water energy, and in the long run making your carbon footprint shorter. Living in the North Country we take for granted the abundance of water. With the St. Lawrence River, Racquette River and St. Regis River running through, we don’t really cut back on our use of water. If you lived in or visited for any length of time in the south and southwest, water is at a premium. In many places you are fined for watering your lawn, garden or washing your car at home. Things we never think of here. But taking a l0 minute shower and shutting off the water when you brush your teeth makes a difference in the long run. It will show in your electricity bill and in your child’s future water use.
Fuel – Gas; asking someone to walk, ride a bike, or catch a bus to work just doesn’t make sense living in the country. Generally we live too far from our work place to make it practical. But if you live close enough and the weather is nice enough - biking or walking to work saves an enormous amount of fuel, makes a smaller carbon footprint and the benefits to your over overall health are enormous.
Energy Efficient Appliances - When you are buying new appliances make sure they have the Energy Star label on them. This ensures the appliance saves energy and meets the criteria set by the EPA and US Department of Energy.
Vampires - Have you ever heard of a phantom load? That is power pulled into electric devices even when they are turned off, sometimes called a “vampire load”. If you have appliances and devices plugged in all the time you are using unnecessary energy. Unplug what you can such as the toaster, cell phone charger, power strip bars and surge protectors. The TV and computer can be shut off, but you may want to keep the TiVo and VCR plugged in (as well as your cable/satellite receiver).
Adjust Temperatures - Setting the temperature on your hot water heater to around 120 degrees helps to save energy and you would still have plenty hot water for your shower and less chance of scalding yourself or your little ones. Programmable thermostats are made to save energy by maintaining an energy efficient temperature.
To be continued next week
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