Many of us look at the way our environment is deteriorating and wonder what we can do to help out. Well we here at Solar Energy Dream want to help you help the environment so every day we will update you with 5 new ways that you can reduce your Carbon Footprint making the world a better place. If solar energy is not the right thing for you now these are simple, free steps to help you save money as well as the environment.
If you are currently doing something that we have yet to post feel free to send us an email or comment so that we can share it with everyone else. Newer updates are placed towards the bottom of the list. Thank you and enjoy =).
Cook with small appliances: Cooking with your toaster oven, electric skillet and slow cooker for specialized jobs, rather than the range saves more energy because small appliances use less energy.
Use the microwave: Using your microwave oven for smaller meals instead of the regular size will shorten your cooking time which saves energy.
Clean or replace air filters: Replace filters on exhaust hoods, humidifiers, vacuums, etc. Clogged filters impair performance making the unit you are using use more energy to try to run as efficient as it would with a clean air filter
Run cold water for disposal: Cold water saves energy and solidifies grease, moving it more easily through the garbage disposal and pipes while hot water requires energy to warm the water.
Purchase an ENERGY STAR model: If you have been looking to buy a new refrigerator or freezer, look for the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR refrigerators and freezers can save you hundreds of dollars on your electric bill over the life of the appliance. Remember,, the older your refrigerator the more energy it uses to run. Sometimes up to 3-4 times more then today’s more efficient models.
Pick the Right Size: Before buying your new refrigerator or freezer figure out which size best suits your household. If you buy one that’s too big you will be wasting a lot more energy.
Clean Your Unit: Make sure to clean dust off the condenser coils, fins, evaporator pan and motor once or twice a year doing so will make your unit run more efficiently. You can do this by unplugging the unit and cleaning it with a vacuum cleaner or long-handled brush.
Keep Unit Away From Direct Heat: Place your refrigerator or freezer away from direct sunlight and other heat sources such as ovens or ranges because the heat will cause the unit to use more energy to stay cold.
Do not Place the Unit in an Unheated Space: Don’t place your refrigerator or automatic defrost freezer in a garage, porch or other unheated space because if the temperature drops below 60° F it will be less efficient and cost more money to operate.
Run Full Loads: Always wait until you have a full load before running your dishwasher because running a full loads use the same amount of hot water and energy as smaller loads.
Use Short Cycles: When selecting a cleaning cycle for your dishwasher experiment to see which cycle properly cleans your dishes in the shortest cycle. Shorter cycles use less hot water and less energy.
Skip Rinsing the Dishes: Before placing your dishes into the dishwasher don’t rinse them. Rinsing them uses extra water. If you still like rinsing them before you place them into the washer use cold water.
Clean the Filter: If your dishwasher has a filter screen, clean it regularly because when clean it uses less energy and it will run more efficiently.
Reduce the heat: Begin cooking on a higher heat setting until liquid begins to boil. Then, lower the temperature and simmer the food until fully cooked because a fast boil doesn’t cook faster than a slow boil but it does use more energy.
Don’t Peek in the Oven: While you are baking try not to peek in the oven by opening it because every time you peek, the temperature drops 25° F and requires additional energy to bring the temperature back up.
Consider a Natural Gas Range or Oven: Natural gas appliances cost less to operate than electric appliances and offer better temperature control conserving you more energy and you can actually cook with more specific heat preferences.
Put a Lid on it: Cook food and boil water in a covered container whenever possible. Putting a lid on it traps the heat and your food and water will actually boil faster since no heat is escaping.
Adjust the Water Level: Many of the newer washing machines have a setting where if your not doing a full load you can change the setting so the machine uses less water and energy. Make sure to turn this setting on so you save water and energy.
Run Full Loads: Always run a full load in your washer or dryer. Running a partial load uses the same amount of energy as a full load but you get less done. If you have to run smaller loads make sure to follow the steps provided in the tip above.
Wash Laundry in Warm or Cold Water: Washing laundry with warm or cold water works your water heater less. Use hot water only when the greatest cleaning is needed or if you don’t want to make that sacrifice you can cycle it so that on the first rinse it uses warm water and on the second it uses cold water. Also warm water fades dark colors.
Rinse in cold water: The temperature of the Rinse water has no effect on cleaning. If you rinse with cold water you can save more energy because you are heating less water.
Place the Washer Close to the Water Heater: When water flows through the pipes it is losing heat. If you place your washer close to the water heater it will have a shorter distance to travel meaning the water doesn’t cool down as much. You can also insulate the pipes between the washer and the heater which will help retain more heat.
Don’t Dry Clothes Excessively: A lot of the older dryers simply dry clothes for a certain time limit. If you are looking to purchase a new dryer look for a model that will actually stop once it senses that the clothes is dry. Drying laundry excessively uses more energy and is harder on your fabrics.
Clean the Lint Filter: After each load clean the filter to keep the dryer running efficiently. Also, periodically check the air vent and hose for clogging. Keeping the air vent and hose free of lint prevents a fire hazard.
Repair Dripping Faucets Promptly: If you have a leaking faucet anywhere in your house make sure to put that at the top of your list for things that need to be fixed. If the faucet leaks hot water, the energy used to heat it is costing you money. (One drop a second can waste up to 48 gallons a week!)
Install a Water Softener: If you have hard water think about installing a water softener to prevent mineral deposits from coating the elements. This helps prolong water heater life and saves energy and money.
Use a Humidifier: Humidity makes you feel warmer in colder months. With the proper humidity level, you’ll be able to turn your thermostat down to a lower temperature, save energy and still feel comfortable. About 20 percent to 40 percent relative humidity is recommended.
Remove Moisture With a Dehumidifier: Use a dehumidifier in the warmer more humid months. Less humidity helps you feel cooler so that way you don’t have to go so cold on the air conditioner setting and you save energy. A dehumidifier works best when air can circulate freely through it so place it away from walls and bulky furniture.
Use ENERGY STAR Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent light bulbs last longer and use up to 75 percent less energy than standard light bulbs. You can cut your electric bill by $60 per year if you replace the standard bulbs in your five most frequently used light fixtures. Also the newer bulbs not only use less energy but last longer saving you even more money.
Use Natural Lighting: Open curtains and shades during the day instead of using lighting. Consider skylights and solar tubes during remodeling or new construction design. This allows the maximum use of natural daylight.
Use a single High-Watt Bulb: Instead of using multiple lights or lamps to illuminate a room use one higher powered bulb or lamp. By using simply one bulb which is brighter you save more energy then if you would light multiple bulbs that aren’t as bright.
Control Outdoor Lighting: Leaving out door lights on all day consumes a lot of energy that is not needed. To make sure that your bulb is only on when the sun goes down consider purchasing a photocell or a timer.
Turn Off Lights: Turn off lights when not in use, even if its only for short periods of time when doing this constantly and daily it slowly begins to add up.
Get Your Unit Tuned Up: Have your central air conditioner tuned up by a qualified heating contractor every other year. This can help the unit operate more efficiently and may prevent failures in the middle of peak cooling season.
Keep the Sun Out: Closing blinds, shades and drapes on the sunny side of your home during the day will help keep the house cooler, causing the air conditioner to use less energy in bringing the temperature to a comfortable level.
Cool Only The Rooms in Use: When you have your AC or heater on make sure to close unused rooms to keep the cooled or heated air where you need it the most. By leaving the doors open you are forcing the unit to work to change the entire houses temperature.
Keep Vents Clear: When laying out the furniture in your home make sure to keep the furniture and drapes away from the air vents. This allows the cool air to move out into the rooms and keeps your air conditioner from running more than necessary.
Turn Off Electronics You Are Not Using: When you are done watching T.V. or using your computer make sure to turn them off when you are done because not only do they use more energy and also produce more heat. Extra heat requires more energy to power the air conditioner and increases cooling costs.
Use The Microwave: Cook using your microwave oven rather than your standard oven or range. It creates less heat and humidity in your home also it takes longer for you to pre-heat your stove or oven then when using a microwave oven.
Don’t Make More Heat. If you can, delay chores that produce heat and moisture until the cooler parts of the day or evening. Limit dish washing, laundry and cooking on hot, humid days. These activities make your room more uncomfortable and require your air conditioner to work harder.
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