Bright Ideas for Saving Energy

With seemingly every home and company going green these days, it’s hard not to be aware of how much energy we use. More people than ever are using energy saving practices at home, in the garden, and on the road. Even if conservation isn’t your cause, energy saving practices put into use at home can save you money every month. With everyone tightening their belts, those few extra dollars saved can go a long way.

There are a few ways you can make energy conservation fun.

First, plan a meeting with your family every so often to discuss ways each of you can save energy at home. Discussions, reminders, and brainstorming can be a huge step toward implementing a plan that works for everyone.

Monitor your household energy usage between meetings, and make a game out of saving energy. Reluctant members of the household can be incentivized for ideas on how to conserve and steps they make toward reaching the household goal of energy savings. Keep track of energy bills and how much you’re saving every month. Think of it as a high score to keep you moving towards more energy saving measures!

Many simple things can be done to save energy without being a major inconvenience as well.

Turn off the TV, computer, VCR, stereo or radio when not in use. Turn off the water when brushing teeth or shaving, and don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.

Another simple step is to activate the “sleep” feature of your home office equipment (PC, fax, printer, scanner, monitor) so they automatically power down when not in use. If you don’t use some office equipment on a daily basis, turn it off completely until you actually need to use it.

Heating and Cooling Accounts for 45% of Your Utilities

And for seasonal comfort, heating and cooling accounts for roughly 45% of your utility bill and offers the greatest opportunity to save on energy costs.

Try adjusting the thermostat gradually in small degrees. Contrary to popular belief, your home won’t heat or cool faster by cranking up the thermostat. Changing the air filter every other month will also keep the air conditioner running smoothly; keeping the home cool without the unit having to overwork it.

Keep furniture and drapes away from the air returns in centrally air-conditioned homes to increase the energy efficiency of your system. This will keep your home as warm or cool as it should be without needless blockades in the way of air flow.

Major appliances add extra heat to your home and make the air conditioner work harder. Operating them in the morning or evening when it’s cooler outside will help to ease the burden on your air conditioning system.

Ceiling fans are also more energy efficient at circulating air than turning on your central air conditioning. If you have ceiling fans in your home, try using the central AC less and using ceiling fans and open windows to help move air around your space.

Winters in places like New Orleans aren’t known for being particularly brutal!

Since winters in the greater New Orleans area aren’t known for being particularly brutal, another useful conservation plan is to try adding an extra blanket for warmth instead of cranking up the heat while sleeping.

Taking a little time to make minor adjustments around the home and doing a little research can go a long way. Experiment in your household to see what works best for you!