Climate change is on everyone’s minds, especially after the recent climate disaster Hurricane Sandy. To combat climate change, people are going green, using greener energy, and all the while saving money. This article will help you go green quickly, simply and easily. You will see the savings in energy on your bills, since you will be using less energy. Work on an energy-saving tip at a time, and pretty soon you will be saving money and also will be energy efficient.
Light bulbs are a major residential energy drain. According to the US Energy Information Administration, in 2007, incandescent light bulbs were responsible for 15.6 percent of American energy usage. Since compact fluorescent [CFL] bulbs use seventy-five percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, replacing light bulbs is an easy and quick way to reduce energy consumption. Another energy benefit is that CFL or LED lights last much longer than incandescent bulbs, often by a factor of twenty.
Energy Star appliances are rated by the EPA, and it makes it easy to compare energy drains. Typically, they save about a third on energy usage compared with the traditional appliance. Be on the look out for the Energy Star rating, and start saving energy today! According to the EPA, Americans save $18 billion each year just by using these energy efficient appliances. In addition, Energy Star appliances often qualify for tax incentives, which benefits all of us.
Each tree absorbs fifteen pounds of carbon annually. Each American generates about two tons of carbon dioxide each year, as a result of their energy usage. Every tree and every plant will help offset your carbon output [sometimes known as your carbon footprint]. You will go green and help the environment with each tree you plant.
A gallon of gasoline produces fourteen pounds of carbon when it is burned. Each time you slice a mile off your journey, you will be saving on carbon. There are a lot of ways to drive less: carpool, organize errands, take mass transit, buy a more efficient car and stay home. Your carbon footprint is visibly shrinking!
Another easy next step to go green and become more energy efficient: reduce and recycle. A pound of paper has four pounds of carbon. If you recycle the paper, you will be saving energy. Another benefit is that recycled paper is less expensive, and some charities use paper drives as a fund raiser. Help the Scouts and save energy at the same time.
Reduce your consumption of water in bottles, try it from the tap. America uses 50 million barrels of oil each year to make these bottles for water. Each time you don’t drink from a plastic bottle, you help save the environment! There is a time and place for bottled water, but save wherever or whenever you can.
You can go green, a step at a time. Start today, and concentrate on the easy yet fun ways to save the environment. You will vividly see results, and this will encourage you to be even more energy saving and energy conscious. Kermit the Frog was one who sang about ‘Being Green’, and that can be our motto: it IS easy being green!