How Renewable Energy Makes your Home Sustainable

Let us face it, we all know that we need to reduce some of the negative impacts on our home planet, but we may not want to invest a huge amount of time, money, or effort into the cause. Solar panels are expensive and not suitable for all homes. But there are practical things you can do in every room of the house to make your home life a little more comfortable.

• RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE LIVING ROOM

There are many rooms in your house, but the living room is where most of the activities take place. The first thing you need to do to turn green is to replace your light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights. You will save a lot of energy over the years and emit greenhouse gases. Second, be sure to plug out your TV and other electronic devices when not in use. Televisions are usually on standby for 17 hours a day. Save power by pulling out the plug. Third, instead of turning on the lights, open your blinds. By using sunlight, you can save a lot on heat and energy consumption.

• IN THE KITCHEN

The kitchen is always the heart of any home and with so many appliances running, it can be one of the most energy-sucking rooms in the house as well. Use these tips to ensure that you are as green as possible. First, make sure your fridge is in a shady part of the room and not touched by the natural sunlight so it can stay cooler without working as hard. Second, any time you replace appliances, get Energy Star Certified options to use less energy. And third, use your microwave instead of your oven when possible. You will use 50% less energy with this device.

•  IN THE BEDROOMS

Most houses have multiple bedrooms and each of them can save energy and contribute to renewable energy sources in several ways. First, ensure that the rooms have energy-efficient windows in them to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Second, get creative and repurpose old furniture instead of buying something new. And third, when you want to redecorate, use eco-paints that have low levels of organic compounds.

•  IN THE BATHROOMS

Bathrooms go through a lot of use in one day and you can save energy in that room as well. First, turn off the water any time you are not using it, like when you are brushing your teeth or shampooing your hair. Second, open the windows to get rid of humidity instead of using a fan. And third, fix any leaks when you notice them to cut back on water usage.

•  RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR YOUR WHOLE HOUSE

The best thing you can do for every room of the house at once is to use renewable energy for all your electricity. You will pay less and know that your carbon footprint is lessening.