I read an article in BBC News on how water use in the home contributes to carbon dioxide emissions. A link to the full article is below. Because a large percentage of home energy use is associated with heating water, the article includes suggestions on energy-efficient ways of doing laundry, washing dishes (hint – washing dishes by hand is usually not the most energy-efficient way), washing cars, taking showers and baths, and washing hands. The article does not really mention the additional energy needed to move and treat water before it comes to your home and to treat it after use, except for this one sentence – “The energy needed to move, treat, and use water in the US for both residential and commercial purposes produces nearly 290 million metric tonnes of CO2 annually – the equivalent of 5% of the nation’s overall carbon emissions.” Changing how we use water in our homes is one significant way we as individuals can impact the environment in a good way.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200326-the-hidden-impact-of-your-daily-water-use
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In many areas of the northern hemisphere, it’s already time to start up the air conditioners. My utility company says the air conditioner’s energy use can be reduced by up to 15 percent by performing simple maintenance tasks. Clean or change air filters, both in the house and outside. Check the air conditioner’s evaporator coil, which should be cleaned annually. Clean the screens around the air conditioner and clear vegetation growing around the unit so it receives good air flow. Setting your thermostat a couple degrees higher will also save energy.
Some utilities offer the opportunity to add a controller to your air conditioner so it can briefly be cycled off during peak use times to reduce energy use. My utility company has discontinued this, but perhaps your utility company still has this program. This link discusses fifty ideas for reducing your impact on the planet. I am still reading through the list, but have already found several I can use. I hope you find some that work for you.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/29/50-ways-to-green-up-your-life-save-the-planet |
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