While you might hear a lot about renewable energy sources such as solar power and wind farms, the harsh reality is that, at present, the majority of energy that is used to heat our homes, propel our automobiles, and power our appliances, still comes from our rapidly dwindling fossil fuel resources. While some people have chosen to bury their heads in the sand over the environmental issues raised by the continued burning of fossil fuels for energy, the rising cost of energy caused by the increasing scarcity of fossil fuels has affected everyone in recent years. It has become vitally important, therefore, to try to conserve energy as much as possible, at least until renewable energy becomes a viable reality. So if you’re looking to do your bit for the environment, and want to save some money into the bargain, here are a few handy hints to get you started:
Turning your air conditioning up by a few degrees can save you a huge amount of money, without leaving you sweltering in the heat. Switching it from 72 degrees Fahrenheit to 78 can cut your energy bills in half, and you’ll hardly notice the difference. In winter, you don’t have to turn your heating off entirely just to save money on your utilities.
Simply cutting the temperature on your central heating by one or two degrees can make a substantial difference to your bill. Keep your air conditioning filters clean, to ensure that they are working at maximum efficiency. Don’t heat or cool unoccupied rooms, and turn it off entirely when you are out of the home, unless there is a danger that your pipes could freeze, in which case you should set it to a low heat.
Use fans and portable heaters to complement your air conditioning or central heating. You don’t need to control the climate of your whole house if you are only going to be using a small part of it. On a bright day, opening your blinds but keeping your windows closed can help to heat your home by trapping heat from the sun’s rays, without exposing you to the chilling effects of the wind. On summer nights, opening windows can cool your home just as effectively as air conditioning, without costing you a penny. Make sure that your home is properly wind and water tight.
Fixing minor holes in your roof and pipes can cut up to 10% from your heating bill. Insulating your loft is one of the best ways to keep heat inside your home. Rockwool insulation can be bought very cheaply from DIY stores, and there are sometimes grants available from the government to help with the costs. Modern gas boilers are a whole lot more fuel efficient than their older counterparts, thanks to advances in technology and strict new energy efficiency legislation. A new boiler could pay for itself within a matter of years, in terms of the money it could save you on your gas bill.
