Posted: April 1, 2019, 7:00 am
Celebrate Earth Day on April 22 by making small changes in your daily routines.
These simple steps are easy to check off and can have a big impact on both your budget and the earth.
- Look around your home for no-cost ways to be efficient. Close the curtains in the summer and open them in the winter. Turn off your computers overnight. Turn off video game consoles when they’re not being used. Better yet, keep them off and send the kids outside for fresh air.
- Look for small steps you can take. Caulk around drafty windows. Check the attic for the correct amount of insulation. Switch to LED lightbulbs. Plant a deciduous tree on the sunny side of your house; in a few years the leaves will cool your home against the sun in summer, then fall off to warm it in the winter. If you have a major appliance that is more than 10 years old—such as a refrigerator, washing machine or dryer—don’t repair it. The energy efficiency of a newer model will likely pay for itself with energy savings in a few years. Before buying any appliance, look for the Energy Star label, and learn to read it to compare products.
- Call PenLight about energy-saving programs. Your electric cooperative has ways to help you save, and can offer advice, appliance rebates or a home energy checkup. You might be surprised to find out what’s really driving up your energy costs.