Reducing Energy Consumption through Low-Energy Options and Choice

Electricity fuels many of the items we rely upon in our life. The variety of appliances relying on electricity is massive, yet we don't always think about the amount of power they're consuming and the ways we can minimize this consumption.

Humans have historically depended on fossil fuels which create greenhouse gasses when used. Recently, renewable energy sources have been on the rise and are a booming new way to provide power to a large number of people. They utilize energy sources that are constantly renewing themselves, like solar energy, wind, moving water, or natural sources of heat, meaning they'll always be available. Plus, unlike fossil fuels, these energy sources run clean! Finally, these renewable sources of energy can provide remote areas with a steady source of power, boosting welfare and productivity (Ellaban, Abu-Rub, & Blaabjerg, 2014). While they are constantly being improved, it's important for developers and researchers to find ways to minimize their environmental impacts while optimizing their efficiency.

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Some of the major appliances we use at home can be adjusted to minimize consumption and save costs.

For instance, when using your thermostat to regulate your home's temperature, Energy.gov recommends setting the temperature to 78*F in the Summer and 68*F in Winter to minimize energy consumption and save money (Energy.gov, n.d.). Keeping your home at these temperatures will minimize heat transfer between it and the outdoors, keeping the temperature rather steady and minimizing the amount of energy your thermostat requires to keep your place comfortable (Energy.gov, n.d.).

Washing a load of dishes? Using a modern, energy-efficient model can reduce consumption and improve efficiency. The Guardian's Eco Appliances article pertaining to dishwashers recommends waiting until you have a full load to do the dishes, and to utilize energy-saving settings to minimize water, detergent, and energy-use (Kenyon, 2014). This works for most occasions where your dishes are moderately dirty. The article further recommends that if you've got a half-load or less of dishes to clean, consider doing them by hand, saving yourself from using more water than you need to (Kenyon, 2014).

How about laundry? Did you know that rinsing clothes does NOT require hot water, or that warm to cold settings are enough for most loads (Bond, 1999)? Annie Bond (2012) recommends using full loads for both washer and dryer to minimize energy use and maximize efficiency, being sure to dry like-clothes together and to utilize existing dryer heat between loads to reduce heating cost. Remember the blog post about conserving water? If you collect water during your day, use it to fill your laundry machine! This will reduce the amount of water the machine needs to use to get the job done.

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We all use televisions and computers in our lives. Well, some simple habits can reduce your energy use. Turn off the TV if you're not watching it, or utilize energy-saving features on your TV to save energy (uSwitch, n.d.). If you're using a computer or laptop, turn it off when you're done for the day and unplug it once it's fully charged (uSwitch, n.d.). No need to put additional stress on the battery and overcharge it!

There are so many ways to save. Switch to energy-efficient lighting in your home and plug in only as many as you need, turn off appliances and unplug them once you're done using them, turn use natural sources to heat or cool your home, like opening a window for a cooling breeze or opening your shades to allow sunlight to warm your home, and more.

If you're curious, do a quick google search about energy efficiency for a product you use, and see which ways you can reduce energy consumption. At work, turn off your computer at the end of the day, and make sure nothing is running that doesn't need to be. Show your friends and family how you're saving power, and see what they can do to reduce their energy consumption!

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