10 Ways to Reduce Your Energy Consumption

Helloooo October (also known as national energy awareness month)! This month we'll be talking all about energy and ways to reduce energy consumption. We all have heard saving energy reduces carbon emissions, but it also improves your quality of life, improves your financial savings & increases energy security! Just like with all lifestyle changes, you have to start somewhere. Here are some of our easy-to-implement ideas:

1. Walking or biking instead of driving...this simple act cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change, as well as reduces air pollutants (walking & biking emit no greenhouse gases = immediate quality of life improvement). It also reduces noise pollution and congestion which is particularly beneficial for wildlife. It also saves you money over time, even when just going a few blocks. These 'mini' commutes add up when you make them 5, 6 ,7 times a week. And of course, walking or biking saves on gas and vehicle maintenance in the long run.

2. Be mindful of water usage - turn the water off while you're scrubbing your hands or brushing your teeth and try to reduce your shower time, even by as little as 1 minute. Only run the washer and dishwasher when you have a full load!

3. Speaking of laundry, there are multiple ways to save both energy and water while doing laundry. See our post Low Waste Laundry for helpful tips!

4. Establish loyalty with airlines that are doing their part in reducing carbon emissions. Delta Airlines and JetBlue are among the the first to commit to becoming carbon neutral airlines and started the conversion process in March of this year.

5. Pay attention to the shipping policies of your favorite online stores as well! Many companies have agreed to using only carbon neutral shipping, and this will usually be advertised on their website. UPS has begun labeling all packages that were sent by an individual or company that requested carbon neutral shipping.

6. Eat in season produce! Typically produce that is in season was obtained locally, because it's readily accessible by farmers in the area. Produce that is not in season has to be shipped worldwide from areas where climate permits the fruit or vegetable to be grown year round.

7. Get involved in local politics concerning energy usage plans. Figure out what legislation is being passed in your area that relates to this issue and stay informed so that you can vote for cleaner energy! But remember...just because it's called "clean energy" doesn't mean the practice producing the clean energy source is sustainable, so really do your research!

8. Cut back on your use of one time plastics. While recycling is an option in most U.S. cities, it unfortunately isn't always reliable because people aren't typically aware of their city's recycling rules. This means that much of what people put in the recycling bin actually ends up in the landfill because one misrecycled item ruins the entire load. Check out our ideas for one time use plastic alternatives and if you do rely on recycling, be sure to know your city's rules!

9. Unplug or turn off your devices when you aren't using them. Instead of leaving your desktop computer on screensaver mode, power it down completely. Unplug phone chargers, small kitchen appliances, and hair tools from the wall unless you're using them.

10. Invest in energy-efficient home appliances. This one requires a bit more time (research) and money. Tune into our next post for a list of our favorites!