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Many environmentalists say that the best way to reduce your carbon footprint is to change your perspective on energy and see it as something that is a gift, rather than an ever-present resource. At the same time, though, you should not make yourself miserable trying to save energy. For example, not air conditioning your home would save you plenty of money, but that is not a life worth living, especially during the hot summer months! An efficient home will pay for itself, even if you make investments in efficiency. According to the US Department of Energy, American homes use almost a quarter of the nation's total electricity. Much of this energy leaks through windows, old machinery, and inefficient behaviors like leaving the TV on while you are away from home. While it can seem like an instant expense or inconvenience to live a green lifestyle, the fact that most Americans spend around $2,200 per year on energy costs alone might convince you otherwise! As with most investments, you are spending an instant amount of time or money to improve your finances in the long run. There are many ways to do this for your entire home, all without having to make severe sacrifices like never using your oven. Here are 5 tips for having a comfortable home that is also efficient. Air Dry Clothes and Dishes Use the power of air drying instead of relying on artificial heat sources. While hanging your clothes to dry or letting your dishes air dry in the dishwasher might sound like old-fashioned behaviors, they can save you a great deal of money, and not just on your energy. Clothing will last longer, keep its color, and stay well-fitting if it is not exposed to a dryer, and certain dishes, especially fine china, must air dry. The intense heat of a drying cycle on a dishwasher can fade or even discolor them! Turn Things Off This one is simple: when you leave a room, turn everything off behind you. It only takes a few seconds to put a computer to sleep, unplug a charger, turn off the light and fan, switch off a surge protector, and then exit. However, these few seconds can have a huge impact on your utility bills! Also, committing to turning things off when you are out of a room prevents you from leaving an oven, iron, or computer on while you are gone for a long time, all of which can be fire hazards. Shower Instead of Bathing Taking showers instead of baths and using efficient shower heads not only saves you electricity, it also saves water! That means that with a one-time investment in a new shower head, you can slash your water and electricity bills for years to come! Upgrade to Energy-Star Items Replace household products and features with Energy Star items. Light bulbs, appliances, electronics, ceiling fans, and even beauty appliances like hair dryers can carry this seal of approval that informs you that a product saves energy. Even if a product is more expensive than a less efficient model, the energy waste that comes with inefficient machinery will add up to potentially double your original investment in the first 5 years of use! Efficient products save you money in the long run, plain and simple. Use Solar Power Last but not least, consider using a solar power system in Seattle to power your home. Solar power, the cleanest and most renewable form of energy out there, is so successful and powerful nowadays that you no longer have to rely on other forms of power! Solar power is so efficient and inexpensive that this change alone will drastically lower your energy costs. Again, this comes with a single purchase of a solar power system as well as rare maintenance costs. Of course, maintenance is required to upkeep your current electrical system as well. When you live efficiently and tell your friends and family to do so as well, you can essentially negate your carbon footprint on the world, securing the world's resources and natural beauty for your children and their posterity. Thankfully, a solar power system in Seattle will rely on sunlight as its sole power source, something that will always be around as long as humanity is.
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