Energy conservation is the decision and practice of using less energy. This is an important part of reducing global warming/climate change. A way to do this is to be more mindful of the energy users.
Turning off the light when leaving a room, unplugging appliances when they’re not being used, and walking instead of driving are examples of energy conservation. Two main reasons are to gain more control over the energy bill and reduce the demand of the earth’s natural resources.
We can use technology that requires less energy to perform the same function to conserve energy. Turning down the refrigerator can account for as much as 13.7% of the total household energy use. To increase energy savings set the fridge to 37ºF and the freezer to 3ºF. Using energy-efficient light bulbs can save 25-35% of energy compared to regular incandescent bulbs. Cleaning or replacing air filters as it is recommended also helps for conserving energy.
Doing full loads of laundry gets the most energy-saving use from each run cycle. The use of smart power strips gives the ability to shut down appliances that have gone into standby mode helps to cut down on phantom-load costs. Air-drying dishes and clothes help lessen the load of electricity. Cooking with the correct burner size allows for there to be less waste produced. During the winter and summer months it is important to make sure to check for cracks and gaps to seal them up, along with making sure to keep the doors closed when they do not need to be open. Keeping your house a little warmer in the summer and a little cooler in the winter will also keep the energy usage lower.
Another good guideline is to follow the four P’s: planning, pacing, prioritizing, and positioning. Utilizing these can reduce the amount of energy being used which helps keep down the cost of energy and helps save the Earth.
Global Environmental Change 