As we move into the future, more and more of our energy will be created by renewable sources such as solar, wind, and water. That doesn’t mean that you should use less of your current energy sources, though – you should use them in tandem with the renewable sources to ensure that your energy needs are met while also reducing your environmental impact. Here are five easy tips that can help you do just that:
- MATCHING ENERGY SOURCES
One of the easiest ways to reduce your environmental impact is to choose energy sources that are similar in their carbon emissions. For instance, instead of using a generator that burns gas, you can use an efficient solar panel. Although an effective way to create energy, this method isn’t as effective as other methods since it produces pollution as well (not to mention the massive initial cost). However, if you are concerned about carbon emissions, then this is probably the best route for you.
- OPTIMIZING ENERGY USAGE
You can use a variety of techniques to use your energy more efficiently, including shutting off water valves and appliances when not in use, adjusting thermostat settings, replacing old light bulbs with halogen lights, and buying LEDs. Although these do take some extra legwork or upfront costs, they will not only help you save money in the long run but also cut down on carbon emissions.
- MULTIPLE ENERGY SOURCES
Although it’s always recommended to switch to solar panels as soon as possible (or at least before your energy needs are met), you should still make sure that you have a backup source. For instance, if you have solar panels and a generator, you can use the solar panels when the sun is out and use the generator when it isn’t. This allows you to reduce the amount of fossil fuels in your life while also enabling you to create energy on rainy days.
- CONSERVATION
It’s important that you don’t try to conserve energy on purpose – if you think about it, then it will come naturally to you! Since saving energy is good for your home and for the environment, this should be something that is practiced regularly anyway! It all comes down to how much work you want to put into reducing your impact – however much or little effort that takes is up to you.
- REDUCING POLLUTION
When it comes to creating sustainable energy sources, the first step is always to reduce the amount of pollution you produce in the first place. While this is a difficult concept for many people to grasp, it’s something that has been proven over and over again.
As we move toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, it will be important to use renewable energy and energy-efficient methods throughout our lives. Although these tips won’t completely reduce all of your carbon emissions, they can help you make small changes that will have a vast impact on the environment! By pairing renewable energy with traditional sources, you are able to create a more sustainable lifestyle while also cutting down on carbon emissions! You can learn more about sustainability at the Environmental Energy Technologies Division (EETD) website.