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9 November 2020Learn How To Have A More Energy Efficient Home
Can clean energy save the world?
For once, we will start with the answer: No!
Clean energy is not exactly clean… It is cleaner. Cleaner than oil, cleaner than coal, and, depending on the point of view, cleaner than nuclear.
Most renewable energy sources are considered clean because they do not use any fuel, they burn nothing: No coal, no gas, no oil, no uranium. Solar energy is using the sun’s energy, wind energy is using… Well actually also the sun’s energy! Brought to us by air streams (Yes, air streams are due to temperature contrasts, and those latter are due to… Sunlight!).
We need to pollute to produce the solar panels, as well as produce the wind turbines, and the hydroelectric dams… So does that mean that going renewable and “clean” is wrong? No, of course not: Those energy sources are producing electricity in a much, much cleaner way than coal or oil based thermal power plants. But they are not 100% clean, that means that, if we continue growing the energy consumption blindly, we will reach a point where we consume so much renewable electricity, that it will pollute the planet too much.
So… What should we do? Well, it’s as simple as the words saving, efficiency, moderation…
Earlier this month was the World Energy Efficiency day: And because at Eedama we promote reasonable and rational use of anergy, because when we talk about renewable, we always say “The main source of energy we have on this planet is the one we don’t use”, and because we believe in using the planet's resource respectfully and reasonably, we believe in and promote efficiency!
Efficiency means designing a house that will not use energy as if it had no impact. It means using lamps that are efficient, even if they are a bit more expensive, because in the long run both the user and the planet/city will benefit. Efficiency goes beyond the big picture and into the details.
Speaking of the details, here are a few tips to be energy efficient in your home!
For once, we will start with the answer: No!
Clean energy is not exactly clean… It is cleaner. Cleaner than oil, cleaner than coal, and, depending on the point of view, cleaner than nuclear.
Most renewable energy sources are considered clean because they do not use any fuel, they burn nothing: No coal, no gas, no oil, no uranium. Solar energy is using the sun’s energy, wind energy is using… Well actually also the sun’s energy! Brought to us by air streams (Yes, air streams are due to temperature contrasts, and those latter are due to… Sunlight!).
We need to pollute to produce the solar panels, as well as produce the wind turbines, and the hydroelectric dams… So does that mean that going renewable and “clean” is wrong? No, of course not: Those energy sources are producing electricity in a much, much cleaner way than coal or oil based thermal power plants. But they are not 100% clean, that means that, if we continue growing the energy consumption blindly, we will reach a point where we consume so much renewable electricity, that it will pollute the planet too much.
So… What should we do? Well, it’s as simple as the words saving, efficiency, moderation…
Earlier this month was the World Energy Efficiency day: And because at Eedama we promote reasonable and rational use of anergy, because when we talk about renewable, we always say “The main source of energy we have on this planet is the one we don’t use”, and because we believe in using the planet's resource respectfully and reasonably, we believe in and promote efficiency!
Efficiency means designing a house that will not use energy as if it had no impact. It means using lamps that are efficient, even if they are a bit more expensive, because in the long run both the user and the planet/city will benefit. Efficiency goes beyond the big picture and into the details.
Speaking of the details, here are a few tips to be energy efficient in your home!
Tip 1: Adjust your day-to-day behaviors
Behavior adjustments are great for utility savings and lowering energy usage. Things such as using your air conditioner less in the summer or monitoring your water usage are important factors to take notice of. Always ask yourself, do I really need to do this? Such as, do I need to turn on the AC? Maybe I can open a window if the weather is nice? Consider your actions, adjust your behavior, and make new habits!
Tip 2: Smart design
A smart home helps to reduce your energy usage. Stop worrying about a light or an AC that you forgot on. With all the technology we have nowadays, you can find many smart design devices that are energy efficient. For example, did you know that heating and cooling consume more energy than any other appliance in the home, using a smart thermostat helps save energy within the household. The device gives you the ability to monitor and adjust your home’s temperature. Additionally, smart lighting is also beneficial, as it uses 90% less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs.
Tip 3: Reduce your waste
There are so many ways to reduce waste at home. The easiest way is to think in terms of the 3 Rs! Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Reducing always comes first, reduce plastic bags by replacing them with a cloth shopping bag. Reduce your use of plastic bottles with a reusable stainless bottle. Next is reusing, and like reducing it’s pretty simple, as easy as reusing a plastic bag as a trash bag, or donating clothes and toys for someone else to use! Finally, recycling, which can be done by sorting your trash; plastic, metal, glass, even compost!
Earlier this month was the World Energy Efficiency day: And because at Eedama we promote reasonable and rational use of energy, because when we talk about renewable, we always say “The main source of energy we have on this planet is the one we don’t use”, and because we believe in using the planet's resource respectfully and reasonably, we believe in and promote efficiency!
From The Alliance to Save Energy Blog.
Mariam Radwan
Sustainability Instructor at Eedama.
