In late 2009, world leaders met in Copenhagen, Denmark, to discuss a topic that they argued could no longer be ignored — global warming. They cited that oceans were rising due to warming climates and that many major nations needed to adopt energy saving technology in order to lower the amount of pollutants they were currently emitting into the environment. However, not just world leaders and major corporations are being pushed to make changes. Many people have already begun to look for ways that they can reduce their own detrimental impact on the environment. And, many activists have argued that one of the best places to start the energy saving crusade is at home.
As the owner of B&J Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Inc., Mark Wethington has been promoting the importance of “going green” even before it became so popular. After noticing how much energy was being wasted in the many homes he and his team visited each year, he devised a few ways for his customers to make their homes more sustainable:
- Plug your sink when you are washing fruits or vegetables rather than letting the water continuously run.
- Switch to low-water consumption toilets. You will be saving lots of water and there won’t be a decrease in water pressure.
- Install aerators on your faucets. The device mixes water and air to reduce the amount of water used.
- Water your lawn less often. And when you do water your lawn, do so in the early morning or evening so less water is evaporated.
- Install back-up solar systems, which provide your home with extra energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Look for environmentally conscience laundry detergent.
- Use detergent with a lower pH balance.
- Buy low-energy light bulbs.
- Replace old drafty windows with new, energy-efficient ones.
- Plug your appliances into power strips that can be turned off when you don’t need them.
As an added bonus, the energy you save by following some of these guidelines will add money to your wallet. Wethington estimates that 70% of your home’s energy bills are consumed by home heating and cooling, including heating your water. So now, you can expect that your bills, along with your carbon footprint, will be substantially lower.
