We have been granted a prize and an opportunity, to live on this extraordinary blue world, feeding on its vast resources. For millions of years, our ancestors have co-existed within this habitat without much impact either on its ecology or its environment. We have utilized all it had to offer from natural minerals to living creatures. Even the unseeable air we breathe in is a blessing in disguise which many of us disregard to acknowledge.
We are campaigning neither to stop all usage of natural resources nor to stop living comfortable lives. Instead, let us embrace few strategies through which we and our children can keep using whatever our mother earth has to offer for as long as possible.
Energy efficient living is a simple concept of living the natural life smartly so energy usage is reduced. It is about saving money and reducing environmental impact with absolutely no loss of service or level of comfort.
Things We Can Do to Save Energy
Use Efficient Lighting
- Sun is the best source of light and using it as much as possible is the smartest approach to take.
- Using efficient globes and installing motion sensors to turn on or off the lights
- Solar powered lighting in the garden or pathways would also be great.
Install Solar Power System
- Our infinite supply solar power fromt the sun is a great way to heat water in homes. It can greatly reduce water heating costs and supply 50 to 90 percent of hot water needs.
- Solar power system captures sun’s energy and converts to electricity. Once installed, it has low maintenance cost and provides own supply of electricity.
- These also increases the score in energy rating assessments to meet standards of House Energy Rating index in Australia.
Using Public Transport More Often
- This enormously reduces energy use, especially for car owners. Fuel, maintenance and parking costs will decrease. Starting small with a few trips weekly is enough to make a change.
- Utilizing these time by reading or researching can have impacts in both public and job life.
- If you drive, drive efficiently: this will reduce fuel cost and also cut down emissions.
Ways to drive efficiently:
- It is wise to shut off the engine while in a traffic jam or being stationary.
- Restarting uses less fuel then idling for some time.
- Not speeding saves burning of extra fuel and is safer.
- Driving smoothly and avoiding jerky style of acceleration and deceleration
- Removing extra weight out of the vehicle to make it lighter.
- Use air conditioners wisely.
- Turning on the AC when in higher speeds will reduce aerodynamic drag increasing efficiency.
Things We Can Do to Save Water
Use Water-efficient Appliances
Washing machines and dishwashers which reduce water usage and waste makes a big difference to the water bills.
Decreasing Spa and Pool Running Costs
- Pool pumps account for more than 16% of total household energy usage. A smaller pump with variable speed can bring it down sufficiently.
- Reducing every day pumping time and installing an auto on/off timer is cost effective. Manufacturer’s instructions or an industry specialist can provide knowledge on the required running time.
- Regularly cleaning the skimmer basket and pipes will relieve the pump of extra load, increasing both its longevity and usability.
- Pool or spa cover will reduce evaporation and heat loss. Up to 30,000 liters of water can be saved per year along with the chemicals.
Installing Rain Water Reservoir Tanks
Australia’s rarest natural resource must be conserved. This personal water supply can account for car washing, watering the garden and even flushing toilets. Having a rain water reservoir tank installed will furthermore boost the 6 star energy rating score.
Things We Can Do to Reduce Waste
Using Reused and Recycled Products
Products which have been previously used or have been recycled provide an opportunity to reduce manufacturing new waste materials, thus more energy and water is saved. It also encourages employment in the community by supporting recycling industry, repairers, artists and students.
Not Wasting Food
This has adverse effects on both the character of a person and also for the community. Wasting such valuable resource on which people’s lives depend upon is not a simple issue. Shopping sensibly and storing the food correctly proves a well-planned life.
Keeping Chickens in the Backyard
They help to reduce kitchen and food waste. Can fertilise the garden and also provides access to fresh eggs and meat.
Have a Worm Farm
This is an amazing tactic to turn organic kitchen waste into nutrient rich fertilizer for plants and the garden. Cost of using fertilisers are minimized.
Thus, we can live a life which promotes sustainability and care for this world in every step of our lives. Promoting and applying ecofriendly standards can bring about a change which will make everyone’s life much easier and comfortable, even for the generations to come.