Clean energy sources are the focus over here at Texas Green Rangers, but here we also like to find ways to reduce our usage of electricity!
By minimizing your reliance on electricity you can not only save the planet but also save some serious dough and who doesn’t like to save money? These ideas range from quick and easy fixes to home modifications that have been successful for others. Taking a small step and a few minutes out of your day can help you out in the long run so why not try a few of these out this summer:
Natural lighting in this living room allows the homeowners to rely entirely on the sun.
Our first one up isn’t one that can happen overnight but here we go. Natural lights in main rooms are both cost effective during the day and also allows you to light up your home with beautiful natural lighting. This is a big commitment so one should seriously consider it, but they make a space look spacious and breezy! If a large window isn’t your style, there are also options to have a light that looks as though it is an electric light but really it is a tube from the roof allowing natural light in. With built in solar panels you are able to turn the lights on at night, and dim the brightness in the day if you want to. A company in Austin that does installations of this company is called SolarTex, so check them out if this peaks your interest as a homeowner.
Next up, unplug electronics when you are not using them and at night! When you leave things like a TV plugged in they are called “energy vampires.” This term was coined because when those devices are left plugged in then they are constantly drawing energy 24/7. If you have devices like this that are easily accessible for you to unplug then it could save you anywhere from 100-200 dollars every year!
No energy vampires welcome here.
Try out a programmable thermostat. This tool allows you to set your air conditioning to how you want it during the day when you aren’t home. In Texas air conditioning is extremely important, and we know that. It is proven that if you set your thermostat just a few degrees warmer during the day rather than completely off you can save money. This is because when your AC is set all the way off it has to use more energy to cool the space back down. When it is at a regulated temperature it is easier to cool when you get home. A programmable thermostat makes this process easier for homeowners because if you get home at 5 PM you can have the temperature start to cool back down at 4 PM. We found some reputable thermostat brands for you, The Nest ($249) and the Ecobee ($169).
Summer is coming and we know that puts a strain on wallets and air conditioners. These are all ways that you can save both money and electricity in the coming warm months. We encourage you to try them out and tell us what you think on our twitter @TXGreenRangers1. Good luck with your energy saving tools!