When we talk about energy efficiency, the focus is often on how saving energy will save you money. While it certainly can do that, there’s another benefit to energy efficiency that’s important to talk about: It also lowers your impact on the environment.
When it comes to helping the environment, some things are obvious, such as recycling and switching to walking or riding a bike in place of driving when possible (or switching to an electric vehicle). But saving energy at home is also good for the environment.
How can saving energy be good for the environment?
When you use less power at home, there’s less demand for energy from the power plant. This reduces power plant emissions and decreases demand for the natural resources that would otherwise be used to create this power.
As each home in the Valley becomes more energy efficient, we collectively contribute to a healthier and more sustainable environment — and it doesn’t have to be difficult. Even a small change can have a big impact.
According to ENERGY STAR®, if every American home replaced just one lightbulb with one LED bulb, we would prevent 7 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year. That’s $580 million per year in energy costs and is equivalent to the emissions from nearly 700,000 cars!
Home energy-saving tips that also help the environment:
- Replace your old incandescent lightbulbs with LEDs.
- Find and destroy energy vampires with advanced power strips.
- Install a smart thermostat to track and optimize your energy use.
- Find and repair leaky ducts.
- Install shade screens on your west-, south- and east-facing windows. Do it yourself or have them professionally installed.
- Plant shade trees in your yard.
- Increase your pool’s energy efficiency by installing a variable-speed pool pump, keeping your filter and basket(s) clean and your chemicals balanced.
- Weatherize your doors and windows.
- If you’re house hunting, consider an SRP ENERGY STAR Home.
While you’re doing your part to save energy and the environment, we’re working toward a cleaner energy mix. This includes reducing our coal generation and increasing our use of renewable sources.