Have you ever considered what powers your electricity? The majority of the electricity in the united states comes from fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal burning). This created approximately 33% of the CO2 emissions in 2018*.
There are other, environmentally sustainable ways to produce electricity. However, these are much less common in day-to-day use. Because this blog is about small steps you can take to reduce your environmental impact, we will not be discussing making major changes like installing solar panels or a wind mill to offset the majority of your electricity usage (although that is an option).
If you want to make a small change in your electricity source, you could change your source with your electric company. Many locations offer alternative providers with solar/wind/hydro options to cover part of your electricity usage. Another option (one which I like to use) is purchasing a small solar panel and battery pack. I keep my solar panel in the back of my car under the windshield so that it gets the most sun light possible without having direct exposure to the elements. You will want to use a battery pack with the solar panel rather than plugging your electronic devices directly into the solar panel itself because the power source is inconsistent, which is bad for your battery. I have listed a few options I have used and would recommend below**.
Of course there are also the obvious (mostly free) options for saving electricity, which will in turn save you money on your monthly bills:
Turn off the lights
When you leave a room, do not leave lights, fans, electronics, etc. running. Although these are minimal electricity users, they do add up.
Unplug appliances
Even when your appliances are not in use, they still draw electricity when they are plugged in. Items such as coffee makers, blenders, air fryers, etc. can be unplugged when not in use in order to prevent these "energy vampires" from drawing electricity unnecessarily.
Cook more
Food prepping for the week is a great way to use less electricity (especially if you have an electric stove/oven), and it also helps you cut back on your food waste. Cooking all at one time reduces the overall amount of time you spend in the kitchen each week and prevents you from having to preheat your oven/stove each time you cook, cutting back on your overall electricity (or gas) usage.
Speaking of cooking
Use smaller appliances if you can. Using an instant pot, air fryer, microwave, or toaster oven draws less electricity than heating your entire oven, and the amount of time/energy required to preheat these products is significantly shorter, making it a win-win because no one wants to be in the kitchen all day.
Change your curtains
The curtains you use can impact how much electricity you are using for heating/cooling in your home. Thicker curtains are good for both outdoor noise reduction and energy usage reduction. They provide insulation for your home and help reduce the cold/hot air from getting into your home.
Invest in Power Savers
There are so many appliances which can reduce your electric bill because they use draw less electricity to run. Energy star appliances are marked in stores, and you can frequently see how much you will save on your bills annually in comparison to appliances which do not have the Energy Star certification.
**Any purchase you make using one of the affiliate links above will provide me with a small commission but does not affect the price you pay for the item.
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