Easy Steps Towards Energy Efficiency
In this era of global warming and imminent climate change, the high carbon emissions are directly related to increased energy consumption. However simple measures such as minimizing the use of electricity and use of energy-efficient systems can lead to collective energy savings contributing to reduced carbon footprint.
As lighting can account for 15% of total electricity use in a home or office just turning off unused lights while leaving the room or for commercial establishments installing motion sensors to turn lights off when the space remains vacant for certain time can make considerable difference. Alongside replace incandescent light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) which last longer and use one-fourth as much energy as incandescent bulbs. Plus, incandescent bulbs give off 90% of their energy in heat while CFLs give off little heat. In addition the most recent Light-emitting diode or LED lights are also becoming widely available for uses around the home. A mercury-free LED light can last about 50 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
Apart from light fixtures use of certified or energy star rated appliances can substantially reduce wasted energy. Generally, laptop computers use less energy than desktop computers and LCD monitors use less energy than CRT screens. Also consider what to do with equipment when its useful life is finished. Some manufacturers offer take-back or recycling.