The sun will continue to give us energy from now until the day it explodes, millions and millions of years from the present. Most of this energy simply dissipates into the atmosphere or is absorbed on the ground. With the proliferation of solar panels and ever-cheapening technology, humanity has an opportunity to harness this energy more than ever before.

Solar energy is a wise investment. It is available in abundance, and will never deplete. For homes, offices, and businesses alike, as well as on a variety of products, solar is the way of the future.

1. Lower the heat during the winter just a few degrees and dress more warmly to reduce heating costs.
2. Make sure the house has adequate insulation and use double-pane windows or storm windows to decrease heat loss.
3. Turn off unused lights and replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs.
4. Unplug chargers and appliances with small lights when not in use.
5. Keep garage doors shut to reduce heat loss.
6. Wash clothes in cold water.
7. Use the dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes.
8. Maintain humidity at a moderate level so house feels warmer.

Making minor changes in the way energy is used can result in substantial savings.

1. In older homes ductless air conditioning systems are the norm. When purchasing a window air conditioner you should base the size of the unit on the size of the area you’re looking to cool. Don’t buy something that’s too big for the room or you’ll be spending money for nothing.

2. Replace older units that aren’t as efficient. The world is going green and manufacturers have felt the pressure to make everything more efficient. This is especially true for large appliances like air conditioners. Spend a little now to save a lot over time.

3. Close the shades or blinds on the sunny side of the house. You’d be surprised how much the sun can heat a room. Ensure that your air conditioner isn’t working harder than it has to by keeping the sun out.

4. Grill more! Most people probably don’t need to be told this twice, but it’s true. Do as much of your cooking outside as possible. Running the oven or range adds unnecessary heat to the home. This goes for things like lights and computers as well.

5. Close off rooms that you rarely use or don’t use at all. Why pay to cool a space you’re not going to be in?

Follow these 5 easy steps and start saving money on your air conditioning costs today.

There are several ways to use renewable sources of energy and to reduce the amount of energy used. In a home, this may be as simple as replacing regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. This requires only a small investment and can save significant amounts of money in the long run. With a larger investment, home and business owners can install solar panels to generate electricity in a renewable manner.

Sustainable transport can be achieved by choosing an environmentally friendly vehicle and driving as little as possible. Individuals can purchase hybrid electric cars to reduce their gas consumption and take a bus, bike, walk, and carpool when possible. Research to improve the efficiency of biofuels may have a significant impact on this area in the future.

A sustainable approach to building or remodeling homes and businesses can make a significant difference in the building’s effects on the environment. Choosing materials from plants that grow quickly such as bamboo or rubber reduces the irreversible damage done to rain forests. Light energy and water conservation can save the owners money in the long term.

Sustainable technology solutions are accessible to anyone and can fit any budget. Small changes in equipment and habits can make a large difference overall. By implementing some of these changes, our nonrenewable resources can be more effectively conserved for future use.

We’d like to thank Miss Sue Lang on this great contribution to our website.