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7 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home

Are you looking to incorporate ways to be more energy-efficient and decrease your carbon footprint? Homeowners across the country are taking steps to make changes both large and small as they reduce energy consumption. Changing lighting, upgrading appliances and using clean energy sources are among the seven suggestions individuals are starting on today.

LED Bulbs for Lower Energy Usage
Homeowners can light their homes for less money by swapping out traditional light bulbs for energy-efficient lighting such as LED bulbs. On top of using less energy, they also last longer than your traditional bulb. LED lightbulbs incorporate recent lighting standards and, when used as suggested, can save homeowners considerable amounts every year. LED bulbs can replace 40W, 60W and 75W incandescent bulbs.

In addition to choosing LED lighting, homeowners can use lighting controls and dimmers to save on electricity. Select products compatible with the LED bulbs. Finally, turn off lights when a room will not be used.

Choose ENERGY STAR Appliances
When it is time for a new appliance, such as a refrigerator, dishwasher, air conditioner unit or new furnace, choose appliances with the ENERGY STAR label. By using energyefficient appliances, residential and commercial property owners have saved almost $300 billion on energy bills. If you plan to sell in the near future, updated appliances can help your home sell at a higher price. Check for tax credits for even more savings.

Maintain the appliances purchased to reduce the amount of energy needed for optimal performance. Appliances requiring maintenance periodically include dishwashers, washer-dryers and HVAC systems. Try to run a dishwasher or dryer only for full loads and schedule any washing during off-peak periods to reduce energy consumption. Unplug appliances when they will not be used.

Check for Leaks
Drafty homes can leave owners spending more money to cool or heat a home. Being more energy-efficient can be as easy as sealing air-leaks and adding attic insulation. This can significantly reduce bills for owners. Have an assessment performed to identify any leaks in areas such as over windows or doors and take steps suggested to seal off leaks; caulk, insulate and/or weather strip

the area.

Use Less Water
Using less water in a home can be easily done. Taking shorter showers, not running the water when brushing teeth and choosing native plants for gardens are simple ways homeowners can reduce water consumption. In addition to these free and low-cost ways to decrease consumption, purchasing water-efficient shower heads, faucets heads, washing machines, dishwashers and toilets can save a homeowner a considerable amount of water.

Recycle and Reuse
It is believed that the “provision of goods” results in approximately 29 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. When homeowners choose to reuse, buy second hand or repair rather than buy new, they are helping to reduce the need to extract resources, manufacture, transport and dispose of goods. Various social media groups can help homeowners reuse, recycle and upcycle furniture, clothes and other goods.

Consider Solar Power
Not every homeowner may want to purchase a solar panel system but leasing is also an option which can cut energy costs for residents. Clean alternatives, such as solar, wind and geothermal, may be available for residential use in a specific area. In order to make solar panel installation more affordable, look into federal tax credits.

Go Healthy
Choosing a healthier lifestyle by reducing meat consumption, biking rather than taking the car, and even spending more time outdoors can translate to a smaller carbon footprint. Many of these free and low-cost tips can make it easy to save energy and resources, as well as cut energy costs. Even the bigger investments can pay for themselves over time. If you’re looking to save money, the environment, or both, these tips are all great places to start.

 

Written by Justin Havre

Visit Justin’s Page! http://www.calgaryhomesforsale.ca/blog/

Western Canadian Cities Turning to LED

Every year, there are more cities in the world that are making a commitment to switching over to LED lighting.

While it’s true that LED products have higher initial costs than conventional lights, over their working lives LEDs offer dramatic savings by greatly reducing electricity consumption, lamp replacement costs, and maintenance costs.

In Canada particularly, we’ve been working hard to raise the bar and creating more initiatives to switch to better energy consumption. To give you an idea of how widespread these initiatives are becoming, see how the larger cities in Western Canada are making the transformation.

Vancouver, British Columbia

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Vancouver was one of the first cities to adopt LED lighting for its energy efficiency.

In an effort to become Canada’s greenest city, Vancouver currently has many LED prototype/test installations for evaluating solar powered LED lighting, LED streetlights, and LED in public spaces or for artistic effect.

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Calgary, Alberta

LED Calgary Alberta

Calgary is always looking for ways to reduce electricity consumption and provide quality lighting on city roadways. The city also looks for creative ways to display public art with LEDs. Even a photo taken from the International Space Station (ISS) clearly shows the impact of Calgary’s transition to LED streetlights.

Based on an assessment of available technologies, LED (light emitting diode) lighting has been identified as the best-fit option for Calgary’s roads. Council has approved a city-wide retrofit of 80,000 streetlights between 2015-2018.

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Edmonton, Alberta

Lights in Edmonton, Alberta
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Edmonton’s LED Street Lighting Pilot Project has created a new movement in changing the city’s efficiency potential. The City of Edmonton initiated pilot projects to test and temporarily install energy efficient fixtures at locations across the city.

Each test area consists of 5 LED fixtures from several different manufacturers. Manufacturers are introducing LED fixtures in their line of products. As LEDs are becoming more advanced and cost effective, manufacturers and consumers are seeing that LED fixtures are the future of roadway lighting.

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Lethbridge, Alberta

LED Lethbridge
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Lethbridge replaced the luminaires in North and West Lethbridge in the Fall of 2013 and then the decorative fixtures in the downtown core. This project was completed the Spring of 2014 and incorporated 11,000 fixtures.

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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

LED Saskatoon
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Saskatoon Light & Power is installing LED lighting in new areas of the city. The fixtures use approximately 60% less energy than high pressure sodium (HPS) and significantly reduce the amount of light shining onto private property. A colour temperature of 4100K has been selected for the LED fixtures.

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We know much more about LED technology now than we did in the past few years. Not only are cities making the change, but we have made the switch ourselves. Our homes and businesses are now utilizing these benefits, and by doing so we take the next big steps in investing in our future and promoting sustainability.

Make the Switch

We have 15 reasons why you should make the switch to LED bulbs

Hesitant to spend the extra money to make the switch to LED bulbs? We’ve compiled a list of the top reasons people now use LED over conventional bulbs:

  1. Proven to have 75% in energy savings.
  2. The white light is a much nicer light on the eyes and even helps vision. If you normally use reading glasses, under white light it is very likely you won’t need them anymore.
  3. The long lifespan of the bulbs saves you money.
  4. Good for your health, without chemicals or anything harmful.
  5. LED bulbs do not produce a lot of heat, providing savings in the summer on air conditioning.
  6. The cold weather conditions will not affect the bulbs, making them great for outdoor shops.
  7. The bright 6500k is a full spectrum light, making it great for growing plants.
  8. The fluorescent bulb replacements are two and a half times brighter than most fluorescents (2 tubes for a 4 tube fixture would be enough).
  9. The bulbs are low wattage which makes it easier to live off the grid.
  10. Good for the environment, less waste.
  11. Variety of options and color temperatures.
  12. With their sleek modern style, these bulbs will fit into your home decor.
  13. Once carbon tax kicks in the benefits of going LED will be even greater.
  14. Alberta will soon offer rebate programs to those switching to LED.
  15. LEDs are the way of the future (GE Electric has recently announced they no longer are making fluorescent bulbs).

According to this list, switching over to LED bulbs is a no brainer. You will save money in the long run, improve your health and reduce the amount of energy consumed, thus reducing your carbon footprint. If you still aren’t convinced, visit us at our Edmonton store or contact us This is one small way you can do your part in helping to sustain the earth.

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