Three Household Gadgets to Help You Conserve Energy

low flow shower headThere are quite a few good reasons to focus our attention on energy conservation. The rising cost of energy provides a great financial rationale to decrease energy use. In addition, growing concern over the role our use of energy resources may play in significant existing and potential future environmental problems gives us cause to reexamine our use of energy.

Luckily, there are many easy and relatively inexpensive steps most people can take in order to decrease their energy use. There are three simple household items, for instance, that can result in impressive energy savings.

Water Heater Blankets

Specially-fitted insulated water heater covers, known as water heater blankets, provide a great low-effort way of conserving energy. By protecting and insulating the heater, less energy is required to heat water to the desired temperature. Additionally, these blankets also help the water heater to maintain appropriate water temperature without requiring frequent energy-burning warm-ups.

The water heater blanket’s appeal is in its simplicity. By simply covering one energy-using device, a household can post great energy savings. Water heaters are one of the most energy-intensive appliances in any home, and one should target them for increased conservation whenever possible. Water heater blankets are one great way to increase efficiency in this area.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Fluorescent lights were once considered only for office and large building settings due to their size. Relatively recent innovations, however, have resulted in the mass production of compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs provide a great alternative to the usual incandescent bulb we often use.

Fluorescent bulbs are not only longer-lasting than their traditional counterparts, they also us a lot less energy. Every bulb is likely to create an energy savings of thirty to sixty dollars during its lifespan. The slightly higher up front cost of fluorescent bulbs is more than compensated for by these significant savings.

Those whose motivation for conservation rests in concern for the environment should embrace the fluorescent bulb. One estimate states that each fluorescent used in place of a regular bulb will prevent nearly one half ton of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. These bulbs are another easy, no-hassle way to improve our energy use.

Low Flow Faucets and Showerheads

Believe it or not, we send a great deal of energy down the drain every single day—literally. By overusing heated water, we waste energy. You can give your water heater a break and decrease your energy use significantly by replacing existing faucets and showerheads with water-saving low-flow alternatives. For those who are not interested in doing too much plumbing, special aerators are available for many faucet types that will help decrease water use. Our waste of hot water may not be completely stopped with these gadgets, but it will be decreased.

The low-flow solution has a few other benefits, too. In addition to saving you on energy costs and being more environmentally friendly in terms of heating energy, you can also save on your water bill and increase conservation of an important natural resource. Low-flow attachments are a great way to conserve and prosper on multiple levels and should be considered for any home.

These three energy conservation solutions illustrate just how easy it is to save money and resources easily and inexpensively. None of these items will cost a fortune or require considerable time or expense installation. They are perfect examples of just how easy it can be to make a big difference.

More conservation friendly products like these do not constitute a complete solution to our over-use of energy. Even if many techniques of this sort are “stacked,” more could be done. However, every gain—even the smallest incremental improvement—can have a real impact on your family’s bottom line. Small adjustments like these can result in significant financial savings and will at least contribute to a better environment for everyone.

The next time you happen to be in a hardware store or are out shopping for light bulbs, remember some of the simple purchases you can make that will actually be energy-saving investments once put to use.

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