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Are you committed to living a greener, more sustainable lifestyle? Reducing your use of chemicals, recycling whenever possible, and only buying what you need can get you off to a good start. Also, technology can help you reduce your energy consumption and adhere to more environmentally friendly habits. Here we will explore some of the various types of technology that can help you lead a greener life.
Use a smart thermostat
Many of us have technology that can help save energy and money, but we don’t use it. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Energy Research & Social Science indicates that 40% of households with a programmable thermostat are not using the programmable option. If you have a programmable thermostat or a smart thermostat, you can set desired temperatures on a daily schedule. These units can be programmed to come on right before you get home, shut off soon after you fall asleep, or any other specific schedule you set up. With a smart thermostat, you can control the devices from your smartphone or even with your voice through smart assistants and smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Nest Mini. So, how much energy can you save with a programmable thermostat? According to Mysa, lowering the temperature in your home by 6 degrees for eight hours in the daytime would save you 12% on your energy bill, while lowering the temperature 4 degrees for six hours at night would save you an additional 6%.
Choose to stream your entertainment
Many people are cutting the cord on cable and satellite TV and turning to TV sticks for streaming shows and movies because of the cost savings. However, streaming devices are also generally more energy-efficient than cable boxes or DVRs. In fact, Gigaom tested a variety of streaming devices and “all of them consumed significantly less electricity than your average cable setup.” Additionally, a study from the National Resources Defense Council estimates that a typical multi-room DVR setup uses a total of 617 kWh per year while a streaming device used for the same periods of time can use merely 10 kWh annually.
Turn off electronics every night
Use the settings on your computer and monitor to force them into power-saving mode when you are not using them. Also, make it a habit to turn off all your electronic devices at night. Don’t just switch them off, but actually unplug them or use a power strip to turn off the power supply. This will save considerable electricity as many devices draw power when they are turned off but still plugged in. According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL), the average home contains 40 appliances or devices that are constantly drawing power. Another power-saving habit is to unplug your phone or laptop as soon as it’s completely charged, and also remove adapters from outlets when not in use to avoid the sapping of energy.
Stay home from work
Reducing the need for daily commutes work can make a significant impact on carbon emissions. If you are an employer, allow your employees to work from home whenever possible. If you are an employee, make the suggestion to your boss. Thanks to today’s video conferencing and online collaboration tools such as Asana, Basecamp, and Slack, the need to go into the office every day has been greatly reduced.
If you are trying to save energy, reduce CO2 emissions, and otherwise live a green life, technology can give you a hand. By utilizing some of the devices and tools available today, you can do your part to embrace sustainability, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and help promote a healthy planet.
