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Energy Consumption & Cost: How to Reduce Both While Going Green

Many people associate green living with drastic lifestyle changes or giving up modern conveniences. However, there are a number of simple ways to reduce energy costs and consumption without sacrificing comforts.

Of course, it is important to understand many of the common sources of energy loss to know where to start. This guide will show simple ways to gauge your energy consumption and ways to go green without stressing your lifestyle or budget.

Analyzing Energy Costs

When it comes to reducing energy bills, knowing the appliances and devices that consume the most power helps. Though your personal situation might vary, due to model differences and other factors, common energy hogs in the home include:

Air Conditioners and Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Heating Units
Refrigerators and Freezers
Computers and other Electronics
Lighting

Savvy Marketers Make it Easier for People to Get “Green” Cleaning Products

Just a few years ago, natural household cleaning products were almost solely restricted to the shelves of health food stores. Now, a quick browse of product offerings from mass-market retailers like Target and Walmart shows how environmentally sustainable products are becoming more like the norm, rather than hard to find.

Product Sales on the Rise

A company called Packaged Facts found that in 2011, sales of green cleaning products topped out at $640 million, a significant increase from 2007 totals of $303 million. One of the big reasons sales more than doubled in four years is likely that marketing departments realized the need for such products existed. The key was to make it easier for customers to find them without going to great lengths.

Clorox’s Existing Product Line

The Clorox Company is just one example of a well-known company that branched out and appealed to eco-friendly consumers. Their Green Works line features a full assortment of household cleaning products made from mostly natural ingredients. Whether consumers are looking for toilet bowl cleaner or all-purpose wipes, the collection has products to suit those needs, and they’re readily available in grocery stores.

Most Energy Efficient House In The World

After a long winter of freezing temperatures and rising energy bills, the average homeowner will now be pleased they can finally turn down the dial and cut their energy consumption.

However, there is still likely to be the odd cooler day, and are we really prepared to go through the same thing when winter rolls around again sometime in mid-September?

In order to combat the rising energy prices, some homeowners have been doing everything they can to make their property more efficient and cut down on excess consumption.

As well as leaving them with some extra pounds in their pocket this will also help them do their bit for the environment and the summer seems the perfect time to compound those efforts and for others to follow in the same vein.

The Winds Of Change

In the wake of new environmental initiatives that have been brought by the government, there are now much more stringent rules and regulations involved in the construction and development of properties.

Not only do all new dwellings and those proposed to be expanded need to have an SAP calculation carried out in order to determine the property’s energy performance certificate (EPC), but there are also regulations to meet regarding airtightness and air leakage.