Earth Day was started in the 1970 after Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, proposed a day to educate the nation about the environment using the national media. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans demonstrated for a healthy environment from coast to coast. The day aligned Democrats and Republicans. Earth Day became a global celebration in 1990 when 200 million people celebrated protecting the Earth’s environment. Here are four things you can do in your home that you can easily do to keep the planet healthy!
Change your Light Bulbs to Energy Efficient Versions
Using a compact fluorescent light bulb uses 90% less energy than an incandescent bulb. Energy Star reports that if every household in the nation changed just one light bulb to a compact fluorescent bulb, they would be able light 300 million homes for an entire year with the saved energy.
Not only will energy efficient bulbs save electricity (and money on your electric bill) but they also help with cooling your home. A normal light bulb produces 90% more heat than a fluorescent bulb!
Clean your Appliances Regularly
Properly maintaining your appliances keeps them running longer. Appliances that aren't maintained as per the manufacturers' suggestions accumulate dirt and dust. This makes your appliances work harder than they need to, using up more energy and costing you more money in the long run.
When you clean your appliances, they use less energy. For example, cleaning your dryer by vacuuming out lint from the connector hose, lint trap, and around the vent area of your home can help the dryer dry your clothes faster, which saves energy … and money! By not cleaning out the lint in your dryer, you can reduce its efficiency by up to 75%!
Want to save some money on your next electrical bill? You can increase a refrigerator’s energy efficiency by 30% by cleaning the coils. Use Landmark’s how-to article to learn the best methods of vacuuming the condenser coils of your fridge here.
Replace your HVAC filters Monthly
When your HVAC system is heating or cooling your home, it cleans the air by drawing it through a filter to trap dirt and pollen. The more you use your HVAC system, the dirtier your filters become, and the harder your HVAC systems has to work to cool or heat the air in your house. The harder your system works, the more energy it consumes, which can spell trouble for the planet and your wallet. By changing (or cleaning) your HVAC filters once a month you can save anywhere between 5-15% on your utilities, according to Angie’s List! You can read Landmark’s step-by-step guide on how to clean or replace your HVAC filters (and how to choose the best filter for your HVAC unit.)
Get a Home Warranty
A home warranty can save you money ... and help to save the planet. When your home's appliances and systems fail and you have a home warranty plan, you only pay a small service call fee to repair or replace them as long as they've failed from normal wear and tear. If you have to replace your systems or appliances, you will be given new models, which are more energy efficient. If you want to be able to purchase a particular energy-efficient model, you can always ask for cash-in-lieu of a replacement. With home warranties, you can save money on your repairs and replacements and on your energy bills with more efficient systems and appliances.
For more information on home warranties, and how you can help celebrate Earth Day with a home warranty, go to www.landmarkhw.com.