The best thing about adapting to energy-reducing habits is that not only do you reduce your contributions to greenhouse gases that cause climate change, but you’ll save money in the process.
Generally, the goal is to lower your energy usage and make energy-efficient decisions. Also switch to electricity over fossil fuels when you can.
For example last year my New Hampshire house’s electricity was 50% nuclear powered, 25% fossil fuel powered and 25% alternative energy. Now when I ran my gas stove top, it became 100% fossil fuel (propane).
Now that we have installed rooftop solar, I can go 100% fossil fuel free for about 3/4rds of the year if I choose electric appliances over any fossil fuel-based appliances. For example, using an induction cooktop over gas and running the mini-split heat pump as much as possible over the propane furnace.
I can run my electric lawn mower during the day and not use any polluting gasoline. I can charge up my electronics during the day to maximize my use of solar energy. I can hang my laundry on the line and save a lot of energy over the electric clothes dryer. I can combine all my earnings into one trip with the car. Everything counts towards reducing one’s carbon footprint and fighting climate change.
Here are 10 easy ways you can start making a difference:
 | 1. Stop buying your water in plastic. Get a reusable water bottle and keep it filled and with you at all times. You’ll save money and the environment! |
 | 2. Incorporate walking or biking to some of your regular short-trip destinations. In most instances, you can walk a mile in less than 20 minutes. This is a great way to add exercise to your busy schedule. |
 | 3. Turn off lights and unplug devices when you’re not using them. Every little action adds up! |
 | 4. Keep the tires on your car properly inflated and get regular tune-ups. When your car’s tires are low on pressure, it has to work harder to move from point A to point B, wasting gas and increasing emissions in the process. |
 | 5. Eat more food that is grown or made locally and less red meat. Taste the difference, feel better and support the Austin economy! |
 | 6. Use the cold water cycle for washing your clothes. And do your laundry in FULL loads. This will decrease the amount of water and energy used, helping you save time and money. Bonus points for line-drying – it takes a lot of energy to power your dryer! |
 | 7. Set your thermostat to 78 in summer and 67 in winter. And turn-off the heat and AC when you’re not home. You’ll be surprised at the difference it makes in your energy bill. |
 | 8. Drive efficiently. Use the accelerator lightly, coast to red lights, stay near the speed limit, and park and go inside instead of idling your engine in a drive-thru. |
 | 9. Keep stuff out of the landfill. Sell items you no longer use to thrift shops, have a yard sale, or donate them to charity. Recycle or repurpose everything you can’t get rid of. |
 | 10. Use alternative transportation (bus, train, carpool, or bike) to get to work one day per week. Enjoy the chance to catch up on your reading instead of testing your patience in traffic! |
Next Level
Switch old-style Edison lightbulbs to LED lightbulbs – Energy-efficient LED light bulbs not only last longer than traditional lightbulbs, but they run cooler and require only 1/10 of the amount of energy to run. They might initially cost a bit more than the old kind but they are better for the environment and will save you money in the long run.
Ditch the large oven for an air fryer, toaster oven, crockpot or microwave. Ovens are typically sized for the largest expected item – a big roast or that Thanksgiving turkey. This means every time you use the oven for some french fries or a pizza, you have to warm up a very large space for a small item. Often you’ll save a lot of energy by using a smaller appliance.
Make your tea in an electric kettle – Rather than using an inefficient gas range or even an old-style electric coil stove top which takes forever to heat up, get an electric tea kettle that will heat your water faster, cleaner and more efficiently.
Switch to an induction cooktop – tax credits are available to those who switch out their old kitchen stove (gas or electric) to induction cooktops which use magnetic energy to safely heat up as fast as gas but without all of the toxic fumes they cause. You can buy a standalone portable single or double induction burner for $60 – $200 to try it out.
Buy a hybrid or EV vehicle – hybrids get much better gas mileage than ICE vehicles. EVs or electric vehicles are cheap to charge and have less long-term maintenance costs than traditional ICE vehicles. Tax incentives are available for those who make the switch.
Install a mini-split or heat pump – In-window and portable air conditioners are not very efficient. Mini-splits or heat pumps or ductless AC units can provide energy-efficient AC as well as heat!
Switch to a heat pump dryer – Heat pump dryers are coming on the market that uses 1/2 the energy of traditional dryers.