Whether you think of it is a fad or a movement or something else, the word “Green” is becoming more and more a part of our lives. Advertising agencies have made “green” almost ubiquitous. And that’s not just by using the word, but even the colors of advertisements are often centered on a green theme. But just what is meant by the many terms such as “Go green”, “Live green”, “Think green”, or “It pays to be green”?
Basically, it is a life-style change that is made with the goal of contributing to the betterment of the planet now and for future generations. One way that can be done is reducing your environmental impact by changing the type of and reducing how much energy you use.
This can be done by making good decisions to try becoming more energy efficient and choosing clean energy supplies. But what exactly are meant by “energy efficient” and “clean energy”?
Energy efficient - Something that is energy efficient means it delivers the same (or more) services for less energy, compared to a similar product. When a device or machine uses less energy that means power generation plants don’t have to work so hard, which reduces emissions and improves air quality.
Clean energy - This refers to fuel supplies that include renewable energy sources and clean distributed generation, such as combined heat and power. Many businesses are installing renewable energy and combined heat and power at their buildings to save them money, reduce their environmental impact, and provide greater control of their energy use.
What about you? How can you “go green”? First, we’ll point out some steps to reduce energy use in your home. Then we’ll talk about clean energy.
- When it is time to replace an appliance, whether it is a TV or a central heating and cooling system, buy Energy Star certified products.
- If you have an electronic device, such as a printer or monitor, that has a “stand-by power mode” function be sure it is activated.
- Replace your 5 most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with Energy Star certified lighting.
- Replace your standard thermostat with an Energy Star certified programmable or smart thermostat. When these types of thermostats are connected to your central heat and AC system, they can automatically adjust the temperature of your home when you are away, reducing the run-time and the amount of energy the system uses.
- Check around for programs in and around Beverly Hills, Culver City, Mar Vista, Miracle Mile, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Bel Air, Westwood, Downtown Los Angeles, Vernon, Huntington Park, Sherman Oaks, Encino either at the municipal level, or from local utility companies, to find incentives or rebates for the purchase and installation of Energy Star certified appliances, lighting, or HVAC systems.
- Seal and insulate your home to improve comfort and reduce energy costs from your furnace, air conditioning, and/or heat pump system. If you haven’t already done so, check out our 10-part series on how to make your home more energy efficient.
- When you decide to replace the windows in your home, choose an Energy Star labeled product.
Now what about “going green” in terms of using clean energy? Here are two tools provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency that can help you make a difference by using clean energy supplies:
- Use the Power Profiler tool developed by the EPA. (This link will open a new tab.) It can help you determine the specific air emissions impacts associated with your home’s electricity use.
- Visit the Green Power Partnership page for suggestions on how you can find clean energy for your home. (This link will open a new tab.)
So are you ready for “Green living”? You can do it by making sustainable choices about what you eat, how you travel, what you buy, and even how you use and dispose of what you have. Following the simple steps above can the make your home more energy efficient, and contribute to a sustainability.
But in the meantime, if you want more details specifically for your home, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We can sit down with you and help analyze your particular needs and circumstances to offer the best fit. Call GAMA Air at (310) 651-6936 or use our online form to schedule a visit at a time convenient to you for a no-obligation quote. We guarantee your satisfaction 100%.
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